Naturally gluten free, this curried split mung bean soup with coconut milk is easy to prepare, nourishing and simply delicious. Enjoy on its own or with some grilled naan for dunking!
Hi friends!
Bringing you a delicious mung bean recipe today!
You may remember a while back I shared a slow cooker mung bean soup.
Today, though, it’s split mung beans! They’re also known as ‘yellow mung beans’ or ‘moong beans.’
But, it doesn’t really matter what you call ’em, because they’re straight up delicious (especially in soup with a rich curry coconut base).
And I don’t know about you, but I could still use all the comfort food!
Why This Split Mung Bean Soup is Great
- Uses pretty budget-friendly/humble ingredients
- Made in one pot for easy preparation and cleanup
- It’s gluten free, dairy free and vegan
- Uses mostly pantry (and freezer) ingredients and some hearty vegetables
- It tastes delicious!
What Are Split Mung Beans?
Split mung beans are basically the hulled and split portion of a whole mung bean.
They’re naturally gluten free, inexpensive and cook quickly.
How to Make Mung Bean Soup
Full details in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Heat some oil in a pan and cook onion.
- Add garlic and ginger.
- Stir in carrot and sweet potato.
- Add tomato paste, curry powder, turmeric, chili flakes, salt, pepper.
- Add split mung beans.
- Pour in broth and cook.
- Coconut milk is added next.
- Add spinach.
- Cook until spinach has wilted and everything has warmed through.
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Do I Have to Soak The Beans?
Nope!
Just rinse well and drain.
They cook pretty quickly, which is also a bonus!
Can I Use Fresh Spinach Instead of Frozen?
I’ve made this soup with frozen spinach and fresh.
Fresh baby spinach can be added at the end when everything is cooked. The residual heat in the pot will wilt it.
If you use frozen spinach, you just need to cook it a little longer.
Another thing to keep in mind is the frozen spinach will give you more green flecks in your soup, whereas the fresh spinach will have larger pieces. The taste is still the same, of course!
Amp Up The Flavour & Other Ideas
Serve this yellow mung bean soup with a wedge of lemon to really brighten things (or a splash of white vinegar).
Herbs, like cilantro or green onion add a lovely flavour and pop of flavour.
Dab with a little Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt).
Grilled naan is delicious for dunking into this soup.
More Helpful Tips
Full-fat coconut milk was used (and recommended) here over, say, a light variety.
Use less red chili flakes if you don’t like spice. Just add (or not) to taste.
Instead of store-bought broth, try my homemade veggie broth.
More Delicious Vegan Soups
Hope you love this curried mung bean soup recipe as much as we do!
Fan of mung beans? There’s another mung bean recipe heading your way soon 😉
If you try this split mung bean soup, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Yellow Split Mung Bean Soup with Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 yellow onion , peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger , minced
- 2 carrots , peeled & chopped small (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 sweet potato , peeled & diced (about 1.5 cups)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (or less if you like things less spicy)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1.25 teaspoons salt (or to taste. See 'Recipe Notes' below regarding salt.)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup split mung beans (rinsed and drained)
- 4.5 cups unsalted vegetable broth
- 14 ounce can full-fat coconut milk (about a 400 millilitre can)
- 4 to 5 ounces frozen spinach (or fresh baby spinach)
Instructions
- In a large pot on medium heat, add coconut oil.
- Once melted, add onion and cook 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute.
- Add carrots and sweet potato.
- Stir in tomato paste, curry powder, chili flakes, turmeric, salt, pepper and split mung beans. Cook 1 to 2 minutes.
- Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to a medium simmer, cover ajar and cook 15 minutes.
- Stir in coconut milk and frozen spinach. Bring to a low simmer, cover ajar and cook 5 to 8 minutes, just until spinach has broken down and warmed through. Enjoy! Yields 4 to 6 servings.Note: If using fresh spinach instead of frozen, just add at the very end and wilt.
Notes
- ‘Unsalted’ vegetable broth was used. If you use anything otherwise, like ‘regular’ or ‘low sodium’, you may want to add less salt.
- Nutrition information (estimate only) is based on 6 servings.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Matt - Total Feasts
I’m just picturing a warming bowl of this, it is just the type of soup I love. Lots of flavour and a little heat, delightful. Hope you’re all staying safe.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Matt! Same to you 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Another great soup! I’m not familiar with mung beans. They look similar to lentils or split peas in the picture. I’ll need to check my local grocery store to see if they have these.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kathy! They’re nice and hearty and totally delicious 🙂
Valentina
I always love your soups. I think I actually have everything to at least make a variation of this. Perfect for a cozy meal. (P.S. The bowls in your photos are so beautiful. Love them.) 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thank you so much, Valentina! So kind 🙂
Laura
Dawn, I love the look of this beautiful hearty soup! I’ve never cooked with mung beans, going to have to look for them at the store. Sounds so lovely with the curry and coconut milk!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Laura! I love coconut milk 🙂
Leanne
You have so many comforting soup recipes Dawn, but this one looks the coziest. It looks so thick. Perfect for coating your insides on days like today with lots of freezing rain. Hope you’re staying well. I haven’t tried mung beans yet, but I’ll have to add them to the list the next time I venture to the grocery store!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Leanne! Same to you! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
David @ Spiced
This soup looks delicious, Dawn! I love all of the seasonings and flavor that you’ve packed into this soup. Wish I had a nice hot bowl of this on the counter for lunch today! Hope you have a great start to your week, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you David! Have a lovely weekend ahead 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Totally my kind of dish, Dawn. I could eat curries every single day! I can’t say I’ve ever cooked with mung beans though! You have the most unique recipe ideas, I love it!! Hope you’re staying happy and healthy my friend! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I could too! Thank you Katherine! Same to you! XO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I don’t think I’ve ever made soup with mung beans so I think it’s time to start. This sounds cozy and delicious! I could go for a huge bowl right now!
Marissa
Now this is my kind of healthy eating! Loaded with flavor and so thick and rich. I really wish this was my dinner tonight!