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A bowl of Instant pot chickpea and lentil curry.
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5 from 1 vote

Easy Chickpea And Lentil Curry With Coconut Milk

Craving a tasty and budget-friendly vegan meal? This chickpea and lentil curry recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner option. Try it now!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegan
Allergen: Dairy free, Gluten free
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 5
Calories: 437kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Begin by rinsing the lentils in a strainer under cold water. Soak the lentils for 30 minutes in a bowl.
  • Press the sauté button. Once hot, add olive oil and add ginger and garlic.
    2 teaspoon ginger, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 garlic cloves
  • Add onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
    1 onion
  • Add tomato paste and 2 tablespoons of water and mix well. Add all the spices and stir well.
    ½ teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala powder, 2 teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder, ⅓ teaspoon turmeric powder, 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Add soaked, drained lentils and canned chickpeas. Add salt and water. Mix well.
    2 cup chickpeas, 1 cup lentil, salt to taste, 2 cup water
  • Close the lid, move the steam release handle to seal, and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
  • When timer expires, let the pressure release naturally.
  • Once the pin drops down, open the lid carefully and stir in coconut milk. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
    1 can coconut milk
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm with rice.

Stovetop method

  • Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  • Add ginger and garlic, sauté for a minute. Add onions and cook until translucent.
  • Add tomato paste and two tablespoons of water and mix well. Add spices and stir well.
  • Add soaked, drained lentils and canned chickpeas. Stir well.
  • Add salt and water (enough to cover the lentils by 1 inch).
  • Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes or until the lentils are fully cooked.
  • Stir in coconut milk to the tender lentils and let it simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm with rice.

Notes

  • For a thicker consistency, mash some of the lentils and chickpeas while cooking.
  • You can use any lentils for this recipe, but brown lentils, green lentils or red lentils hold up better in curries than red ones.
  • For a creamier version, use full-fat coconut milk.
  • Adjust the spice level according to your preference. If the dish turns out too spicy, add a teaspoon of lemon juice.
  • Along with lentils, you can add vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, or spinach for additional nutrients and texture.
  • Use 2-3 teaspoons of curry powder instead of individual blend of spices. 

Nutrition

Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 840mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 8mg