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Low Carb Vegetarian Recipes Protein-Packed Lentil Curry

When I first tried making lentil curry at home, I wasn’t expecting much. But one spoonful in, and I had to laugh at myself—why had I waited so long to discover this treasure? Lentil curry recipes like this one are the kind of comfort food that sneaks up on you. The sauce wraps itself around each bite, warm and spiced without being overbearing, like a cozy sweater you didn’t realize you needed. I love that it checks all the boxes too. High protein low carb vegetarian recipes are tough to come by, but this one pulls it off without breaking a sweat. Lentils bring the protein, while the low carb vegan recipes crowd gets to celebrate that it’s hearty yet light enough to keep you feeling good. If you’ve ever been on the hunt for vegan curry recipes that don’t feel like rabbit food, this one’s going to hit the spot. Cooking this feels less like following a formula and more like building something nourishing. It reminds me that Vegetarian Curry Recipes don’t need a long ingredient list to taste special. It’s budget-friendly, approachable, and as someone who cares about vegetarian protein recipes that actually taste exciting, this lentil curry has become one of my weeknight go-tos. If your kitchen needs a new hero, this just might be it.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian-Inspired
Keywords: high protein low carb vegetarian recipes, lentil curry recipes, low carb vegan recipes, low carb vegetarian recipes, vegan curry recipes, Vegetarian Curry Recipes, vegetarian protein recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Camila

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent.
  2. Add garlic and ginger, stirring until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle in curry powder, cumin, and turmeric. Stir for 1 minute to wake up the spices.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. Stir well.
  5. Add rinsed lentils, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
  6. Cover and cook for 25–30 minutes until lentils are tender and the curry thickens.
  7. Season with salt, pepper, and lime juice before serving.
  8. Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy with rice or flatbread.