Description
This Instant Pot Red Curry Lentils recipe is a creamy, spicy, and healthy dish that’s quick and easy to make. Packed with bold flavors from red curry paste, garam masala, and turmeric, it combines brown lentils with coconut milk for a rich, comforting meal. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner, it’s served best over rice and garnished with fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups brown lentils
- 1/2 large onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch knob of ginger, minced
- A few good shakes of cayenne pepper
- 2 cups water
- 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt (more to taste)
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee (optional)
- Cilantro for garnishing
- Rice for serving
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: Place the brown lentils, diced onion, red curry paste, optional sugar, garam masala, curry powder, turmeric, minced garlic, minced ginger, cayenne pepper, water, tomato sauce, and coarse salt into the Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook: Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally by letting it sit undisturbed for an additional 10 minutes.
- Finish with coconut milk and butter: After releasing the remaining pressure and opening the lid, stir in the coconut milk and butter or ghee until fully incorporated. Taste the lentils and adjust seasoning with salt or spices as needed.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the red curry lentils hot over cooked rice, topped with fresh cilantro for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- Guess what’s for dinner? Creamy, spicy, and delicious red curry lentils made effortlessly in the Instant Pot.
- This recipe is a fantastic option for a quick, healthy, and filling weeknight meal.
- To add extra richness, feel free to include optional butter or ghee at the end.
- Adjust cayenne pepper and sugar according to your preferred level of heat and sweetness.
- Serve with rice or your favorite grain for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup cooked lentils with sauce)
- Calories: 268
- Sugar: 4.3 g
- Sodium: 339.2 mg
- Fat: 6.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37.3 g
- Fiber: 16.5 g
- Protein: 14.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
