Vanilla And Bean

Sweet and Savory Vegetarian

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup

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Thick, creamy, rich and simple to make, Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup is an elegant, quick and delicious soup for any season. vegan + gluten free

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup {Vegan} | Vanilla And Bean

I hardly ever watch TV. But on Monday night when the Bachelor is on, I’m parked in front of it. Time suck yes, but it appeals to me for whatever reason. Monday night was a disaster! Did you watch?

What’s up with Chris Soules? He let Kaitlyn go. He made a mistake and won’t realize it until she’s moved on with her life and it’s too late. I wanted to reach out and shake him, tell him nooooooooo. He needs a sistah right now to set him straight.

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup {Vegan} | Vanilla And Bean

I think Chris could also use a big ol’ pot of this soup and rethink his decision. Obviously he hasn’t had a home-cooked meal in far too long, out escapading in Bali and other tropical locations. The nutrition will give him clarity and the hint of spice will get his endorphins moving, although I’m not sure that’s what he needs.

Homemade soup is like that. It’s clean-eating at its finest.

You wouldn’t know soup is made in this house each week based on how many soup recipes I’ve posted in almost a year. This is my third.

Yup.

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup {Vegan} | Vanilla And Bean

I’ve been holding out on y’all.

But no more! And this is one you’ll love.

Thick, rich, filling, and nutritious, this curried French lentil soup is on our regular rotation.

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup {Vegan} | Vanilla And Bean

It’s a quick weeknight soup to pull together and is so satisfying. All the ingredients are pantry staples, save the fresh herbs, so in a pinch, I can whip this soup up in no time flat.

Served with a salad and sourdough or naan, it’s a quickie!

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup {Vegan} | Vanilla And Bean

There is more to love about this soup, besides its nutrition. It’s economical. With only a few ingredients and the spices and lentils being bought in bulk, this soup costs about $1.50 per serving. That’s a lot less than the Bachelor spent on a single rose, I’m certain.

Soup or rose? I’ll take the soup, please. Chris, will you accept this soup?

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup {Vegan} | Vanilla And Bean
4.84 from 12 votes
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Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup

Rich, creamy, and comforting, this nutritious soup will become a family favorite. Under an hour, and it's ready easily fitting in to your weeknight dinner plans. {Gluten Free + Vegan}
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 5 Servings
Author Vanilla And Bean

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbs Coconut Oil
  • 3 Cloves of Garlic minced, about 1 1/2 Tbs
  • 1 C Yellow Onion small dice, about 1
  • 1 1/2 tsp Cumin ground
  • 1 tsp Curry Powder I use hot madras
  • 1 tsp Thyme dried
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon ground
  • 6 C Vegetable Broth
  • 1 1/2 C French Green Lentils picked through and rinsed, aka Lentils du Puy
  • 2 Leaves Bay
  • 14 oz Can of Coconut Milk with 2 Tbs reserved for drizzling (1 Can)
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 2 Sprigs of Fresh Cilantro chopped, for garnish (optional)
  • 4 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or 5 quart sauce pan on medium heat. Add the garlic and onion, stirring frequently until the onions are softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the cumin, curry powder, thyme, and cinnamon and cook for one minute, stirring several times until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the broth, add the lentils and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then turn heat to low, gently cooking the soup for about 35 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Remove the bay leaves. Transfer 1/3 - 1/2 of the soup to a high speed blender. Open the steam vent and place a damp towel over the top to allow some steam to escape while blending. Blend until smooth and thick. Alternatively, an immersion blender can be used to puree the soup. Return the pureed portion back to the soup pot and stir in the coconut milk. Add the salt and pepper and taste to adjust seasoning as desired. Gently reheat on low if needed.
  3. Ladle into bowls and drizzle reserved coconut milk over the soup. Garnish with fresh cilantro and/or thyme as desired.

Recipe Notes

This soup freezes with ease. Simply fill a jar with desired amount, leaving at least a 1/2" of headspace at top, lid, and freeze for up to a month. Thaw overnight in fridge.

Adapted from McCormick's.

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup {Vegan} | Vanilla And Bean

Thank you for reading! If you make this recipe, or any others on Vanilla And Bean, be sure to post it to Facebook or Instagram, notify me @vanillaandbean and tag #vanillaandbean! I’d love to see what you’ve made! Also, if you like my content, please consider sharing it with three friends and/or family and follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and/or Twitter.  Thank you!

