This curry lentil soup gives you a cozy, nutritious, and satisfying one-pot dinner packed with lentils and vegetables and ready with minimal effort.
If you love easy lentil dinners, try our Mediterranean Lentil Soup, Mediterranean Lentil and Orzo, or creamy Lentil Curry next.
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Why you’ll love our Curry Lentil Soup!
This curry lentil soup is full of lentils, potatoes, carrots, and leafy greens, all simmered in a tomato broth with curry powder, cumin, turmeric, ginger, and garlic. 🥣 The broth thickens as the lentils cook, so every spoonful is rich and loaded with vegetables.
You get fiber, plant-based protein, and plenty of vegetables in one bowl, with potatoes making it filling enough for dinner. 🌱 And everything comes from ingredients you can pick up at a regular grocery store.
Louise and I make it all in one pot. Start with onion, carrots, garlic, ginger, and spices, add everything else, then let it simmer. That’s really it.
Add a good squeeze of lime at the table and a spoonful of Greek yogurt, plus pickled red onions or cilantro if you have them. ❤️ It’s colorful, satisfying, and nutritious, an easy one-pot dinner for busy weeknights and chilly evenings.
P.S: If you love hearty lentil soups, try our Creamy Red Lentil Soup, French Lentil Soup, or Tomato Lentil Soup next.
Ingredients
Full ingredients and substitutions are in the recipe box below.
- Olive oil: builds a flavorful base. Substitute avocado oil.
- Onion: adds sweetness and depth. Substitute shallots or leeks.
- Carrots: add color and subtle sweetness. Parsnips work too.
- Garlic: fresh is best. If garlic intolerant, omit it and add extra ginger or scallion greens.
- Ginger: adds fresh, warming flavor. Substitute a pinch of ground ginger.
- Curry powder: gives this curried lentil soup its warm, aromatic flavor. Use mild or hot curry powder to taste.
- Turmeric: adds earthy flavor and golden color. Substitute extra curry powder.
- Cumin: adds warmth and depth. Ground coriander is a milder alternative.
- Red pepper flakes: add gentle heat. Substitute cayenne or omit.
- Vegetable broth: forms the savory base. Use low-sodium broth if preferred.
- Crushed tomatoes: make the broth rich and tomatoey. Substitute diced tomatoes.
- Green or brown lentils: stay tender yet intact as they cook. Avoid red lentils, which break down. You can also use canned lentils; see the FAQ below for how to adjust the broth and cooking method.
- Potatoes: make this lentil potato soup extra satisfying. Yukon Gold, red, or russet potatoes work.
- Kale: adds hearty greens. Substitute spinach or Swiss chard.
- Salt and black pepper: season to taste.
- Lime: brightens the finished soup. Lemon works too.
- Greek yogurt: adds a creamy finish. Choose low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr for even more protein.
How to Make Curry Lentil Soup
Step 1. Build the flavor base
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and thinly sliced carrots. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the grated garlic and ginger, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring often, until fragrant.
Step 2. Add the soup ingredients
Pour in the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes.
Rinse and drain the dried lentils—there’s no need to soak them. Add them to the pot with the peeled potatoes cut into bite-size chunks and chopped kale.
Season with salt and black pepper and stir well.
Step 3. Simmer until tender
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
Cook for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils and potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally and add a splash more broth if the soup becomes thicker than you like.
Step 4. Taste and serve
Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
Serve hot with a squeeze of lime and your favorite toppings, such as Greek yogurt, brown rice, pickled red onions, scallions, or cilantro.
Tips
- Use green or brown lentils: They become tender while still holding their shape. Red lentils break down and will give you a much softer, creamier soup.
- Rinse the lentils well: Rinse under cold running water and drain before adding them. There’s no need to soak them.
- Bloom the spices: Cook the curry powder, turmeric, and cumin in the olive oil for about 1 minute. This brings out their aroma and gives the broth more flavor.
- Don’t burn the garlic: Once the garlic, ginger, and spices go in, stir often and keep the cooking time short.
- Cut the potatoes evenly: Keep them in similar bite-size pieces so they become tender at about the same time as the lentils.
- Keep it at a gentle simmer: Once the soup boils, lower the heat. A hard boil can reduce the broth too quickly before the lentils are tender.
- Watch the lentils, not just the clock: Cooking time varies by type and age. The soup is ready when the lentils are tender and the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
- Adjust the consistency: Lentils continue absorbing liquid as they cook. Add a splash of vegetable broth if the soup becomes thicker than you like.
