With plenty of kale, creamy coconut milk, tomatoes and warming spices, these curried green lentils are not only delicious, they’re hearty and easy to prepare. And, made in the slow cooker, these lentils require very little hands-on time and cleanup is a cinch! Lentils in the slow cooker never tasted so good!
This time of year, heading into winter, makes me crave (big time) hearty comfort food.
After outside on a cold day, I just want to curl up with a big bowl of something warm, satisfying and delicious. You too?
This slow cooker lentil recipe fits the bill perfectly, which is why it’s made pretty regularly in our home.
And, don’t you just love the slow cooker? You put everything in there, set your timer and go about your business until it’s ready.
I go through bouts of using the slow cooker, do you? And whenever I remember to take it out again, I wonder why I don’t use it more often.
Once you try these slow cooker curried green lentils, you’ll want to use yours more often too!
Why We Love Curried Green Lentils
- This recipe is made in one pot for easy cleanup (and who doesn’t love that?).
- Made with mostly pantry ingredients, it’s pretty budget friendly.
- These lentils can be enjoyed as is or part of a multi-course meal.
- Of course, they taste delicious!
Do I Need to Soak the Lentils?
Nope! Green lentils don’t have to be soaked prior to using in this slow cooker lentils recipe.
However, you’ll still want to pick them over for any rocks, foreign objects or imperfect lentils and discard those.
I like to give them a little rinse and drain, too.
How To Make This Recipe
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Place the prepared lentils in the slow cooker with tomatoes, coconut milk, vegetable broth, tomato paste, curry powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, nutmeg, chili peppers, onion, garlic and black pepper. Stir to combine everything.
- Add chopped kale and stir in.
- Cover and cook.
- Stir in salt, lemon juice and cilantro. The lemon juice and cilantro really brightens the curried lentils. I just love it!
Can I Use Brown Lentils Instead?
Absolutely! Dried green or brown lentils work in this slow cooker lentil recipe.
Slow cookers can vary, so just cook until the lentils are tender and cooked through (typically, in my slow cooker, it takes about 6 to 7 hours on the low setting).
What Can I Use Instead of Kale?
Don’t have kale on hand? Substitute with fresh baby spinach. If using baby spinach, you can simply stir in at the end of cook time and the residual heat will wilt it.
What To Serve With Curried Lentils
- Naan (so good for dunking into the lentils)
- Dollop of plain yogurt (use your favourite dairy or non dairy variety, whatever you prefer) over top upon serving
- Poached or fried egg over top (great for any meal of the day, really)
More Yummy Lentil Recipes
If you make these slow cooker curried green lentils, be sure to leave a comment below!
This curried lentils recipe was originally published August 15, 2016 but has been updated.
Curried Green Lentils (Slow Cooker Lentils)
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups dried green lentils, picked over (remove and discard any rocks, foreign objects and imperfect lentils), rinsed and drained
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly break up tomatoes before adding to slow cooker
- 1 (13.5-ounce) can full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1.5 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 red Thai chili peppers, minced (or to taste)
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups chopped kale (bite-sized pieces, leaves only, no stems)
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, from about ½ of a lemon (or use lime juice)
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro, plus more to taste for optional garnish (or parsley)
- Chopped chives or green onion, garnish to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Set slow cooker to low setting and add lentils, tomatoes, coconut milk, vegetable broth, tomato paste, curry powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, nutmeg, chili peppers, onion, garlic, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add kale and stir again until everything is well combined. Cover and cook for 6 to 7 hours or until the lentils are cooked. (Slow cookers can vary. I cooked mine for 6 hours and the lentils were just done.)
- After six hours, stir in salt, lemon juice and cilantro.
- To serve, divide the lentils into bowls and garnish with more cilantro and some chives or green onion (if desired). Enjoy!
Notes
- Canned tomatoes can vary in salt content. For me, ½ teaspoon of salt was good, but you can totally season to taste.
- If you like things less spicy, use less chili peppers (or omit entirely). If you don’t have fresh chili peppers, feel free to add some crushed red pepper flakes or ground cayenne pepper to taste.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
David @ Spiced says
You know, I totally need to use lentils more often! I always find them delicious, but I rarely go to ’em. Gotta fix that! I love that you guys took a real staycation. Laura and I were just talking this morning about how nice it would be to take a vacation. But I’m thinking a staycation could work…especially since we could keep sending Robbie to daycare while Mom and Dad get a little R&R. Oh, and I totally support the slow cooker in the summer movement! I just pulled mine out the other day…super easy! I really need to put this recipe on our list soon…it sounds like a great summer comfort food!
