Coconut Curry Lentil with Spinach (Printable)

Creamy coconut milk, warming curry spices, tender lentils, and fresh spinach create this comforting, nourishing soup perfect for any season.

# What You'll Need:

→ Lentils and Legumes

01 - 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed

→ Aromatics and Vegetables

02 - 1 tablespoon coconut oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
06 - 2 medium carrots, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Spices

08 - 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
11 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Liquids

14 - 1 (14-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
15 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Greens

16 - 4 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Finishing

17 - Juice of 1 lime
18 - Fresh cilantro, for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat coconut oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add carrots and red bell pepper; sauté for another 3 minutes.
04 - Sprinkle in curry powder, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute to toast spices.
05 - Add rinsed lentils, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.
06 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until lentils are tender and vegetables are soft.
07 - Stir in spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
08 - Remove from heat, add lime juice, and adjust seasoning to taste.
09 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The coconut milk makes it incredibly creamy without any dairy
  • It freezes beautifully so you can meal prep for lazy days
02 -
  • Red lentils cook faster than other varieties and become creamy, which is perfect here
  • The soup thickens as it sits, so add a splash of water when reheating leftovers
  • Lime juice is not optional, it's what makes all the flavors pop
03 -
  • Rinse your lentils in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear
  • Taste your curry powder first, as some brands are saltier than others

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