Name: Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 medium onion, (diced); 3 garlic cloves, (minced); 2½ teaspoons curry powder; 1½ teaspoons turmeric; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; ½ teaspoon garam masala; ¼ teaspoon ground ginger; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth; 1 (14-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, (undrained); 1 (13.5-ounce) can light coconut milk; 2 medium sweet potatoes, (peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces); 1 cup red lentils, (rinsed and drained); 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 teaspoons lime juice; chopped fresh cilantro and sliced green onion, (for serving); brown or white rice

Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry is a healthy vegetarian meal that is full of spicy flavor. It’s a super filling and satisfying meal.

Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry over white rice.

This vegetarian curry has tons of flavor from lots of spices: curry powder, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, garam masala, ginger, cayenne, and cumin. It’s a lot of spice and it smells wonderful while it cooks. The warm spices make this dish perfect for a chilly day.

How To Serve Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry

Serve over white, brown, or cauliflower rice and top with chopped fresh cilantro and sliced green onion. Also good with diced avocado. Great served over quinoa as well or it is thick enough to eat as is.

Variations

Butternut Squash can be substituted for the sweet potatoes.
Use chopped fresh ginger instead of ground ginger.
Use full-fat coconut milk for extra richness.
Double the cayenne pepper to make it spicier.

Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry in a Dutch oven.

One Pot Meal

This whole meal gets cooked in one pot for easy clean-up. You’ll start by sauteing some onion and garlic. Then add all the spices, some broth, diced tomatoes, coconut milk, sweet potatoes, lentils, and tomato paste. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are soft and the lentils are done.

Red Lentils

You want to use red lentils for this recipe, not green lentils or brown lentils. Red lentils are high in protein and fiber. Their flavor is a little sweeter and their shape breaks down as they cook so they work well in a curry. They take about 15 to 20 minutes to cook.

Storage

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days. Reheat in a microwave.

More Vegetarian Recipes

Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry

Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry is a healthy vegetarian meal that is full of spicy flavor. It's a super filling and satisfying meal.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword lentils, sweet potatoes, vegetarian

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2½ teaspoons curry powder
1½ teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garam masala
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
1 (14-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (13.5-ounce) can light coconut milk
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
1 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons lime juice
chopped fresh cilantro and sliced green onion, for serving
brown or white rice

Instructions

Heat oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven. Add onion and cook 4 minutes to soften.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add curry powder, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, garam masala, ginger, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Stir well and cook for 30 seconds.
Add broth, diced tomatoes, coconut milk, sweet potatoes, lentils, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lentils are cooked and sweet potato is soft.
Stir in lime juice.
Ladle over rice and sprinkle with cilantro and green onion.