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    Home » Recipes » Lunch » Soup

    Curried Red Lentil Soup

    Published: Jan 24, 2019 · Updated: Jan 25, 2022 by Neil 20 Comments

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    Close up of a bowl of curried red lentil soup garnished with chopped coriander. Pin title text overlay at top.
    Curried red lentil soup is a tasty soul warming soup that can be on the table in just one hour! This heart healthy soup serves 4 and is easy to make too! #neilshealthymeals #recipe #soup #healthy #lentil

    Curried red lentil soup is a tasty soul warming soup that can be on the table in just one hour! This heart healthy soup serves 4 and is easy to make too!

    Two delicious bowls of curried red lentil soup with a selection of spices in seperate bowls in between.

    Folks, if you're feeling in need of a bowl of soup that gives you a hug then this curried red lentil soup is just the thing!

    This is a tasty and filling, yet delicately spiced bowl of nourishment.

    Easy to make and made with basic healthy ingredients this red lentil soup doesn't cost a lot either.

    If you've just returned from a holiday like we have, or are still feeling the pinch in January then you'll definitely want to add this to your list of favourite basic budget soups!

    A bowl of tasty looking curried red lentil soup sitting in front of small dishes of the spices that are ingredients of this amazing soup.

    If you've often wondered can I add curry to lentil soup? Well the simple answer is yes, and this curried lentil soup proves it!

    This is a deliciously nourishing gluten-free vegetarian curried red lentil soup made with all store cupboard ingredients.

    You can easily substitute the milk with a vegan variety if you want to make this a simple vegan lentil soup too!

    Everything about this soup is amazing. It's extremely nutritious as well as being low in fat and high in protein and fibre.

    I know you're just going to love it!

    Closeup of bowl of currued red lentil soup. Looks delicious and ready to eat!

    As I mentioned, we've just returned from a wonderful one week winter break in Cape Verde.

    There was no mountain climbing this time, unlike our epic trip last year climbing Mount Kilimanjaro!

    Nope! Not this time it was all about relaxing.

    Whilst we did take a one day trip around the island, the rest of our time was spent lying by a pool, reading our books, sipping cocktails and discussing what food we were going to have at the next meal from the amazing buffet!

    We do have some more amazing travel adventures planned for later this year though.

    In fact we're booked up to explore some of the mountain areas in the tropical island of Bali. As well as a three day stopover at Hong Kong first.

    Oh and we're doing The Cumbria Way in May. That's first.

    But anyway, more later in the year about that.........

    Back to this tasty curried red lentil soup.

    I'll just say that when you go from temperatures of near 27 degrees C, to near zero and snow after a 6 hour flight you crave warm comforting food.

    All I could think of as the cold winter climate of Britain took its hold on me when we stepped off the aircraft was a bowl of this thick and heartening curried red lentil soup!

    Birds eye view of curried red lentil soup with individual spices in small bowls in between.

    Why This Curried Red Lentil Soup Is Good For You

    • Lentils are packed with protein and have less saturated fat and cholesterol than beef, poultry or fish. This is said to make them a better protein choice.
    • Protein isn't the only nutritional benefit you'll receive when eating lentils though. They're also packed with vital minerals like iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, folate and niacin.
    • Lentils are also rich in soluble fibre, which can help to reduce or prevent high blood cholesterol levels.

    Step By Step How To Make Curried Lentil Soup

    1. Gently heat the oil in a large soup pot and add the onion and celery to soften it, stirring occasionally for about 2 – 3 minutes. Then stir in the carrot and garlic for a further 1 minute.
    2. Add the salt, curry powder, turmeric, cumin and chilli flakes with a few grinds of black pepper. Stir to combine all.
    3. Add the lentils and vegetable stock.
    4. Stir well, bring to the boil and turn down to simmer gently for 20 –25 minutes until all the mixture is completely softened but not mushy. Remove from the heat.
    5. When the soup has cooled a little stir in the milk and season to taste.
    6. Serve in bowls, garnished with the coriander.

