Hearty Red Lentil Curry with Caramelized Onions

Recipe Collection: Dinner

Hearty Red Lentil Curry with Caramelized Onions is a vegan-friendly dish bursting with rich flavors and textures. Infused with aromatic spices and sweet caramelized onions, this Indian cuisine staple is perfect for a satisfying main meal. Serve it alongside basmati rice for a wholesome experience that will impress your family and friends.

With its warm, comforting flavor profile, this curry is versatile enough for any occasion—great for meal prep, cozy dinners, or even as a filling lunch. Easily select this recipe from the easyChef Pro App, where you can access personalized recommendations, AI-powered pantry tracking, and a smart shopping list to streamline your cooking process.

Overview

This aromatic red lentil curry is a rich and hearty dish, perfect as a main meal. Enhanced with caramelized onions and a blend of spices, this curry is both flavorful and satisfying. Serve it with basmati rice for a complete meal that is sure to impress.

Diet Type

Vegan

Allergies

None

Cuisine

Indian

Serving Size: 8

Cooking Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 Cups (cups) red lentils
• 3 Cups (cups) water
• 1 Tablespoon (tbsp) vegetable oil
• 1 Large onion, minced
• 2 Tablespoons (tbsp) curry paste
• 1 Tablespoon (tbsp) curry powder
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) turmeric, ground
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) cumin, ground
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) chili powder
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) salt
• 0.5 Teaspoon (tsp) white sugar
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) garlic, minced
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) fresh ginger, minced
• 14.25 Ounces (oz) can tomato puree

Steps

1. Gather all ingredients and prepare them as listed.
2. Rinse the red lentils in cold water until the water runs clear.
3. Place the lentils in a pot with enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer, adding water as needed to keep the lentils covered, until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
4. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized, about 20 minutes.
5. In a large bowl, mix together the curry paste, curry powder, ground turmeric, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, sugar, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Add this spice mixture to the caramelized onions in the skillet.
6. Increase the heat to high and cook the spiced onions, stirring constantly, until the mixture is fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
7. Stir in the tomato puree and the cooked lentils. Cook until the mixture is warmed through.
8. Serve the curry hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired, alongside basmati rice. Enjoy!

Enjoy your homemade Hearty Red Lentil Curry with Caramelized Onions!