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    Home » Recipe Index » Vegetarian Dishes

    Lentil Spinach Curry for One

    August 28, 2022 Updated April 22, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD Entrees, One Pot/One Pan Meals, Pantry Dinners, Prep Ahead Meals, Recipe Index, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe
    close up of green lentil coconut curry in a bowl
    coconut green lentil curry on a table with ingredients and a text overlay

    This easy lentil spinach curry is a great way to try a vegan recipe with lentils. It's bursting with flavor & just takes about 30 minutes to cook. Make it with pantry staples such as coconut milk, canned tomatoes, lentils, and spinach.

    close up of green lentil coconut curry with rice in a bowl with chives and a lime on top

    [This lentil spinach curry recipe was originally posted in January 2019. It has been updated with cooking instructions, storage tips and substitutions, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good vegetarian recipes
    • Repurpose lentil curry
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    I used delicious Thai style red curry for this recipe. It's a great base that adds pretty much all the flavor that you'll need for this easy vegetarian curry recipe. Of course you can swap the curry paste for something you have.

    This lentil spinach curry isn't a traditional Thai recipe, but has Thai flavors of red curry paste and coconut milk.

    Simply Suwanee has a red curry recipe for example.

    This lentil spinach curry dish is great because you dump each ingredient into the pan and let it do all the work.

    Plus if you downloaded my pantry staples checklist, you've already got all the ingredients on hand, so no need to plan ahead!

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the lentil spinach curry recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

    ingredients for coconut green lentil curry
    • Green lentils: Green lentils are great for this recipe as they hold their shape better than others. But use what you have.
    • Diced tomatoes
    • Coconut milk
    • Spinach: Honestly, you can use whatever vegetables you have or want to use. Or none.
    • Red curry paste: it comes in a can or jar, is very fragrant, and is such an easy flavor add-er to recipes. You can use red curry paste, yellow, or green.
    • Brown sugar: some brown sugar balances out the red curry paste in this lentil spinach curry.
    • Garlic
    • Salt

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the lentil spinach curry recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    stirring lentils, coconut milk, and tomatoes in sauce pan

    1. To start your lentil spinach curry, add rinsed green lentils, coconut milk, canned diced tomatoes, red curry paste, brown sugar, and minced garlic to medium saucepan.

    2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 20-30 minutes, uncovered. 

    3. Prepare rice.

    coconut lentil curry simmering in saucepan

    4. After 20 minutes, check doneness of lentils, if not soft, cook another 10 or so minutes. Add more coconut milk, tomatoes, or water if it's too thick. They should be soft.

    5. Once lentils are soft, add brown sugar, salt and spinach.

    pouring vegetables into coconut lentil curry

    6. Top rice with your lentil spinach curry, and squeeze lime before eating. Sprinkle red pepper flakes over top if you'd like a bit of spice. Enjoy. 

    PIN HERE to add to your recipe box. 

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    Store leftover lentil spinach curry in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. It should freeze well too, just freeze in individual servings for ease (this is a great recipe to make extra servings of). store curry and rice separately.

    To reheat, microwave curry and rice, covered until warmed through. You can heat it up in a saucepan on the stove too.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Green lentils cook fastest, but you can use any type of lentil. Add more tomatoes or water if it doesn't have much water in it. You can also use precooked/frozen lentils to save time.
    • Freeze coconut milk by pouring it into a freezer bag & freeze on a flat shelf to use for later.
    • You may need to adjust cooking time for this lentil spinach curry to ensure lentils are cooked until soft. Refer to 'how to cook lentils' section in FAQ below.
    • You may need to add water (or more coconut milk) if sauce is really thick before lentils are softened.
    • If cooking traditional rice, start cooking when lentils start. If you want to save time, use minute or frozen rice.
    • Swap the spinach for frozen spinach or frozen vegetables. You really can add whatever vegetables you have to this curry.
    • Use lemon juice if you don't have lime, that's what I did here, or even a dash of rice or white vinegar is good in this lentil spinach curry.

    FAQ

    How do you make thick curry?

    Simmer the curry without a lid, so some moisture can evaporate, thickening your curry.

    Do you cook lentils before adding to curry?

    You cook the lentils with the curry in this recipe. Good thing, lentils cook pretty fast so it'll just take 30 minutes total.

    Is eating undercooked lentils bad?

    Undercooked lentils will be crunchy, and could lead to stomach discomfort and diarrhea since some of the compounds may not be broken down.

    Cook lentils longer if needed, and add more water for them to absorb and become softer.

    green lentil coconut curry on table with ingredients

    Other good vegetarian recipes

    • Vegetarian Tacos
    • Breakfast Tacos
    • Single Serving Baked Mac and Cheese
    • Sticky Tofu
    • Pantry Rice and Bean Soup for One
    • Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake
    • Pesto Tofu for One
    • Italian Beans for One

    Repurpose lentil curry

    • Serve your lentil spinach curry over greens for an easy salad
    • Omit the rice
    • Or just freeze for later. The rice and lentils will freeze well for a really quick reheated meal.

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Lentils: Easy Instant Pot Lentil Stroganoff
    • Tomatoes: Pumpkin Turkey Chili, 15 Minute Pasta, Pantry Rice and Bean Soup
    • Coconut milk: freeze leftover milk or make one of these 51 recipes using coconut milk from Epicurious.