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    Other Popular Lentil Based Soup Recipes You Might Also Like

    • Healthy carrot and lentil soup is a simple, tasty and filling bowl of deliciousness! Vegan and gluten free, it takes just a few budget ingredients and spices to create this hearty quick healthy soup!
    • Sweet potato and red lentil soup is a delicious and easy recipe. This healthy vegan and gluten free soup is a perfect filler that never fails to please.
    • Easy Scottish lentil soup is the authentic healthy red lentil soup from Scotland. This simple soup is filling, comforting and perfect for cold weather days!

    Curried Red Lentil Soup Recipe

    Not only is this soup extremely healthy and low calorie but you'll find the smell of it whilst it's cooking intoxicating!

    To keep the red lentils from getting mushy make sure you don't over boil them. Just simmer gently on a low heat until they're tender.

    To store this soup allow it to cool completely first then you can keep it in an air tight container for up to 5 days.

    This soup can be frozen. I recommend portioning into individual containers then freezing.

    You should allow the soup to defrost completely before reheating either on your stovetop or in the microwave.

    I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂

    Closeup of bowl of currued red lentil soup. Looks delicious and ready to eat!
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    5 from 10 votes

    Curried Red Lentil Soup Recipe

    Curried red lentil soup is a tasty soul warming soup that can be on the table in just one hour! This heart healthy soup serves 4 and is easy to make too!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Lunch
    Cuisine: British
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 302kcal
    Author: Neil

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    Equipment

    • Saucepans
    • Kitchen scale
    • Chopping board
    • Kitchen knives
    • Garlic press
    • Peeler
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring jug
    • Wooden spoon

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 onion finely diced
    • 1 stick celery finely diced
    • 2 medium carrots peeled and coarsely grated
    • 2 cloves garlic crushed
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons medium curry powder
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • Pinch chilli flakes
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • 200 g red split lentils
    • 1 L vegetable stock
    • 125 ml milk
    • 1 tablespoon coriander freshly chopped
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Gently heat the oil in a large soup pot and add the onion and celery to soften it, stirring occasionally for about 2 – 3 minutes. Then stir in the carrot and garlic for a further 1 minute.
    • Add the salt, curry powder, turmeric, cumin and chilli flakes with a few grinds of black pepper. Stir to combine all.
    • Add the lentils and vegetable stock
    • Stir well, bring to the boil and turn down to simmer gently for 20 –25 minutes until all the mixture is completely softened. Remove from the heat.
    • When the soup has cooled a little stir in the milk and season to taste.
    • Serve in bowls, garnished with the coriander.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 1331mg | Potassium: 700mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 5725IU | Vitamin C: 9.1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 4.7mg

    Nutrition Facts
    Curried Red Lentil Soup
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 302 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Cholesterol 3mg1%
    Sodium 1331mg58%
    Potassium 700mg20%
    Carbohydrates 41g14%
    Fiber 16g67%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 14g28%
    Vitamin A 5725IU115%
    Vitamin C 9.1mg11%
    Calcium 92mg9%
    Iron 4.7mg26%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Related

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandra Black

      January 24, 2019 at 2:30 pm

      Hi Neil

      This sounds wonderful. The only problem I have is that, after a bout of bowel cancer I can’t eat lentils. In fact really sadly I’m a little bit limited on the pulse front. I can eat split peas though (and did your lovely yellow split pea and ham soup with the leftover Christmas ham!) so do you think this recipe would work with yellow split peas?

      Kind regards

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 24, 2019 at 7:08 pm

        Hi Sandra, thanks so much for your kind comments. I'm really glad that you enjoyed my yellow split pea and ham soup recipe, it does make a good recipe for using up that Christmas ham doesn't it? 🙂

        Regarding using yellow split peas for this recipe I'm really not sure. I wouldn't want to advise incorrectly so I would say you'll need to try it out yourself to be sure. I haven't tried it with any other pulses other than red split lentils. Sorry.

