Coconut Lentil Curry (Jamaican Style) is absolutely flavorful with the right balance of flavors? Well, you will see that this is the best lentil curry recipe. This lentil coconut curry will be a huge hit among your friends and family.
I make coconut curry recipes at least once a week, so I’m always sharing them, such as these amazing curry recipes: Jamaican Spicy Potato Curry, Vegan Chickpea Curry, Curry Cabbage.

Coconut Lentil Curry (Jamaican Style)
I love how lentil curry is so hearty. It can definitely feed a large crowd and it is so easy to prepare. You can leave out the carrots, potato, and dumplings and serve it with my Gluten-Free Vegan Flatbread or Brown Jasmine Rice.
The next great thing about lentils is that a little goes a long way, it is very economical, versatile and has great nutritional benefits. I only used one cup of lentils to make this incredibly delicious stew.
For the curry powder, you can use my Easy Curry Powder Recipe or you can use Chief Curry Powder for a Caribbean flavor. I used Not Chicken Bouillon Cubes for the vegetable bouillon.
Health Benefits Of Lentils
- High in protein, one cup of cooked lentils contains 18 grams of protein.
- Lentils are high in fiber, one cup of cook lentils contains 15.6 grams of fiber.
- Lentils are a great source of calcium, one cup of cooked lentils contains 38 grams of calcium.
- Lentils are a great source of magnesium, one cup of cooked lentils contains 75 milligrams of magnesium.
- Lentils are a great source of iron, one cup of cooked lentils contains 6.6 milligrams of iron.

How To Make Coconut Lentil Curry?
- Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium-high, add onion and cook until onions are soft. Stir in chopped bell pepper, green onion, ginger, garlic, and thyme, and cook until fragrant.
- Add curry powder, cumin, paprika, allspice, and vegetable bouillon, and stir, cooking for one minute.
- Add lentils and coconut milk, and stir to coat.
- Add 4 cups of water, bring to a boil, cover saucepan and cook for 45 minutes or until lentils are tender.
- Add the remaining cup of water, Scotch bonnet pepper, carrot, potato, and dumplings. Bring to a boil again, reduce to simmer until vegetables and dumplings are cooked, about 15 minutes.
- If the stew is too thick, add extra water or vegetable broth. Check the seasoning, and add more salt if needed. Serve immediately, as lentil curry will thicken as it cools.
Other Lentil Recipes To Try
- Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
- Jamaican Lentil Patties
- Vegan Lentil Stew
- Lentil Meatballs
- Vegan Lentil Loaf
- Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Soup
- Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers

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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
(Per serving)- Energy: 376 kcal / 1572 kJ
- Fat: 20 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Carbs: 40 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 15 min
- Cooking: 1 h
- Ready in: 1 h 15 min
- For: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons oil, I used avocado
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 2 sprigs of thyme
- 2 tablespoons curry powder, *link to recipe
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 2 vegetable bouillon
- 1 cup dried lentils, sorted and washed
- 1 (15-ounces) can coconut milk
- 5 cups water, divided
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- 1 large potato, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 batch of Dumplings, (optional) *link to recipe
- 1 Scotch Bonnet pepper, or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium high, add onion and cook until onions are soft. Stir in chopped bell pepper, green onion, ginger, garlic, and thyme, and cook until fragrant.
- Add curry powder, cumin, paprika, allspice, and vegetable bouillon, and stir, cooking for one minute.
- Add lentils and coconut milk, and stir to coat.
- Add four cups of water, bring to a boil, cover saucepan and cook for 45 minutes or until lentils are tender.
- Add the remaining cup of water, Scotch bonnet pepper, carrot, potato, and dumplings. Bring to a boil again, reduce to simmer until vegetables and dumplings are cooked, about 15 minutes.
- If the stew is too thick, add extra water or vegetable broth. Check the seasoning, and add more salt if needed. Serve immediately, as lentil curry will thicken as it cools.
The best curry !!
I cook this at least once a month for the past 2 years. It’s our family favourite soup. Thank you for sharing.
From the instructions given or seen , I’m going to prepare this recipe because it’s healthy and nutritional benefits .
I saved this recipe to make and forgot. Now that i am reading it i notice you did not mention pre soaking the lentils. Did you use canned lentils or dried ones. Would the cooking time be less if you pre-soaked them.?
Lentils don’t need soaking June, it only takes about 25 -30 minutes to cook.
This is a very healthy recipe
Thank you so much for this recipe! It is one of my absolute favourites!!!
I’ve just gotten myself an instant pot – i was wondering whether you had any advice on how to use this recipe with an instant pot to get the best results?
This looks like something I would definitely try
Btw, I’m doing the vegan gumbo on Wednesday. The Jamaican squash fries on Friday. Can’t wait to share the experience.
Savi, Ooh lovely, I hope you enjoy tham. Thank you for trying!
Ms. Michelle!! Baybehhhh!! When I tell you my whole house smashed this! I’ve got photos too! I cannot say enough about this one hunti! Yum yum and more yum! I doubled this to make a huge pot and I don’t have enough leftovers 😭🥴. Means I gotta cook again today.
But anyway, THIS gets 10 stars for me. I did leave out the scotch bonnet because my twins don’t like the heat but I used a nice curry paste that gave it just the right amount.
I’m super stoked over this one. It’s going in the recipe folder 😋. Since I’m on a quest to have healthier options for I and my family you are my new favourite food blogger.
Not to mention you’re a Florida girl. I live on the West Coast now but I was born and raised in Central Florida. Thank you again. I’m going to share your link on my blog about my experiences with healthier food choices. Thank you so much for your work.
Sorry for the long comment 👑🖤🌹🥰
Hello Savi, I’m so excited that you and your family enjoyed it. It is definitely one of my favorites. I can bet how lovely it is to live in California. I’m having a great time living here in Florida. Thank you very much for your lovely feedback, I really enjoyed reading it.
Delicious recipe.
Thank you Chris, I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
Made this tonight – it was sooo good! I’ve been making quite a few of your recipes lately and I’m always pleased with the result. Thank you for sharing such great dishes ☺️