Thai Red Curry Lentil Soup
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Vegan Thai Red Curry Lentil Soup delivers bold flavor in every spoonful with creamy coconut milk, aromatic red curry paste, tender lentils, and loads of veggies all simmered together for a meal that’s equal parts comforting and exciting. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or some quick comfort!
“This was absolutely delicious! It’s one of those dishes that is hard to stop eating – I wanted more even after I was full just because it was so dang tasty.”
Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
You know it as well as I do–after a full day, dinner needs to have minimal steps. My Thai Red Curry Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes is perfect when you’ve had a long day and need some comfort and warmth in a hurry.
This creamy, spicy soup has a complex Thai-inspired flavor but comes together quickly with purchased red curry paste.
This Thai Red Lentil Curry is:
- Easy!
- Freezer-friendly!
- Can be made in a slow cooker or the Instant Pot.
- Sooooo tasty!!!
How to make Thai Red Curry Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup:
Recipe Ingredients:
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this red curry lentil soup recipe. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- Red Curry Paste: I no longer bother making my own red curry paste after discovering the Maesri line of curry pastes at a local international market. These pastes have plenty of punch, are made from real ingredients, and flavorwise, beat grocery store brands hands down. Their Thai green curry paste is also fabulous!
- Red Lentils: Red lentils cook much faster than brown or green lentils and at approximately the same rate as sweet potatoes. You can use the other types of lentils but you’ll need to cook them longer than red lentils or cook them separately then add them to the soup.
- Vegetable Broth: If you’re not concerned about the soup remaining vegan, you can also use chicken broth.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Gather and prep the ingredients.
- Melt the coconut oil or heat the canola oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions, reduce the heat and cook until they’ve softened up.
- Add the garlic and the red curry paste and give it a quick stir.
- Then add the broth, sweet potatoes, lentils and tomatoes.
- Bring that up to a boil, then simmer until the red lentils and sweet potatoes are tender. Red lentils get super-soft but that’s what you want!
- Stir in the coconut milk and heat it through.
- Add cilantro and lime juice if using…
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
That’s it! Thai Red Curry Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes! Serve garnished with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges.
Chef Tips and Tricks:
- It’s always a good idea to look lentils over for stones, sticks and odd-looking bits. I do this on an inexpensive white paper plate so I can easily add them to whatever I’m cooking. Place a small amount on the paper plate, look them over then bend the paper plate to easily add them to the soup or whatever you’re making.
- Vary the veggies! Not a sweet potato fan? Try regular potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, rutabaga or turnips.
recipe faqs:
Absolutely! This red curry lentil soup freezes great so make a double batch and freeze in small portions for delicious Thai comfort all winter long! Cool completely then place in containers in the amount desired.
Cook the onions and garlic on the stovetop as directed. Add the red curry paste and give it a quick stir. Transfer to your slow cooker and add the broth, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and lentils. Cover and cook on High for 3-4 hours or on Low for 6-7 hours. Add the coconut milk and heat through for 20-30 minutes keeping the slow cooker uncovered. Add the cilantro, lime juice and salt and black pepper to taste.
Yes! As with most soups and stews, lentil soup only gets better when it sits a day or two. Cool completely then refrigerate. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Yes, but it will probably be just as fast on the stovetop. Cook the onions and garlic. Add the red curry paste then add the broth, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and lentils. Cover and cook on High for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. Add the coconut milk, cilantro and lime juice and heat through uncovered.
More great vegetarian and vegan soups you’ll love!
- Italian Vegetable Stew
- Vegetable Barley Soup
- Vegetable Bean Soup
- Smoky Spanish Vegetable and White Bean Soup with Kale
Get all my soup recipes at Soups and Stews – From A Chef’s Kitchen.
Thai Red Curry Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, or coconut oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons red curry paste, or to taste
- 6 cups vegetable broth, or chickren
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (1/2-inch cubes)
- 1 can (15-ounce) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 1/2 cups red lentils, picked over
- 1 can (14.5-ounce) unsweetened coconut milk, light or regular
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish if desired
- 1-2 tablespoons lime juice, optional
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large heavy pot such as a Dutch oven.
