Green Lentil Curry (Instant Pot + Stovetop)
This Vegan Green Lentil Curry recipe can be in an Instant Pot pressure cooker or on the stovetop for one quick, easy, healthy and delicious Indian inspired dish!

A good curry is my kind of comfort food, and my go-to when I do not feel like cooking very much. Throw a few flavorful ingredients together, and you can have one healthy and delicious meal ready to enjoy right away or have on hand to enjoy throughout the week. It’s a win all around, and this delightful green lentil coconut curry is no exception.
Recipe Features
- Super easy to make.
- Bursting with big flavors, and delightful textures.
- Packed with protein and fiber.
- Great enjoyed right away, or meal prepped for some excellent leftovers.
- Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free.
What Ingredients are Needed to Make Green Lentil Curry?
- Oil.
- Onion.
- A special spice blend.
- Green lentils.
- Coconut milk.
- Coconut sugar.
- Apple cider vinegar.
How-to Make Instant Pot Lentil Curry – Step by Step
Top Tips for Making Green Lentil Curry
Can I use brown lentils instead of green lentils?
Yes. No further adjustments necessary.
- The coconut sugar can be replaced with any sweetener of your choosing.
- For a sugar-free lentil curry, we love this sugar-free sweetener.
- Thrive Market makes my absolute favorite canned coconut milk.
- Vinegar can be replaced with lemon juice if you would prefer.
- If you prefer a creamier and wetter curry (more like a dal), stir in 1/2 cup-1 cup more of coconut milk at the very end right before serving.
How Do I Serve Green Lentil Curry?
- On its own.
- Whip up some Instant Pot brown rice.
- Alongside millet or quinoa.
- Alongside naan bread.
- As a baked potato topping.
- With onion samosas.
More Lentil Recipes
Instant Pot Red Lentil & Potato Curry (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Red Lentil Flatbread Pizza Crust (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Spicy Southwestern Vegan Corn Chowder with Quinoa, Potatoes + Red Lentils
Spicy Coconut Red Lentil Dal (Instant Pot + Stovetop)
You might also like: Instant Pot paneer lasagna.
Green Lentil Curry (Instant Pot + Stovetop)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 red onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon yellow curry powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 1/2 cups green lentils
- 1 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk +optional extra; see ‘Tips’ above
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- sea salt or pink salt to taste
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to saute mode. Add oil and chopped onion. Saute for 5 minutes.
- Add spices (curry through red chili flakes). Stir. Let saute for 2 minutes.
- Add lentils and coconut milk. Stir.
- Add water. Stir.
- Place lid on, set valve to sealing. Cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Press cancel, release steam and remove lid.
- Stir in vinegar. Salt to taste.
- Optionally (see ‘Tips’ section above in post), stir in extra coconut milk.
- Serve and enjoy!
Stovetop Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, add oil and onion. Saute for five minutes.
- Add spices (curry through red chili flakes). Stir and let cook for 2 minutes.
- Add lentils, milk and 2 ½ cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, cover, turn heat down to a simmer. Let simmer for 45 minutes or until lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been reduced.
- Stir in vinegar. Salt to taste. Optionally, stir in extra coconut milk (see ‘Tips’ section above in post).
- Serve and enjoy!
I don’t care for coconut milk, could you use heavy cream?
Yes, most certainly! 🙂
I’ve been looking for new healthy instant pot recipes 🙂 This will be perfect for fall! Love the pink salt suggestion
I’m so excited to try this recipe! It looks amazing and I am always looking for new ways to use lentils!
This looks so creamy and delicious! I’ve never tried cooking lentils in coconut milk before! I bet it’s amazing. I’m so excited to try it!
Once the weather cools down, I’ll defiantly be bringing out my crockpot and making this.
I’m a big fan of your lentil dishes and KNOW I’ll give this a try!