Coconut curry lentil soup is one of those comforting meals that manages to be both nourishing and deeply flavorful. It brings together the creaminess of coconut milk, the warmth of curry spices, and the hearty texture of lentils to create a dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. Whether you’re looking for a cozy dinner or a make-ahead lunch, this soup fits the bill perfectly.
At the heart of the dish are red lentils, which cook quickly and become tender without needing to be soaked. As they simmer, they break down slightly and give the soup a naturally thick texture. The base usually starts with sautéed onions, garlic, and ginger, which build a strong aromatic foundation. Then come the curry spices, typically a mix of curry powder, cumin, and a bit of turmeric, which infuse the soup with a deep, earthy warmth.
What sets this soup apart is the addition of full-fat coconut milk. It adds a rich, velvety finish and balances the heat from the spices with its subtle sweetness. Depending on your preference, you can keep it mild or add a kick with some chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce. Many versions also include vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, or spinach, adding extra nutrients and flavor.
Coconut curry lentil soup is also incredibly easy to make in one pot, and it’s forgiving if you need to substitute ingredients. Don’t have fresh ginger? Use powdered. Missing carrots? Toss in some diced bell peppers or kale. It’s the kind of recipe that welcomes improvisation.
This soup is naturally vegan and gluten-free, which makes it a great choice for a wide range of diets. It stores well, freezes beautifully, and tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Pair it with some warm naan, rice, or a crisp salad, and you’ve got a satisfying meal that works year-round.
In short, coconut curry lentil soup is simple, comforting, and full of bold flavors. It’s the perfect blend of convenience and deliciousness.
So why wait? Gather your ingredients and get ready to prepare this delightful Coconut Curry Lentil Soup. With its creamy coconut milk and aromatic curry spices, it’s the ultimate comfort food that will leave you craving for more. Share it with your loved ones or savor it all for yourself – either way, this soup is sure to become a favorite in your household. Bon appétit!

Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 thumb-sized piece ginger grated
- 2 carrots diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 cup red lentils rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can coconut milk 14 ounces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Cook until the onion is translucent.
- Add the diced carrots and red bell pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the curry powder, cumin, and turmeric. Stir to coat the vegetables with the spices.
- Add the rinsed red lentils, vegetable broth, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are soft.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
This recipe is for vegetarians only, right? Can’t imagine meat in this.
Yes, it’s definitely vegetarian! Just the veggies and lentils here, no meat involved.
I dunno, I think meat could be good in this. Might try it with chicken next time.
Can’t believe I made this! I’m not much of a cook. 😄
I didn’t have red lentils, so I used green lentils… turned out weird. Not sure if I did it right.
This was a hit with my family! I added some chicken for extra protein 🙂
I didn’t have red lentils, used green ones instead, worked fine. Still tasted good!
Coconut and curry together? Never thought of it! But it does taste good. Kinda weird tho.
Good soup, but took longer than 25 minutes to cook the lentils. Had to let it simmer more.
Hmm, I cooked mine just like the recipe said and it was fine. Maybe your pot is too small or something?
I agree! Lentils always seem to take longer than expected. Maybe next time try soaking them first? 😊
Yum!
Totally agree! This soup is so comforting and delicious!
I like soup. This one was good.
Not a fan, way too much coconut milk for me. Made it kinda sweet.
Super easy to make! My kids loved it. Will definitely make again. Thanks for sharing!
So glad to hear that! It’s a hit in my house too. What do your kids usually like to eat?
I tried this, but it turned out watery. Maybe too much broth? 🤔
What do you mean by thumb-sized? That’s not a measurement lol.
I dunno, but thumb size sounds kinda silly to me. Just use as much ginger as you like! Who needs exact measurements? 😜
I guess it’s a bit of a weird measurement, but I think they’re just suggesting a piece of ginger that’s about the size of your thumb. 🤷♂️
I didn’t have red lentils, so I used green ones instead. It turned out way too mushy. Stick to the recipe, folks!
The lentils were too mushy for my taste, maybe I cooked them too long? Overall okay tho.
