Sri Lankan red lentil curry needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular curries from Sri Lanka that has made itself into every corner of the world. In my kitchen a hearty, delicious, authentic Sri Lankan red lentil curry made at least weekly. We have it over rice for dinner, breakfast with bread and coconut Sambol, spread on sandwiches, or just on its own. Sri Lankan red lentil curry is gluten free, nut free and a good source of plant protein, which is easy to make nutritious.

A big part of healthy meal planning strategy is having multiple, versatile sauce recipes. I love delightful red lentil curry even more when I can formulate the recipe into a lentil hummus with little alteration to the ingredients without changing its flavor. Red lentil curry dip or whole lentil curry dip makes much more nutritious, fulfilling finger food adaptation for my lunches or myself.

Sri Lankan red lentil curry is very versatile

Pulses are a wonderful way to add extra fiber and minerals along with essential proteins into your everyday diet. I have shared many of my favorite recipes to highlight how I incorporate lentils, and other hearty beans into my meal plans. Red lentils take the trophy because it’s one of the quickest and easiest to make, when I am in a hurry. My kids will wipe their plates clean whenever I make basmati rice and Lentils curry.

Read my vegan protein curries, for full recipes of some of my vegan, gluten free curry recipes.

Sri Lankan red lentil curry has lots of variations to it. It can be cooked very mild, or spicy depending upon mood or preference. My favorite variation is to add greens or another vegetable to the curry to make it even more nutritious. Red lentils can carry spinach, cabbage, chard, sorrel leaves, leeks to make some variation of Sri Lankan red lentil curry, which is equally delicious.

Incorporating red lentils isn’t just a Sri Lankan favorite This tiny red pulse is used in many curry and healthy meals around the world and provides a tantalizing culinary experience.

Exploring Global Red Lentil Recipes

Dive into the culinary tapestry of red lentil recipes from around the world, each offering a unique and flavorful take on this versatile legume:

• Red Lentil Dal (India): Experience the warmth of traditional Indian spices in this fragrant and comforting lentil stew, known for its rich flavors and aromatic appeal.
• Turkish Red Lentil Soup (Turkey): Delight in the hearty goodness of a Turkish favorite, a nourishing soup filled with red lentils, vegetables, and a harmonious blend of Middle Eastern spices.
• Ethiopian Mesir Wat (Ethiopia): Embark on a spicy culinary journey with this Ethiopian dish, a tantalizing stew of red lentils, onions, and the vibrant berbere spice blend, often savored with injera bread.
• Mediterranean Red Lentil Salad (Greece): Tantalize your taste buds with a refreshing Mediterranean salad featuring cooked red lentils, crisp vegetables, creamy feta cheese, and a zesty vinaigrette dressing.
• Red Lentil Coconut Curry (Thailand): Indulge in the creamy allure of a Thai-inspired coconut curry, where red lentils are infused with the exotic flavors of lemongrass, ginger, and luscious coconut milk, creating a dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

This vibrant array of red lentil recipes unveils the global appeal and culinary diversity present in the world of cooking, inviting you to savor the rich flavors and cultural essence woven into each delightful dish.

My favorite meals with Sri Lankan red lentil curry

Sri Lankan red lentil curry can go in many different quite delicious meals and snack preparations. A few of my favorite meals I have served are in the gallery, below.

• Sri Lankan red lentil curry as a sandwich spread
• Authentic rice and curry prepackaged meal with Rice, lentil curry, spicy stir fry, carrots fresh salad, and papadum (again with lentil flour)
• Swiss chard Lentil stew us a really comforting meal with some steamed rice
• Red lentil fritters are really good snacks on their own.
• Red lentil hummus is my favorite to dip veggies in

Incorporating red lentils into your diet is a simple and affordable way to boost your nutrient intake. Whether you’re looking to manage your weight, improve your gut health, or simply add more plant-based protein to your diet, red lentils are a versatile and nutritious choice. If you would like to read further about Nutrional benefits of red lentils look at no other than this detailed article by NIH.

How to cook red lentils correctly

Red lentils, which is a polished form of lentils with such ease, this Sri Lanakan red lentil curry is not complicated to make. I used my mild yellow curry to make this recipe. The same curry mix that I used to make the creamy chickpea curry.

Finely minced red onion, green chili, ginger, and garlic, along with pandan leaves and curry leaves, enhance the flavors of this mild Sri Lankan curry. Finish with thick coconut cream and a few fried chilies for extra spice boost. Sri Lankan red lentil curry is ready to eat in 15 minutes from start to finish.

Here is my bonus lentil dip that I always have on hand to pair with vegetable slices.

• One cup of lentil flour (I use whole or red lentils)
• Two cups of water
• One tsp of yellow curry powder and two tsp of red curry powder (any of your favorite mild curry powder will work)
• Some salt
• 1/3 cup of good olive oil
• tablespoon of coconut oil
• Minced red onion, two green peppers, one clove of garlic, inch piece of ginger

To make the dip ..
Sauté onions, green pepper ginger and garlic until translucent and add curry powder mix in the lentil flour mix in and cook on low adding water little bit at a time until the raw taste of lentils goes, and water is absorbed. Lentils will absorb quite a bit of water as they cook, and I like the texture to be thick and creamy. I ended up adding two cups of water. However, how much water needs to be added varies depending upon how thick or thin you want to cook lentils. Turn the heat off and add olive oil. Mix everything until smooth, and oil is absorbed.

Serve warm with sliced veggies, lettuce, jerky, or crackers.

My lentil recipes are well loved in my culinary journey, and I hope you will love these couple of simple recipes from my book. If you like them, please like, share, and subscribe to my blog.

With that , let’s make an authentic Sri Lankan red lentil curry.