Curried Red Lentil and Tomato Soup
A thick, warming soup of red lentils and tomato with mild curry spices, ready in 30 minutes and ideal for lunch boxes.
Made with Curry base sauce (onion and tomato). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.50 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and fry the onion and carrots for 6 minutes until starting to soften.
6 min - 2
Stir in the cumin and coriander and cook for 30 seconds.
- 3
Add the rinsed lentils, your ready made curry base sauce (see the base recipe), the tomato purée and the water. Bring to the boil.
- 4
Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until the lentils have collapsed.
20 min - 5
Blend half the soup with a stick blender for a thick, part chunky texture. Season with the salt.
- 6
Stir in the lemon juice, ladle into bowls and top with coriander.
Tips
- Rinse red lentils until the water runs clear to avoid scum.
- Blend only half for a soup with body but still some texture.
- Thin with boiling water if it thickens on standing.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 4 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. Cool within 2 hours, freeze in portions and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is it spicy?
It is mild and warming. Add chilli flakes or a pinch of cayenne for more heat.
Is it gluten free and vegan?
Yes. It is vegan and free from gluten, dairy, egg and nuts as written, with no stock cube needed.
Can I use other lentils?
Yellow split lentils cook in the same time. Green or brown lentils need 35 to 40 minutes.
More made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Prawn Vindaloo (Goan Style King Prawn Vindaloo)
GFDFEFPaneer Tikka Masala (Restaurant Style)
EFNFVLamb Kofta Curry in Onion and Tomato Gravy
DFEFNFMeen Moilee (Kerala Fish Moilee)
GFDFEFSee every dish made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