- Add the onion, reduce heat to medium and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until onion begins to soften.
- Add the garlic and red curry paste, give it a quick stir, then add the broth, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and lentils.
- Bring to a boil, cover slightly and simmer until potatoes and lentils are tender about 20 minutes. (Will be thick.)
- Add the coconut milk and heat through.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Stir in cilantro and lime juice if using.
Video
Notes
- Vary the veggies! Try regular potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, rutabaga, or turnips.
- Always look lentils over for stones, sticks and odd-looking bits. I do this on an inexpensive white paper plate to easily add them to what I’m cooking.
- Can be made up to 2 days ahead. Cool thoroughly.
- Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave for individual servings.
- Cool thoroughly and package as desired. Freeze up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator or microwave. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are automatically calculated using unbranded products and are estimates only. Actual results may vary based on ingredients used and portion sizes. Adjust as needed for dietary restrictions, allergies, or health concerns.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Holy cow, this was so delicious! I have shared it with many!! Am making again today. Thanks!
Thank you, Juliet! It’s definitely a keeper. Thanks so much for sharing it and please stay in touch!
I’m working now on a post for a Thai-inspired quinoa and lentil stew, and so happened upon this your lish-looking soup! What a lovely blog you have, and I envy your photography skills! Started following you on Twitter, btw! Best, Ginger
Thanks so much, Ginger! Omg, a Thai-inspired quinoa and lentil stew sounds SOOOO good. Looking forward to it!
Do you use homemade stock or do you have a store bought one you recommend?
Thanks for your question, Janet! I do prefer to make my own, but as you know, that’s not always possible. For a commercial vegetable broth I like Pacific. For commercial chicken broth, I like Swanson Natural Goodness or Swanson organic. It’s always better to start out with something low-sodium if purchasing. You can always add salt. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
Do you have the nutrition info on this soup? I made it and it’s so good! I am taking a serving out of the freezer for dinner tonight 🙂
Hi, Gaylen, Glad you’re enjoying! It’s awesome soup! I don’t provide nutritional analysis because products can vary. Try the SELF nutritional analysis for how you actually make it.
http://nutritiondata.self.com/
Thanks again and please stay in touch!
Wow. This soup is delicious. I made it in my instant pot, manual 12 minutes. Will be eating this a lot this winter! Thanks!
Thanks so much, Jessica and please stay in touch!
Can u cook this in a crockpot and if so how would it need?
Hi, Hannah, I definitely think you could do in the slow-cooker. I’d get everything cooked to the point of adding the lentils and sweet potatoes then combine in the slow-cooker. You just need to be careful putting hot things into a cold crockpot. I’ve had an insert crack that way. You shouldn’t need too terribly long–perhaps two hours on high? Four on low? You may not need as much broth because it more or less steams in the slow-cooker. Please let me know how it goes. Thanks so much!
My mom and I came across this recipe on Pinterest and gave it a try. Super easy to make and absolutely delicious! Will definitely be making this again! Thanks Carol for the wonderful recipe:)
Thanks so much, Natalie! Loved cooking with my mom. Glad you enjoyed and please stay in touch!
This is so good! It reheats even better, in my opinion. I’ve forwarded this on to a few people since it is so easy! Makings again tonight 🙂
Thanks, Kallie! I appreciate it and please stay in touch!
I am eating this right now and am obsessed! I added a little extra curry paste and an extra clove of garlic. It was also a super simple recipe too. I’ve already shared the recipe with a friend. Delicious! Thank you!!
Thanks, Amanda! You should absolutely adjust things to your taste. Glad you enjoyed!
I’ve made this a couple of times and it’s amazing. I substituted leeks for the onions, since they don’t agree with me.
Thank you so much, Ashley, for the feedback and for reading. Glad to know you were able to find a suitable substitute. Please stay in touch!