Name: Easy curry red lentil soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil (or any neutral flavored oil); 1/2 onion (chopped small); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 cup dried red lentils (rinsed); 2 1/2 cups water; 2 teaspoons curry powder (+ more if desired); 1/4 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon coriander; Generous pinch of salt; Chopped cilantro (optional garnish)

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Even when your pantry is bare, you probably have all the ingredients you need for this flavorful curry red lentil soup.

It uses just 10 ingredients!

It’s a vegan, gluten-free, 1-pot meal that is easy to make. Ready in 25 to 30 minutes!

Bowls of curry red lentil soup on table by crackers.

Curry red lentil soup is one of my favorite inexpensive, pantry-friendly meals.

This 10 ingredient soup is made with simple ingredients like:

Red lentils
Garlic
Onions
Spices
Cilantro for garnish

From start to finish, it’s ready in about 25 minutes.

The red lentils add protein & staying power. Plus, they feel so satisfyingly creamy in the mouth.

This easy soup is great for meal planning. It just gets better with time as the flavors develop and meld.

In this post:

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Why red lentils?
Where to find red lentils?
Which curry powder should I use?
Step by step instructions
Make it your own
Serving ideas
Storage & reheating
📖 Recipe

Why red lentils?

I like to use red lentils in this soup, as opposed to other types of lentils, for two reasons.

They cook in a lot less time than other lentils.
They have a wonderful, filling texture. As the lentils cook, they break down, giving the soup a hearty, full body.

Where to find red lentils?

You can find red lentils in Indian grocery stores, the bulk bins of natural grocery stores, or at Trader Joe’s sold in small resealable bags.

Split red lentils (as opposed to whole) are most commonly sold, and that’s what you want to use here.

You want dried lentils, not canned.

Look for small, reddish orange discs that aren’t broken or damaged.

When you get home, you’ll want to sort through the lentils to remove any wayward pebbles or debris inside.

Then give them a rinse. And you’re good to go.

Which curry powder should I use?

Bowls of curry red lentil soup by cilantro and crackers.

I have several favorites that work well in this soup.

Penzey’s hot curry powder
Sweet curry powder (Pick the one that fits the best for your preferred heat level.)
S&B

Try one of these. Or if you have a preferred curry powder, use that instead!

Keep in mind that curry powders are spice blends. So they vary in terms of heat & intensity.

Start with a smaller amount. You can always add more if you’d like a stronger curry flavor.

Step by step instructions

Here’s how to make this recipe at a glance. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.

Red lentils soup on the stove before the lentils have disintegrated.

Sauté onions and garlic in a soup pot with oil.

Once they are softened and fragrant, add the following:

Water
Red lentils
Curry powder
Coriander
Cumin
Salt

Bring the water to a simmer.

Then lower the heat, and cover the pot with a lid.

Let the soup cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the lentils are soft and starting to lose their form.

Red lentil soup on stove after lentils have disintegrated.

Serve in bowls.

Garnish with chopped cilantro, if you like.

Make it your own

You can easily make this soup your own by varying the ingredients or amounts.

For a spicier soup, add chopped chilies at the same time as the garlic and onions. Or add a pinch of cayenne with the other spices.
If you’re a ginger fan, add grated ginger with the garlic and onions
Add more vegetables like chopped carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, potatoes
Vary the type & amount of curry powder for more or less intensity
Replace the water with vegetable broth
Replace some of the water with coconut milk for fat, body, and flavor

Serving ideas

Serve red lentil soup with any of the following:

Crackers
Bread
Brown rice
Vegan roti or naan
Croutons
Mixed vegetable ginger & turmeric rice

Storage & reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

It will keep for about 4 days.

Reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.

Curried red lentil soup in large white mugs, topped with cilantro.

📖 Recipe

Content updated October 28, 2022. Originally posted April 14, 2015.

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