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Home » Dairy Free » Slow Cooker Lentil Curry.

Slow Cooker Lentil Curry.

Sep 18, 2015 · Modified: Apr 20, 2018 by Kelly Roenicke · 88 Comments

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Lentils slow cooked in a rich coconut cream sauce - this simple recipe is perfect for chilly days!

Slow cooker lentil curry is easily made with simple ingredients. This hearty vegan dish is a crowd pleaser!

slow cooker lentil curry

Yesterday I made the mistake of wandering into the Target dollar spot. It started out innocently enough, with my son saying, “Look, Star Wars stuff!” And then I don’t know what happened, but I blinked and my cart was full of burlap banners, glittered fall leaf banners, Halloween baker’s twine, wooden haunted houses, felt pumpkins, and twinkle lights. Oops.

Of course we had to come home and decorate, and then guess what Darryl came home with? Mini pumpkins.

It’s officially fall in the Roenicke household. :) So we may as well embrace it and bust out the slow cooker recipes.

dairy free lentil curry

This slow cooker lentil curry is one of those recipes that I just kind of threw together one day that turned into one of our favorite family meals. It’s hearty, because of the lentils, and full of flavor from the tomato paste, coconut milk, and spices.

When I made this for the first time, it was one of those situations where you can’t stop eating…just a little more, and a little more, just a spoonful of sauce…it’s hard to walk away from. So don’t say I didn’t warn you!

french green lentils

I used half regular green lentils and half French green lentils because that’s what I had in the pantry. You could use just green lentils, or just French green lentils, or even black (Beluga) lentils. If you use black lentils it may take a little bit longer to cook. I would not recommend using red lentils in this slow cooker lentil curry recipe, because they will just turn to mush.

This slow cooker lentil curry is:

  • family friendly
  • free of the top 8 allergens
  • the perfect easy weeknight meal
  • a simple, tasty vegan dinner

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Lentils slow cooked in a rich coconut cream sauce - this simple recipe is perfect for chilly days!
4.96 from 23 votes
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Slow Cooker Lentil Curry.

Healthy lentils cooked in a rich coconut cream curry sauce - this slow cooker lentil curry is a comforting dish for chilly nights!

Course Entree
Cuisine Dairy Free, gluten free, vegan., Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 376 kcal
Author Kelly Roenicke

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion diced - you could also use a yellow onion
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 yellow pepper diced
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ cups green lentils or French green lentils
  • 3 Tablespoons tomato paste or ⅓ cup tomato sauce
  • 1 can full fat coconut milk
  • 3 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • Jasmine rice for serving or Brown Basmati Rice

Instructions

  1. Place the red onion, minced garlic, diced pepper, and olive oil in the slow cooker.
  2. Pick over and rinse the lentils and add to the slow cooker.

  3. Add all the other ingredients and stir.
  4. Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 ½ - 5 hours. Check periodically and add more liquid if needed.
  5. Serve over Jasmine rice.

Recipe Notes

Since models of slow cookers vary, your cooking time may be longer or shorter.

Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Lentil Curry.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 376 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 14g88%
Sodium 664mg29%
Potassium 768mg22%
Carbohydrates 36g12%
Fiber 15g63%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 190IU4%
Vitamin C 42.7mg52%
Calcium 61mg6%
Iron 6.6mg37%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Feel free to customize this lentil curry. If you don’t have a red onion, try a sweet onion or white onion. No fresh garlic? Add some garlic powder. This is a very forgiving recipe.

This recipe is such a favorite in our house that it’s even requested for birthday dinners. If you want to try another easy curry recipe, try this spinach aloo palak.
dairy free lentil curry recipe

Have you gotten out the slow cooker yet? What are you making?

 

 

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Filed Under: Dairy Free, food, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, Recipes, Vegan Tagged With: Dairy Free, easy recipe, Egg Free, Fish Free, Gluten Free, Peanut Free, Sesame Free, Shellfish Free, Soy Free, top 8 allergy free recipe, Tree Nut Free

  • Author
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Kelly Roenicke
Kelly Roenicke
Mom to two boys with food allergies and sensitivities, Kelly is passionate about allergy friendly cooking and baking. She believes that you can enjoy amazing, easy recipes even when cooking for multiple food allergies.
Kelly Roenicke
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Patricia

    March 12, 2017 at 8:44 am

    Hi there, I’m very tempted to try this recipe but don’t own a slow cooker. Would you have any tips on cooking on a normal electric stove? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      March 13, 2017 at 11:22 am

      It should work fine on the stove. I would cook the onions with olive oil until softened, then add the other ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. It will probably take about 40 minutes or so to cook.

      Reply
  2. Andrew M-C

    March 11, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    5 stars
    Incredible. I was concerned about cooking the green lentils from dry (as opposed to soaking over night). I’ve never heard of that before. I needn’t have been. I ended up adding about another cup of water in the cooking process. Otherwise, I followed the recipe to the letter. Everyone in the family ate it up. This is definitely going in our regular rotation. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      March 11, 2017 at 8:06 pm

      Wonderful, I’m so happy you liked it! Thank you for letting me know!

