Turmeric-Spiced Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-12 · Updated 2026-04-12

A warming, creamy soup featuring earthy turmeric lentils simmered with coconut milk and fresh herbs. This Indian-inspired soup recipe (vegan, gluten-free), ready in about 65 minutes, pairs brown lentils, coconut milk, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown lentils
• 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
• 2 medium carrots
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse lentils under cold water until water runs clear, then drain.
2. Step 2: Finely chop onion and carrots, then mince garlic.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add onion, carrots, and garlic; cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent.
5. Step 5: Stir in turmeric powder and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
6. Step 6: Add rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until lentils are tender.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth (or carefully transfer to a blender in batches).
8. Step 8: Return soup to pot, stir in coconut milk, and heat gently for 5 minutes without boiling.
9. Step 9: Stir in fresh cilantro and lime juice. Taste and adjust salt if needed before serving.