 

Comments

  1. Delish. Made this for my vegie houseguest and it was a hit with the meat eaters too! They suggested some more kick with cayenne peepper. Putting it in my permanent files.

    Reply

    • Yes! Thank you Mel, corrected! I just switched my recipe cards on the blog and some had issues. Thank you for catching this one for me! :D

      Reply

  3. I saw the photo of this soup and I made it tonight, It was absolutely amazing. However, I did use chicken stock because that is what I has on hand. This soup smells so goooood cooking with the fragrance of curry and cumin. Feels like you’re eating in an Indian restaurant. The coconut milk defiantly makes this soup even more delicious. Great photo too. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Can’t wait to try more, especially puréed soups. This would also be great in a nice warm bread bowl.

    Reply

  4. I made this for dinner tonight and loved it. It’s simple, heart, and delicious! I used chicken, rather than vegetable stock, as that’s what I had on hand, but otherwise followed the recipe which I rarely do. This is an absolute keeper!

    Reply

    • Hi Elise! Are you referring to split peas? Most of the flavors in this soup come from the spices, so I’m sure just about any lentil will work. But I’m not sure what regular green lentils are. French lentils are dark greenish… Send a link to show me! I’d love to see what you’re working with. Go for it if you wish! Please let us know how you do!

      Reply

  6. It is so Yummy. Made it today. Tripled the recipe for a crowd. I know, that was gutsy but it worked!!! I will definitely make this again!!!

    Reply

    • Hooray Beverly! It IS soooo good, right? I’m so excited that you tripled the recipe and it turned out… that’s not always the case with all recipes! Gutsy yes! Yay YOU!! Thank you for sharing my dear! :D

      Reply

  7. Hi Traci,

    I just saw this soup, and know I must try it, however, I have zero chance of finding French lentils as I live in a very small town in the Arctic. I’m hoping that another lentil will still work in this soup? Your recipes are always soooo good, I don’t want to mess with the ingredients, but up here, improvise is the name of the game. Any thoughts on how changing them out might affect the flavour?

    Reply

    • Hello Chris from the Artic! Thank you for writing and your kind comment. I’ve read that beluga or brown lentils would make a good sub for French Lentils, but I’m thinking those cold be problematic to get as well. Red may be a good sub, with obvious color difference. If you use red (or pink), reduce the cook time by about 5-10 minutes. Since most of the flavor comes from the spices, I don’t see the flavor changing much if you stick with lentils. And since the soup is pureed, texture shouldn’t be an issue. Good luck Chris! I hope you’ll share your results with us!

      Reply

    • Hi Chris from the Arctic! I’m in the arctic too. No french lentils here either, but I do have Chickpeas which I’ll try to sub for French lentils.

      Reply

  9. Just made this soup and it turned out great. So simple and easy to make. Smells good in the process . Very fragrant. Thanks for posting. As with all the other posts, I agree that the pictures are very appetizing and rich!

    Reply

    • This is fabulous, Heather! Oh, yeah, all those spices wafting through the house is a treat! Thank you for writing and letting us know your thoughts :D! So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  10. We love our homemade soups and normally eat them 2-3 times a week for lunches so I always like to find an interesting new recipe. This one looks delicious and, as long as he doesn’t realise about the lentils until after he’s tasted the soup, I think my boyfriend will love it too!

    Reply

    • Isn’t soup the best?! That’s about how much we eat em too! Good luck with the lentils. I never thought I’d get these past Rob, but it is one of his favorites! Shew! Thanks for stopping by Stephanie! :D

      Reply

  16. How funny! I am not sure I would have guessed you are a bachelor fan! haha! I do love this soup though! I have never thought of a coconut curry spin on them, it is so clever! And your photos! Gah! I know I say this every time I comment but I adore them! So beautiful! I feel like I am in the kitchen cooking with you when I see them!

    Reply

    • I know… the secret is out! I’m a fan, hehe. Thank you for your sweet comments. I’d love to hang out and cook with you, Annie! :D

      Reply

  18. As a fellow lentil lover, I am so excited about this soup! I love the blend of spices you’ve used (hot madras curry sounds amazing – I must get my hands on some!) and the creaminess from the coconut milk sounds divine. And you make a great point about how inexpensive lentils are. It’s healthy, affordable comfort food at its finest! Thank you for sharing, Traci.