Girl Heart Food says
Staycations are pretty awesome! It’s all relax time, no travel…know what I mean? I use my slow cooker all the time and have really brought the pressure cooker into the mix. Great little time savers. Hope you get a chance to try the lentils. They’re great as is without any added protein, but would also be awesome with some chicken too. Comfort food for the win!
Adina says
This is a wonderful looking dish, I love Indian food and anything made with lentils anyway. I don’t have a crock pot but I suppose I could make it without one anyway. Yum!
Girl Heart Food says
Thanks Adina! I’m sure it would work just fine without the crock pot 🙂 Enjoy!!
Kevin | Keviniscooking says
LOVE me the slow cooker, so easy. so needed! And lentils are so under used, so I’m happy to see this post. We had a killer time in Maui and I came back a tad bit burned, but will survive… some had to do it. 🙂 Yay to spicy curried lentils in the Summer! Great recipe of spices and coconut milk, love it. Pinned and shared friend!
Girl Heart Food says
I agree, Kevin! Lentils are totally underused, aren’t they? I’m so happy to hear you had a fun time in Maui…always nice to get a little break and some sunshine; everyone needs that every now and then 🙂 Appreciate the kind words and Pin, my friend!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
Lentils are the BEST! And lentils with Indian spices are the BEST of the BEST! This makes me drool. lol. Yum
Girl Heart Food says
YES! Lentils are the best…agreed 🙂 Plus, they are so good for ya so extra bonus points there, right? Thanks Sarah!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
So I made this dish the other day and it was fantastic! And SO easy to make! Seriously, I spent like 5 minutes throwing everything into the slow cooker and then just set it and forget it! There was a ton of flavor and you notice how I keep referring to the dish in the past tense? Well that’s because it’s all gone! Yup, just me and hubs destroyed the entire pot in one brief weekend 🙂 Will definitely be making again!
Girl Heart Food says
Oh my goodness, Kathleen! You seriously just made my day!! I’m so happy you made it and even happier that you and your hubby enjoyed it that much! Really appreciate you trying it out and the kind words. It’s one of hubby and my favourites that I make often so it’s so nice to know others enjoy it too. Have a fantastic week! xo
Michelle Roch says
I find full coconut milk too fattening
Any suggestion
Dawn | Girl Heart Food says
Hi Michelle! I’ve only tried this recipe with full-fat coconut milk. You can certainly try using light coconut milk if you like, but I’m not sure how it would turn out. If you do give it a try, though, I’d love to know how it turns out for you. 🙂
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
I love staycations – they are the BEST! Especially when they come with easy, healthy, scrumptious recipes like this one, because as much as we all love our kitchen, we want to enjoy some staycation time outside of it. Pinning!
Girl Heart Food says
We had a great time on our staycation! Lots of nice weather, relaxing on the deck and good food. Thanks so much for the kind words and Pin Kate! Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I think staycations are the best! Glad you were able to relax 🙂 This dish looks perfect for the cooler temps ahead. I know my family will love it!
Girl Heart Food says
Staycations are pretty awesome and the weather was fabulous every single day so that was perfect! Lots of time outside 🙂 Thanks so much, Megan! Have a great weekend!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
Yay for a fun staycation with great weather! And glad you were able to disconnect for a bit – always so refreshing 🙂 And thanks for coming back with this stellar recipe! I can eat spicy food any time of day or year, and I’m with you on using my slow cooker year round. (I’ve got dinner in it right now!) Can’t wait to try this easy yummy healthy recipe!! Have a great weekend!
Girl Heart Food says
We really did have an awesome time and it definitely was nice to have a break, that’s for sure! The slow cooker is the best, isn’t it? I’ve been using it a lot lately (along with the pressure cooker). Have a great weekend too, Kathryn.
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
I LOVE lentils! And it just so happens that I have everything on hand. Slow cooker, 6 hours…. if I get into the kitchen right now, I can have this for dinner! Sorry to keep this brief, but I gotta run! I’ll report back tomorrow 🙂
Girl Heart Food says
Yay!!! I’m so exciting to hear that, Kathleen 🙂 ! Please do let me know how you like it. Woo hoo!