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!
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!
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!
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!
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
- 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 but not mushy. 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.
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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! 🙂
Curried Red Lentil Soup Recipe
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Equipment
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
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.
Sandra Black
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
Neil
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.
mimi rippee
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.
Neil
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!
David @ Spiced
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!
Neil
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. 🙂
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef
I like most lentil dishes and your soup looks wonderful. I have to try it. Thank you for the recipe.
Neil
Thanks you Gerlinde I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Easyfoodsmith
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.
Neil
Lentils are definitely a staple here in our house in Scotland too. Thank for your comment! 🙂
Ashika | Gardening Foodie
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.
Neil
Glad you're adding this to your list Ashika! Thanks for taking the time to comment and rate my recipe. 🙂
Ron
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.
Neil
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. 🙂
Laura
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!
Neil
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!
Jeff the Chef
What a beautiful looking soup! I guess it's the color, but I really want to add corn to it!
Neil
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?
Evelyn @ Good and Evo
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.
Neil
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! 🙂