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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
  • Recent Posts
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. Lizzie Adelman

    November 20, 2019 at 9:29 pm

    5 stars
    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. :)

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      November 25, 2019 at 12:08 pm

      Yay! So happy to hear that!

      Reply
  2. Claudia

    March 15, 2019 at 3:26 am

    5 stars
    Made this before and loved it!
    I only have red split lentils in the cupboard today will these work the same?

    Reply
    • Cienega

      January 11, 2020 at 4:22 pm

      My question too! Did it work?

      Reply
  3. Kailin

    February 27, 2019 at 7:27 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe! Can it be made as is in an instant pot?

    Reply
  4. Michelle

    January 30, 2019 at 7:03 am

    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?

    Reply
    • GrammaB

      February 17, 2019 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    • Ashley H

      October 30, 2020 at 10:58 am

      Garam Masada and curry powder do not contain heat ingredients.

      Reply
  5. Hannah

    December 10, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      December 15, 2018 at 5:25 pm

      The nutrition facts are for the curry only, no rice.

      Reply
      • Sarah

        December 23, 2018 at 6:05 pm

        How much is a serving? 1 cup?

        Reply
        • Kelly Roenicke

          January 08, 2019 at 9:38 pm

          Yes, about that!

          Reply
  6. Jill

    November 18, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    Actually amazing

    Reply
  7. Peri

    November 07, 2018 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    I loved making this so healthy and nutritious I added a fresh green chilli for an extra kick absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Christina Slotin

    September 29, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe! Its become one of our family favorites!!

    Reply
  9. jacqui

    September 25, 2018 at 4:50 am

    4 stars
    Made this last night and it was lovely. Going to have whats left with steamed fish tonight, Thank you

    Reply
  10. Maxine

    September 03, 2018 at 4:16 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      September 08, 2018 at 9:03 am

      You could leave it out!

      Reply
  11. Rachel

    June 14, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  12. Chessie

    April 23, 2018 at 10:54 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      May 02, 2018 at 8:38 am

      That’s a good point!

      Reply
  13. Susan Smith

    April 17, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    Will reduced fat coconut milk work?

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      April 18, 2018 at 9:05 am

      Yes, it just won’t be quite as creamy.

      Reply
  14. Dominique

    January 21, 2018 at 9:45 am

    Did you pre-soak your lentils? Or just placed the dry lentils straight into the crock-pot?

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      January 31, 2018 at 11:50 am

      Just put the dry lentils in the crock pot! After rinsing and picking them over first.

      Reply
  15. Krista Burdine

    January 09, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      January 09, 2018 at 4:30 pm

      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!

      Reply
  16. Karl McQuillan

    December 21, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    Wonderfully spiced and easy to prepare recipe.

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      December 23, 2017 at 9:41 am

      So glad to hear this, thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  17. Allison Bradbury

    August 01, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    Hi Kelly,
    I cannot use coconut milk (anaphylaxis response). Please could you suggest a suitable alternative.
    Regards,

    Allison

    Reply
  18. Colleen W

    April 23, 2017 at 10:43 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      April 27, 2017 at 1:26 pm

      So glad you loved it! Thank you for letting me know!

      Reply
  19. Kaleigh

    April 01, 2017 at 11:32 am

    This recipe was easy and excellent! Thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
  20. Jennifer

    March 18, 2017 at 8:11 am

    This was amazing. All I had was red bell pepper and orange/yellow lentils. It was fabulous. Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      March 19, 2017 at 10:01 am

      So glad you loved it! Thanks for letting me know!

      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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