      Reply
  3. Kaleigh

    August 12, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    Just wanted to stop by and say this was delicious! It will be a new staple for me. Thank you :)

    Reply
    • Kelly

      August 16, 2016 at 9:06 am

      Awesome! So glad to hear it!

      Reply
  4. Kaity

    July 05, 2016 at 11:40 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for the great recipe. I have it going in the slow cooker right now. I’ve made it several times. It it one of our favorites.

    Reply
  5. Karen G.

    June 08, 2016 at 9:14 am

    5 stars
    Hi, I just discovered your recipe and decided to try it since I needed to prepare something before leaving the house, and what is better for that than a slow cooker right?… well I followed your instructions and your ingredients exactly as you described and the results were amazing! This will become my go-to lentils recipe… I just wanted to leave my comment so you know how much I appreciated your recipe.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      June 09, 2016 at 10:50 am

      Thank you so much for letting me know! I’m so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  6. Mel

    March 03, 2016 at 2:15 pm

    This is the most delicious, easiest meal I’ve ever made. My family was raving and keep begging for it. And I’m happy to oblige, because it takes just a few inexpensive ingredients being dumped into a pot and I’m on with my day! I live alone, too – my family just happened to be over for dinner – so one pot lasts me quite a few meals. I’m going to make it again tonight and get double ingredients for next week!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      March 05, 2016 at 5:00 pm

      Thank you so much for letting me know! I am just thrilled that you love it! We really like this meal too! :)

      Reply
  7. Sarah

    February 23, 2016 at 9:55 am

    This recipe is so good, it’s become a staple here. Adding sweet potatoes to it tomorrow night to switch it up. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      February 24, 2016 at 9:27 pm

      So glad you enjoy it! Sweet potatoes sound like a nice addition!

      Reply
  8. Kamaile

    February 19, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    This looks amazing! Does it do well in the freezer?

    Reply
    • Kelly

      February 22, 2016 at 4:01 pm

      I have never tried freezing it, so I don’t know. Sorry!

      Reply
    • Krista Burdine

      January 09, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      YES it does! I’ve done it several times, and it’s perfect. I just wait to add the water until I put it in the slow cooker. Ideally I thaw it overnight, but it also works fine with just a couple hours thawing on the counter. It may add 30 minutes to 1 hr to the cooking time.

      Reply
      • Kelly Roenicke

        January 09, 2018 at 4:29 pm

        So glad to hear that!

        Reply
  9. Leah W.

    January 31, 2016 at 4:43 pm

    This is a fanatic recipe but cooking on low didn’t work very well for me. I ended up having to sauté for an additional 30-ish minutes after turning it up to high on hour 3. I’m trying again tonight on high for 4 hours. Fingers crossed!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      February 03, 2016 at 11:47 am

      I hope it worked out for you!

      Reply
  10. Cyndee

    December 08, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Can this be cooked on high, to cook faster?

    Reply
    • Kelly

      December 11, 2015 at 10:42 am

      Yes, just watch it, make sure the liquid level doesn’t get too low.

      Reply
  11. Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven

    September 21, 2015 at 7:54 am

    You’ve seriously got me craving lentils and curry right now, Kelly! This looks so cozy and comforting and I love that it’s made entirely in the crockpot!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      September 21, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Thanks, Sarah!

      Reply
  12. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    September 21, 2015 at 7:19 am

    I could shop at Target every day, it’s just too dangerous! This curry looks fantastic, Kelly! I’ve never made this in the slow cooker before, so I can only imagine how delicious it is!

    Reply
  13. whiskandshout

    September 18, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    This looks so comforting! Delicious :)

    Reply
    • Kelly

      September 21, 2015 at 6:13 pm

      Thanks, Medha!

      Reply
  14. danicaliforniacooks

    September 18, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    I’m always looking for more vegetarian slow cooker recipes!!

    Reply
  15. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely

    September 18, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    The dollar stop at Target is so dangerous! I go a little overboard there too. But hey, it’s only $1! This lentil curry sounds delicious. Love that it’s slow cooker.

    Reply
    • Kelly

      September 21, 2015 at 6:14 pm

      Thanks, Natalie!

      Reply
  16. Strength and Sunshine

    September 18, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Bring on the curry! And fall apparently :P It’s here and here to stay…even though I don’t want it!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      September 21, 2015 at 6:15 pm

      I know, it’s here to stay I guess!

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Trackbacks

  1. On Our Plates: January says:
    January 24, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    […] Slow Cooker Lentil Curry– this recipe is super easy to put together in the slow cooker and the wait is worth it as the simmering lentils fill your house with an incredible aroma- serve over basmati rice (preferably brown) and some sauteed greens or frozen peas or green beans (recipe: http://theprettybee.com/2015/09/slow-cooker-lentil-curry.html) […]

    Reply
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Hi! I'm Kelly, and I believe that you can enjoy amazing, easy recipes even when cooking for multiple food allergies.

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