- Want it thicker? Blend or mash a small portion of the soup, then stir it back in. This makes the broth creamier while keeping plenty of texture.
- Finish with lime: A squeeze just before serving brightens the tomatoes, lentils, and warm curry spices.
- Taste for salt at the end: Broths vary considerably in saltiness, so give the finished soup a final taste and adjust as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Substitute the dried lentils with 2 cans (15 ounces / 400 g each can) of lentils, drained and rinsed.
Start with 3½ to 4 cups of vegetable broth instead of 5 cups. Add the potatoes and kale as directed, but leave out the lentils.
Simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the potatoes and kale are tender. Stir in the canned lentils and simmer for another 5 minutes, or until heated through. Add more broth at the end if you prefer a thinner soup.
Absolutely. Stir chopped spinach into the soup during the last few minutes of cooking so it stays tender and green.
A standard mild or medium curry powder works well. Curry powder blends vary by brand, so choose one you already enjoy and adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat.
Yes. Increase the red pepper flakes or add a small pinch of cayenne. For a milder soup, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
Yes. The flavors develop nicely as the soup sits. The lentils and potatoes will continue absorbing broth, so you may want to add a splash when reheating.
Lentils naturally absorb liquid as they cook and sit. Simply stir in more vegetable broth until you reach the consistency you like.
Let the soup cool, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed.
You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat until hot, adding extra broth as needed.
More Lentil Recipes
- Lentil Bolognese
- Lentil Pasta
- Mujadara
- Greek Lentil Salad
- Lentil Tabbouleh
- Turmeric Lentil Soup
- Lentil Eggplant Curry
- Easy Red Lentil Dal
If you try this Curry Lentil Soup Recipe please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it turned out in the comments—we love hearing from you.
Curry Lentil Soup (One Pot, Lots of Veggies)
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 carrots thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic grated
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 5 cups vegetable broth reduced sodium – plus more to taste
- 1 can crushed tomatoes 15 oz / 400 g
- 1 cup dried lentils green or brown
- 1 pound potatoes peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
- 5 ounces kale chopped – sub spinach
- 1 teaspoons salt plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 wedges lime + Greek yogurt, brown rice, quick pickled red onions, chopped scallions or cilantro.
Instructions
- Build the flavor base: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.Add 1 large onion (chopped) and 2 carrots (thinly sliced) and cook for 3 minutes. Add 3 cloves garlic and 1 teaspoon ginger (grated), 2 teaspoons curry powder, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring often.
- Add the soup ingredients: Pour in 5 cups vegetable broth and 1 can crushed tomatoes.Rinse and drain 1 cup dried lentils, then add them with 1 pound potatoes cut into bite-size chunks and 5 ounces kale (chopped). Season with 1 teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Simmer the soup: Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and gently simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.The soup is ready when the lentils are tender and the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Add a splash of broth if it gets too thick.
- Taste and serve: Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.Serve with a squeeze of lime and your favorite toppings, such as Greek yogurt, brown rice, pickled red onions, scallions, or cilantro.
Notes
- Olive oil → Avocado oil
- Onion → Shallots or leeks
- Carrots → Parsnips
- Garlic → Extra ginger or scallion greens
- Ginger → Ground ginger
- Curry powder → Mild or hot curry powder
- Turmeric → Extra curry powder
- Cumin → Ground coriander
- Red pepper flakes → Cayenne or omit
- Vegetable broth → Low-sodium vegetable broth
- Crushed tomatoes → Diced tomatoes
- Green or brown lentils → 2 cans lentils, drained and rinsed; see FAQ for method
- Potatoes → Yukon Gold, red, or russet potatoes
- Kale → Spinach or Swiss chard
- Salt and black pepper → Adjust to taste
- Lime → Lemon
- Greek yogurt → Low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr
- Choose the right lentils: Use green or brown; rinse well, but don’t soak.
- Bloom the spices: Cook them in olive oil for 1 minute for more flavor.
- Watch the garlic: Stir often so the garlic, ginger, and spices don’t burn.
- Cut potatoes evenly: Bite-size pieces help everything cook at the same rate.
- Simmer gently: Cook until the lentils are tender and potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
- Adjust the broth: Add more if too thick; blend or mash a little soup if too thin.
