Slow cooker lentil curry is easily made with simple ingredients. This hearty vegan dish is a crowd pleaser!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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
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Place the red onion, minced garlic, diced pepper, and olive oil in the slow cooker.
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Pick over and rinse the lentils and add to the slow cooker.
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Add all the other ingredients and stir.
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Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 ½ - 5 hours. Check periodically and add more liquid if needed.
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Serve over Jasmine rice.
Recipe Notes
Since models of slow cookers vary, your cooking time may be longer or shorter.
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.
Have you gotten out the slow cooker yet? What are you making?
Lizzie Adelman
I love this recipe! I make it all of the time, and I’ve recommended it to many friends/family members. It is easy to prepare and always tastes delicious. :)
Kelly Roenicke
Yay! So happy to hear that!
Claudia
Made this before and loved it!
I only have red split lentils in the cupboard today will these work the same?
Cienega
My question too! Did it work?
Kailin
I love this recipe! Can it be made as is in an instant pot?
Michelle
I would like to make this, but my children don’t like any spicy food (the best they will eat is butter chicken).
Could you tell me how spicy this is? and can the amount of spices be reduced?
GrammaB
This is actually pretty mild, depending on the curry you use. and cut back a little on the ginger if your kids are really sensitive. The coconut milk helps mellow things out.
Ashley H
Garam Masada and curry powder do not contain heat ingredients.
Hannah
Hi Kelly, thanks for the delicious, hearty, and simple recipe.
I just have a quick question – is the calorie total per serving (376kcal) with or without rice?
Thanks!
Hannah
Kelly Roenicke
The nutrition facts are for the curry only, no rice.
Sarah
How much is a serving? 1 cup?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, about that!
Jill
Actually amazing
Peri
I loved making this so healthy and nutritious I added a fresh green chilli for an extra kick absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Christina Slotin
Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe! Its become one of our family favorites!!
jacqui
Made this last night and it was lovely. Going to have whats left with steamed fish tonight, Thank you
Maxine
Going to try this recipe this week. It looks delicious! Would like to avoid using sugar. Can I simply leave this ingredient out or would you recommend a substitute?
Kelly Roenicke
You could leave it out!
Rachel
I love Indian food and thought this recipe looked great. I had never tried lentils before and they are going to be something I cook with often now. I’m a vegetarian and my boyfriend is not, but he was crazy about the dish too! Great recipe, very happy with the results. Thanks!
Chessie
Have to try this!
Funny that you associate slow cookers with fall. IMO, summer is the perfect season to get out the Crockpot because it doesn’t heat up the kitchen.
Thanks for this great recipe.
Kelly Roenicke
That’s a good point!
Susan Smith
Will reduced fat coconut milk work?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, it just won’t be quite as creamy.
Dominique
Did you pre-soak your lentils? Or just placed the dry lentils straight into the crock-pot?
Kelly Roenicke
Just put the dry lentils in the crock pot! After rinsing and picking them over first.
Krista Burdine
I realize I am late to the party for this recipe, and I don’t normally comment. However, you need to know that this is the favorite recipe I have ever tried on my family. It’s everything. It has my whole family eating lentils, something we NEVER. EVER. did before (including me). It’s super cheap, and many of the ingredients are easy to keep around in the pantry. It’s a perfect slow cooker meal–just dump and run. It even freezes well ahead of time. All my processed-food-loving, salted meat aficionado, picky eater children (and adults) eat it, ask for seconds, and fight over who gets the leftovers the next day. I’ve made it at least five times, and I have three more in my freezer to get us through the winter. I don’t know what the magic is here, but I just needed to say thank you. Can’t seem to select a rating, but I give it five stars!
Kelly Roenicke
Yay, I am so happy to hear that you love this recipe! Thank you for letting me know! The ratings are working now, I’m sorry it wasn’t before!
Karl McQuillan
Wonderfully spiced and easy to prepare recipe.
Kelly Roenicke
So glad to hear this, thanks for letting me know!
Allison Bradbury
Hi Kelly,
I cannot use coconut milk (anaphylaxis response). Please could you suggest a suitable alternative.
Regards,
Allison
Colleen W
Made this tonight and my husband and I loved it! Probably the best curry I’ve had at home. My 3 year old didn’t even die in disgust while eating it! Which is a rarity. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I did switch a regular onion for a red onion. I think I’ll do the same for future makings.
Kelly Roenicke
So glad you loved it! Thank you for letting me know!
Kaleigh
This recipe was easy and excellent! Thanks for sharing :)
Jennifer
This was amazing. All I had was red bell pepper and orange/yellow lentils. It was fabulous. Thank you so much.
Kelly Roenicke
So glad you loved it! Thanks for letting me know!