I expected more from this recipe, was kinda bland even after adding spices. Maybe I did something wrong?
Easy to make but kinda bland. Needs something…maybe garlic powder or extra spice? Idk.
I love lentils. It taste good, but I added some chicken for extra protein. It’s like now a meat curry! 😂
Adding chicken sounds interesting! I’ve never thought of doing that with lentils. Gonna try it your way next time!
Smelled good while cooking but felt like it was missing something. Could be better.
Had this for lunch today. Quick and easy but I didn’t have red lentils, so I used green ones. Still turned out good I guess.
Green lentils work too! Glad it still turned out good for you. Sometimes recipes can be flexible!
This soup is AMAZING! So creamy and flavorful. I added a bit of lime juice for a kick. Definitely making again!
Very tasty! I added some chicken for more protein. Not vegan anymore but whatever!
Sounds delicious! Adding chicken is a great idea for protein. I might try that next time!
Is it really necessary to add so many spices? I just used curry powder and it was good enough.
Yum!!! 🥥🥣
This sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try it. 🤤
Coconut and lentils? Sounds kinda weird to me. But hey, maybe I’m just missing out!
ehh, it was okay. I thought it would be spicy but it wasn’t. Not sure I’d make it again.
This soup is absolutely delicious! Made it for dinner last night and my family loved it. Will definitely be making it again.
Amazing! So creamy and delicious, perfect for dinner.
Can you make this without coconut? I don’t like it. Would it still be good?
This soup is amazing! I love how creamy it is and the spices are just right.
This soup is amazing! The flavors are so rich and comforting. I made it last night and it’s already my new favorite recipe.
Why do youuse red lentils? I prefer green. Is it the same? 🤔
I give it a 5! Perfect for a cold day, I added some chili flakes for a kick.
Not really a fan. It was too coconutty for my taste. Maybe less coconut milk next time?
Mmm, coconut!!! Love everything about it but it took longer than 25 mins. Maybe I chopped slow lol.
I thought it was okay, but a bit too coconutty for my taste.
Super easy to make! I love recipes like this. Thanks for sharing!
Looks good but is coconut milk really necessary? Seems like adding fat for no reason.
Agreed! It’s so simple but tastes amazing! I never thought I’d love lentils this much.
Nah, I rather stick to chicken soup. This seems kinda weird.
I get that! Chicken soup is a classic. But you might be surprised how tasty this coconut curry lentil soup can be! It’s really comforting too.
Weird? Nah! It’s actually delicious! Just try it once, lol. Curry and coconut milk are super good together!
Didn’t have red lentils so I used green ones. Still tasted great!
Soup was too watery for me, needed more lentils. yo!
Yeah, I felt the same way! I added an extra cup of lentils and it was so much better! 💪
This soup was amazing! Perfect for a cold day. So warm and flavorful.
Super easy to make, I loved it! My kids even ate it! Will make again.
Tastes like a warm hug! ❤️
This soup is absolutely delicious! The flavors are on point!
Coconut milk in vegetable soup? No thanks! I stick with chicken broth.
Curry soup??? What’s next? This isn’t real food.
Really simple instructions. I messed it up but still taste okay! 🤷♀️
Yum!! I didn’t have fresh cilantro so I used parsley. Still good!
I make curry all the time but it never tastes like this, what am I doin wrong?
I don’t know. It seems like too many spices. Will my kids even eat this? They are picky.
I tried this recipe, but I think I added too much curry powder. It was a bit overpowering.
I’m vegan, so I appreciate the coconut milk! But maybe could use more spices?
I don’t think you need more spices… it’s curry soup, not fire soup! Seems good to me.
I totally agree! A bit more kick would make it even better. Maybe some chili flakes?
I dunno about putting coconut in soup. Sounds weird and didn’t like it.
So easy to make! I was skeptical about the coconut milk, but it really adds a nice creaminess. Thumbs up!
Easy and cheap to make! Gonna make again for sure!
Delicious and filling! I added some chili flakes for an extra kick. Yum!