- Finish with lime: It brightens the warm spices and tomatoes.
- Salt last: Taste and adjust after cooking since broths vary.
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers and add a splash of broth when reheating if the soup thickens.
Nutrition
Don’t Lose This Recipe
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Hi! We are Nico & Louise
We're here to share easy, healthy, and delicious recipes 🌿✨.
Welcome to our blog, we are glad you are here.
This was delicious! Thank you!
Made this today and it was absolutely delicious even though I didn’t have kale. I was trying to decide what to try this or the chickpea curry and I have to say I have big expectations about the curry after this soup. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Fantastic, Kristina!! Oh, I think you will love the chickpea curry if you loved this soup – very similar flavor profiles and “warmth” 🙂
Happy cooking, and thanks so much for taking time to leave your feedback here 😍
I homeschool my kids and I had them make the soup. I am not feeling well so I literally just stayed in my seat and answered questions and it came out perfect. They are 5,7 and 11.
Your kids sound amazing, Tisha! I love that they could support you and cook for you.
Thanks so much for coming back to comment, we love when our recipes become other families’ recipes 🥰
Made this for the second time, but used less liquid and served with rice as curry instead of soup. It was amazing!
Hello Louise!
This is awesome! Made this for us today and it’s an instant hit.
A great fan of yours and have tried a lot of your recipes and they are all super EASY and takes very less time.
Wishing you and Nico a great 2025! 💕
Hi Nilu, wow fantastic!! I’m so excited that you loved this soup (between the two of us, it’s one of our favourite soups) ☺️
Happy 2025, all the best to you and yours!! Kindest,
Louise
This was so delicious Even my kids loved it!
Amazing recipe! Super warming and comforting during the winter cold ♥️
Terrific recipe. BIG flavor, especially considering how quickly and easily it comes together. In fact, the most time-consuming part was sorting the lentils! The end result is nice and thick and more like a stew than a soup. I love the warm spice…so satisfying. Definitely adding this one to the recipe binder.
Wonderful, Jennifer, I am so so happy that the soup made its way to your recipe binder! What an honor 🙂
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment here. Have a great week ahead,
Louise
I’m making this soup tomorrow for a friend undergoing chemotherapy. So far her appetite has been good and she’s looking forward to this nutritious soup!
I only have diced tomatoes on hand. Should I drain them and chop them up more finely before adding to the soup? Her dietician recommends avoiding potato so I was going to sub yellow squash, but without the starch from the potato, I wonder if adding the undrained can of diced tomatoes will make the soup too runny. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Christina,
First of all, I am very sorry to hear about your friend. You are a very kind friend, I am sure that she really appreciates your great care.
Regarding the starch: yes your soup will be thinner with yellow squash, BUT go ahead and add it 🙂
We just discussed this and our advise is: make the soup as described with your diced tomatoes (do not worry about draining them). When the soup is ready with the lentils cooked, you can blend about 1 cup of the soup if you find it too “thin”. Simple avoid blending the kale, and use a hand-mixer. That trick will make it thick and hearty if that is what you are missing without the potatoes.
Nico and I send our love to both of you. All the best ❤️
Louise
Thank you so much, perfect suggestion! I puréed a small amt of soup with my immersion blender (picking out the kale), and it turned out beautifully. Although the soup wasn’t overly thin to start with. My pre-worrying was unnecessary. True of most pre-worrying, come to think about it 😉
Tasting it at the end, I appreciate the acid and brightness contributed by including the tomato liquid. Very delicious nutritious soup that’s a feast for the eyes as well.! Thank you both so much, Nico & Louise!
Delicious! I added 1/2 cup of red lentils to make it thicker and otherwise followed the recipe exactly. So tasty!
Great recipe!! Superfood deliciousness!! I love it and I love this site. Watching a video in fast motion is another level of knowing what you’re getting into before you start. Thank you Nico and Louise!
Hi Willa, that’s fantastic – I’m very happy that you appreciate the videos, thanks so much for your kind feedback 🎉
Wishing you a great Sunday.
Hi, In your video you added at the end gaman masala but here your receipt does not mention gaman masala.
Hi Barbara, thanks for your message!
We don’t add garam masala to this soup – maybe you are thinking about the lentil curry, where garam masala is added as a final step? That recipe is right here (with video): https://theplantbasedschool.com/lentil-curry/
I hope this helps, let me know if anything is unclear 🙂 Kindest,
Louise