        Reply
    2. mimi rippee

      January 24, 2019 at 3:28 pm

      This is really lovely. And I happen to have some red lentils in my pantry! I've ordered a new curry powder blend. When I made the Cafe de Paris butter I realized that my go-to curry powder has too much turmeric in it.

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 24, 2019 at 7:17 pm

        5 stars
        Thanks Mimi. Yes I've made a few accidents in my time where I've put too much turmeric in recipes. It's annoying when you have to start all over again on a recipe just because you've added too much of one ingredient!

        Reply
    3. David @ Spiced

      January 25, 2019 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      Sounds like you've already got a fun year of travel on the books, Neil. I can't wait to follow along! In the meantime, though, it's bitterly cold here and the thought of a bowl of hot lentil soup sounds awesome right now! In fact, I just discovered a bag of lentils in our pantry. I think I know how to use it now! Hope you have a delicious weekend ahead, my friend!

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 25, 2019 at 4:10 pm

        Thanks David. I know we're just back from Cape Verde but we're both already itching to get away in May on our Cumbria Way walk! I have been feasting on bowls of this soup since returning. Fortunately I made a batch before we went away and stuck it in the freezer. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef

      January 26, 2019 at 4:06 am

      5 stars
      I like most lentil dishes and your soup looks wonderful. I have to try it. Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 26, 2019 at 6:04 am

        Thanks you Gerlinde I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Easyfoodsmith

      January 26, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      The weather is perfect for a bowl of lentil soup although we Indians need no reason to make lentils or pulses coz we make them all through the year irrespective of the weather. It is staple of sorts.

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 26, 2019 at 5:14 pm

        Lentils are definitely a staple here in our house in Scotland too. Thank for your comment! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Ashika | Gardening Foodie

      January 27, 2019 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      Neil, I love soups. Give me a bowl of soup any day and I love it. This one is definitely going to be added to my list, it looks so delicious and the absolute comfort food.

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 27, 2019 at 2:29 pm

        Glad you're adding this to your list Ashika! Thanks for taking the time to comment and rate my recipe. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Ron

      January 27, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      5 stars
      Cape Verde must be lovely now. I traveled there in the early 80s and it was not so developed. Perhaps it's time to give it another go. One thing for sure though, that's a fine looking soup. Lentils are eaten often in our house and a quick recipe like yours suits our needs well.

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 28, 2019 at 4:35 am

        We loved Cape Verde Ron. The people were really friendly and trying hard to improve their lives by welcoming sustainable tourism. We visited the island of Sal but we hope to do Boa Vista next time. If you've lentils in the house then this recipe is one to keep to hand. Thanks again for your comment and recipe rating Ron. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Laura

      January 28, 2019 at 6:56 pm

      5 stars
      I love red lentils! And I always appreciate a new recipe to use them. Your spices are the ones most often used in my spice drawer. Can’t wait to try this - it looks so hearty and warming!

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 29, 2019 at 4:57 am

        Lentils are just the perfect versatile ingredient aren't they Laura? So much you can do with them! I hope you get a chance to make and enjoy this soup. And thanks for taking the time to rate and comment on my recipe!

        Reply
    9. Jeff the Chef

      January 29, 2019 at 5:18 am

      5 stars
      What a beautiful looking soup! I guess it's the color, but I really want to add corn to it!

      Reply
      • Neil

        January 29, 2019 at 8:09 am

        Adding corn to this soup sounds like a great idea Jeff. I like it! That would add a lovely little "crunch" to it wouldn't it?

        Reply
    10. Evelyn @ Good and Evo

      February 25, 2019 at 3:53 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing. I've been trying to add more legumes and lentils to my diet and curry is a great way to go. I love how great the curry was when we visited the U.K., but can't seem to find anything similar stateside.

      Reply
      • Neil

        February 25, 2019 at 4:39 am

        Thanks Evelyn. I'm sorry that you can't find anything stateside. Maybe you'll just have you give your own curried soup a go? This one is nice and simple and I think you would love it! 🙂

        Reply

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