    Did you make this lentil spinach curry? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    lentil curry on white and pink plate

    Lentil Spinach Curry for One

    This easy and delicious lentil spinach curry recipe for one is a great way to try out a vegan recipe with lentils. It's bursting with flavor and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: Thai
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 person
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • Large saucepan
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Measuring Cups
    • rubber spatula

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup green lentils rinsed off
    • ½ can coconut milk 14.5 oz can
    • ½ cup diced tomatoes
    • ½ tablespoon red curry paste
    • 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon minced garlic
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups fresh spinach ½ or so of frozen
    • 1 cups rice cooked
    • red pepper flakes optional
    • fresh limes

    Instructions

    • Add ¼ cup rinsed lentils, ½ can coconut milk, ½ cup tomatoes, ½ Tablespoon red curry paste, 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon minced garlic to medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 20-30 minutes. 
    • Prepare brown rice.
    • After 20 minutes, check doneness of lentils. They should be soft. Cook another 10 or so minutes, until soft.
    • Once lentils are soft, add ¼ teaspoon salt and 2 cups fresh spinach.
    • Top rice with lentil spinach curry, and squeeze lime before eating. Sprinkle red pepper flakes over top if you'd like a bit of spice. Enjoy. 

    Notes

    • You may need to add water (or more coconut milk) if sauce is really thick before lentils are softened.
    • Not ready to use remaining coconut milk? Pour it into a freezer bag & freeze on a flat shelf to use for later.
    • You may need to adjust cooking time to ensure lentils are cooked until soft. Refer to 'how to cook lentils' section in FAQ below.
    • Do not soak lentils before cooking.
    • Green lentils cook fastest, but you can use any type of lentil. Add more tomatoes or water if it doesn't have much water in it. You can also use precooked/frozen lentils to save time.
    • If cooking traditional rice, start cooking when lentils start. If you want to save time, use minute or frozen rice.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @NourishNutriCo or tag #NourishNutriCo!

    Want time saving tips to make recipes like this lentil spinach curry delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Vegetarian Dishes

    • pesto pasta with parmesan cheese on top
      Pesto Pasta for One
    • close up of lentil stroganoff with parsley
      Easy Vegetarian Mushroom and Lentil Stroganoff
    • two slices of egg bagel sandwich held by hand
      Bagel with Eggs
    • close up of delicata squash soup in a white bowl with grilled cheese
      Delicata Squash Soup for One

    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tabi says

      June 12, 2023 at 7:23 pm

      5 stars
      Made this recipe today! Tweaks I made: used can of light coconut milk, and added 1 tsp onion powder. Great flavor! Thank you so much for sharing this!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        June 20, 2023 at 12:30 pm

        glad you were able to make a few tweaks! Ill have to try it with the added onion powder! great idea

        Reply
    2. Natalie Padilla says

      February 25, 2023 at 9:34 am

      5 stars
      More nutritional vegan recipes like these, PLEASE! Loving this recipe. I'm a senior citizen looking for convenient ways to stay healthy. Love your ideas!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 27, 2023 at 10:51 am

        Great feedback! I'll email you with a couple resources

        Reply
    3. Daniela R Bianchetti says

      October 02, 2019 at 7:56 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe. I used cooked lentil so the dish was done in 10 minutes!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 03, 2019 at 6:04 pm

        great idea! thanks for sharing

        Reply
    4. Pam says

      February 02, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      You have brown sugar in the video (and a reminder not to forget to add it! Lol) but it is not listed in the recipe or instructions... how much brown sugar are you adding?

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 03, 2019 at 9:46 pm

        Hi Pam thanks so much for letting me know! oh the irony, haha!!!!!!!! There should be 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar in it. It's fixed in the recipe card now too

        Reply
        • Margarita says

          June 07, 2020 at 12:58 pm

          But when do you add it in and what do you mean by “half can diced tomatoes”? Half of which size can?

        • Rebecca says

          June 09, 2020 at 4:54 pm

          good question, I'm referring to a 14.5 oz can. I'll change that. thanks for bringing it up!

    5. Mike Hultquist says

      January 09, 2019 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      This was outstanding. Loved all of the flavors. I'm a HUGE fan of curries and will be making them with lentils more often!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 10, 2019 at 9:18 pm

        thanks! me too! curries are the best

        Reply
    6. Helen @ family-friends-food.com says

      January 09, 2019 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      This looks like such a delicious dish. I love that it's ready in 30 minutes - definitely one for a midweek dinner.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 10, 2019 at 9:18 pm

        thanks! and 30 minute meals are the best

        Reply
    7. Natalie says

      January 09, 2019 at 8:09 am

      5 stars
      Looks so delicious and healthy! Such a great idea for a balanced dinner ♥

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 10, 2019 at 9:18 pm

        thanks so much!

        Reply
    8. Amanda says

      January 09, 2019 at 8:08 am

      5 stars
      I could definitely use more plant-based meals in my lifestyle, and this looks like a delicious way to do just that. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 10, 2019 at 9:19 pm

        ya, it's so easy!

        Reply
    9. Jessica Formicola says

      January 09, 2019 at 7:40 am

      5 stars
      This looks like total comfort food! I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 10, 2019 at 9:19 pm

        thanks!

        Reply
    5 from 8 votes

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