Description
A creamy and flavorful Greek Yogurt Lentil Curry made with red lentils, aromatic spices, and tangy yogurt, perfect for a comforting and nutritious vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 inch ginger, grated
Spices
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (15 oz / 400 g)
- 2 cups vegetable stock (or more as needed)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
Seasoning & Toppings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 4 wedges lemon (optional)
- Cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the base: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add spices and aromatics: Stir in grated garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, curry powder, coriander, cumin, and turmeric powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to release the spices’ aroma.
- Add lentils and simmer: Add the rinsed red lentils, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable stock to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper, then stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for roughly 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft. Add extra water or broth if the curry becomes too thick.
- Stir in the yogurt: Turn off the heat completely and allow the curry to stop bubbling. Gradually stir in the Greek yogurt until the curry is smooth and creamy, combining thoroughly but avoiding boiling to prevent yogurt curdling.
- Taste and serve: Adjust seasoning with additional salt or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Serve the curry warm in bowls alongside rice, garnished with cilantro or sliced scallions if preferred.
Notes
- Be careful not to boil the curry after adding Greek yogurt, to prevent curdling.
- You can adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Red lentils cook quickly and don’t require pre-soaking.
- Add water or broth as needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve with rice, naan, or your preferred grain for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Greek yogurt lentil curry, red lentil curry, vegetarian curry, Indian lentil curry, creamy lentil recipe
