Warm up this fall with a bowl full of easy lentil potato curry! It’s hearty, filling, and so warming! Your family will love this tasty, allergy friendly dish.
Are you ready for fall and winter comfort food? Has it cooled down where you live?
All of a sudden, it is very chilly here in Michigan, and I am ready for some warming soups and curries. We made this easy lentil potato curry this weekend, and it was a delicious way to welcome the colder weather.
This is a great curry recipe to make for your family, because it isn’t super spicy, and it’s very easy to adjust the spice level. If you want to make it even milder, you can reduce the amount of curry powder.
If potatoes don’t work for your diet, you can leave them out, or add something else in their place. Try cubed butternut squash or eggplant.
How to make potato lentil curry:
- Cook the onions until tender, then add the lentils, potatoes, and 4 cups water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, coconut cream, spices, and spinach. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve over your choice of rice.
Can I use any type of lentil in this curry recipe?
I used green lentils for this recipe, because they are widely available, and easy to find at a regular grocery store. You could use French green lentils or black lentils if you prefer.
Red lentils take very little time to cook, so I don’t think they are the best choice for this recipe. They will be done before the potatoes will be tender, and the red lentils would turn to mush.
What is the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream?
Coconut cream is much thicker than coconut milk. Each can of coconut milk does have coconut cream in it, however. It’s the thick white stuff that separates from the coconut water.
If you only have canned coconut milk, you can use that. Just refrigerate it for at least 4 hours so you can drain off the coconut water before using.
Creamed coconut is sweetened, and you don’t want that for this recipe. Read more about the difference between these products here.
What can I use instead of spinach in this curry recipe?
You can use kale, or you can even use green peas or broccoli if you like. Be creative! You really can’t mess up this easy recipe.
What to serve with this lentil potato curry:
- a green salad
- gluten free bread or gluten free crackers
- curry stuffed mushrooms
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Easy Lentil Potato Curry (Vegan, Gluten Free).
This easy lentil potato curry is a hearty meal that will warm you up on a cold night!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet onion diced
- 4 small Yukon Gold Potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 cup green lentils picked over and rinsed
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
- 14 ounces coconut cream
- 1 cup frozen chopped spinach
- 3 ½ teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 ½ teaspoons garam masala
- ½ Tablespoon sugar
- Jasmine rice for serving or Brown Basmati Rice You could also use cauliflower rice for a grain free option
Instructions
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Place the chopped onion and the olive oil in a large pot and cook over medium heat.
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While the onion softens, peel and chop the potatoes, then add to the pot.
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Pick over and rinse the lentils, then add to the pot. Add 4 cups of water and raise the heat to high.
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Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
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Add the tomato sauce, coconut cream, sugar, frozen spinach, and spices. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer again.
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Simmer for about 15 minutes.
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Add more salt if desired.
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Serve over your choice of rice - Basmati, brown, cauliflower rice, or even quinoa.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition facts do not include rice - they are for curry only.
Serving size is about ¾ cup or so.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
If you’re looking for more dinner inspiration, check out these dairy free gluten free dinner recipes.
Marion
Made this tonight, absolutely loved it thank you. I used fresh baby spinach just added right at the end, served it with coconut rice and made some naan bread to go with it. Super filling and easy on the budget, fed 3 adults with enough left over to freeze 2 portions also. Will be a regular cold weather meal.
Kelly Roenicke
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know!
Shannon
What kind of tomato sauce like canned chopped tomatoes or like Heinz tomato sauce?
Kelly Roenicke
Canned tomato sauce is what will work best here!
Rebecca Culley-Healey
This was amazing, Kelly! I presoaked my lentils, so next time, I would add less water. Second day it was nice and thick though. It was a hit even with all my daughter and her teenaged friends. I also swapped out the spinach for frozen peas, and it was really good. I will be making this lots this winter, I can already tell.
Kelly Roenicke
Yay! I’m so glad you liked this! Thanks for letting me know, Rebecca! :)
Damita Jo
Simple and delicious!
This was a big hit. I got a couple picky eaters and they actually liked this meal. I made some naan bread to go with. I have made this a weekly staple for the cold months.
A meal we can all eat as a family. Thanks
Nicole
Can you make this with precooked lentils?
Kelly Roenicke
I think you could, but I haven’t tried that.
Lorraine
I tried this recipe last night and had to have seconds. Amazing!! I used split red lentils because they were all I had in the cupboard but added them later to avoid mushiness. I’ve recommended it to a friend. Thank you.
Luc M.
Fantastic recipe: tastes incredible and was very easy to make. Perfect for meal prep, too!! I added sliced tomatoes to mine :)
Katie
Delicious recipe!