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There’s nothing more nourishing to me than a veggie-packed lentil soup and this Curried Lentil Soup delivers. When you’re in need of some additional nourishment but lots of flavor, this soup is the perfect choice.

Three small white bowls of Curried Lentil Soup. All garnished with cilantro. Large pot of soup peeking in.

We are continuing #DDSoupWeek 2023 strong with this flavorful, veggie-packed soup. Sweet potatoes, lentils, and more are cooked in a broth flavored with curry powder, turmeric, and other seasoning for a delicious final result. And if you love the flavor of this soup, be sure to try my Curried Chili.

Curried Lentil Soup Ingredients:

  • Olive Oil
  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper, plus additional dried spices!
  • Sweet Potato
  • Brown Lentils
  • Vegetable Broth
  • Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
  • Baby Spinach
  • Unsweetened Coconut Milk
  • Lemon Juice
  • Fresh Cilantro

​​​Curried Lentil Soup: step-by-step

Step One: Sauté the veggies, toast the spices and lentils

In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onion, garlic, salt, black pepper and pepper flakes until the garlic and onion are tender. Once tender, add the sweet potato, lentils, and spices. Cook, stirring, until the spices are fragrant and lightly toasted! The sweet potatoes will cook in the broth, so do not worry about them at this point.

Veggies and lentils toasting in large dutch oven. Spoon resting in pot.

Step Two: flavor the Broth

​​​Next, add the broth, fire-roasted tomatoes and bay leaf to the pot. Bring this to a rapid simmer then cover and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Pot of veggies, lentils, broth, and canned tomatoes. Bay leaf resting on top.

Step three: Add the Spinach and Coconut Milk

Once the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, add the spinach and coconut milk. Simmer until the spinach is wilted.

Step four: Finish and Serve

To finish the soup, remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. This adds a delicious brightness to the soup! This is also a great time to taste and adjust the seasoning. With the potatoes and lentils to season, more salt is likely needed. Serve the soup in bowls and garnish with cilantro!

Large pot of Curried Lentil Soup with spinach in it.

Recipe FAQs:

Should the sweet potatoes be cooked through before adding broth?

No! The sweet potatoes will cook in the broth.

how should I reheat leftover soup?

This soup is best reheated on the stove. The lentils and sweet potatoes will absorb a lot of the broth when this is stored, so add additional broth and coconut milk when reheating.

Three small white bowls of Curried Lentil Soup. All garnished with cilantro.

I hope you enjoy this delicious Curried Lentil Soup! Comment below once you give this recipe a try.

For More lentils Recipes:

Immune Boosting Coconut-Ginger Lentil Soup

Tikka Masala Lentils

Crockpot Vegetable Lentil Soup

Three small white bowls of Curried Lentil Soup. All garnished with cilantro. Large pot of soup peeking in.
5 from 8 votes

Curried Lentil Soup

Dietary: Vegetarian
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups medium-diced sweet potato
  • 1 ½ cups brown lentils rinsed well
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • One [14.5-ounce] can fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 ounces baby spinach
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Fresh cilantro leaves for serving

Instructions 

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, salt, black pepper and pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the sweet potato, lentils, curry powder, turmeric, cumin and paprika and continue to cook, stirring, until the spices are fragrant and lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the broth, fire-roasted tomatoes and bay leaf. Bring to a rapid simmer then reduce the heat to light simmer, cover and cook until the lentils and sweet potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the spinach and coconut milk and stir until well combined and the spinach has just wilted. Let simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  • Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice and add more salt, if desired. To serve, ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro.

Notes

Reheating Note: When this soup is stored, the lentils and sweet potatoes will absorb a lot of the broth. When reheating this on the stove, add additional broth and coconut milk as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 836mg, Potassium: 965mg, Fiber: 20g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 9116IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 96mg, Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Servings: 6
Calories: 385

Photography by Eat Love Eats.



Welcome! I’m Alex.

I’m a food lover sharing healthy, simple, delicious, recipes from my kitchen to yours. Here you’ll find lots of Whole30, lots of healthy, and a little indulgence here and there because…it’s all about balance y’all!


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Recipe Rating




9 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is so healthy, cost effective and flavorful. I didn’t mind eating it for lunch all five days of the week, and I’ve sent it to no less than three friends to try for themselves. Thank you!!!!

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve been looking for a lentil soup recipe, and THIS IS IT! Loved the flavors and the spices. Perfect on a chilly fall Sunday. Thanks Alex!

  3. 5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! So full of flavor and hearty. Paired with naan for the perfect meal. This will be on the rotation.