    Reply

    • LOL, Julia, Lentil lover! :D Meee tooooo!! Oh yes, the hot madras is worth seeking out. It’s not always easy to find so when I see it I grab several containers or bulk up at the bulk bins. Thank you, Julia! :D

      Reply

  19. Haha, Traci!! I used to watch the Bachelor but haven’t in so long. Maybe I need to start again! I just get so annoyed with all those reality tv people, but I also get addicted at the same time! It has been cold and windy all day here and it finally started to downpour a few minutes ago so I am definitely up for some soup right now! Lentil soup has always been one of my favorites and I bet the addition of curry and coconut is sooo good! Curry makes everything better :)

    Reply

    • Annoying and addicting at the same time? Why yes…. I know, Izzy. Once this season is over, the Bachelorette will start in early summer. In the mean time, The Amazing Race is sure to start again. Those are my two TV time sucks. Hope you enjoy the recipe, Izzy! :D

      Reply

  20. I love such simple vegan soups! Lentils and coconuts are surely amazing together, and your seasoning sounds delish too! And that food styling, omg…..the milk and the herbs on the soup, the bread and as you hold that spoon….just perfect! Great job as usually ;)

    Reply

    • Awh, thank you, Evi! I really love simple soups, and this is one of them. I think out of all the lentils, French are my favorite. They’re so Earthy and have an incredible texture.

      Reply

  22. I know, I was shocked when he sent Kaitlyn home too! What is he thinking?! She was my favorite.
    I think him and Whitney would be cute together though. I’m such a sucker for that show!

    I’m a sucker for a good soup too and this one is GORGEOUS. I just love the color and your beautiful photography. You would think it was expensive to make based on how pretty it is so the fact that it’s cheap and nutritious too is awesome!

    Reply

  26. Oh my gosh – you’re too funny! I haven’t been following along this season (seriously – at what – 2 hours long? It’s a totally time suck! Especially someone like me who will easily get addicted to it!). I LOVE this soup! Curried lentils? Sign me up for soup night please!

    Reply

  27. Hmmmm, I’d have to say my guilty pleasure right now has to be American Idol. Do you watch it? It’s sizing up to be a good one…so much talent! Speaking of talent…this soup is chock full of it. Your talent, that is. Another beautiful presentation and delicious offering, Traci. Pinned!

    Reply

  28. Listen, there’s nothing wrong with time suck television! I’m not even going to tell you what I watch…
    Sometimes mindless entertainment is very necessary. So who do you want Chris to pick? I’m routing for Becca (hope I’m not offending anyone!) but I bet you he picks Whitney. We’ll see ;)

    Your soup- I was delighted to see it pureed! I had the best lentil soup of my life years ago. There was this little French cafe right around the corner from our apartment and they served it pureed. Very memorable. Your recipe reminded me of good, warm memories. I love all of the flavors here too. I bet you kitchen smelled so good as it simmered away.

    Cheers to healthy, cheap eats & roses! xo

    Reply

    • :D Thank you for your note Emilie! I imagined you watching with your boys running circles around you! LOL! Time, suck? Yes. Necessary. Yes! Yes, please! I think I’m pulling more for Whitney, but I think she’ll get board. She’s a big city girl.

      Oh, the kitchen smelled soooo good and it lingered. I crave this soup, but then again, I’m a soup addict. I hope you enjoy this Emilie! :D

      Reply

  29. This soup looks just lovely, Traci. A good bowl of soup (especially spicy lentil) is the perfect meal at the end of a cold day. A little french bread and a glass of wine and you’re all set. PS: Your photos are gorgeous – the overhead ingredient shot is beautiful – and I love the shot of the soup with the coconut milk pattern and the thyme leaves.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Geraldine! I had fun shooting this soup. Beautiful food, indeed. There is a hint of spice in this soup, and you could even kick it up a bit more by adding additional hot madras. I agree, a glass of wine and crusty bread; I am done! :D

      Reply

  31. Right. So what is it about us otherwise level-headed women that allows us to get sucked-in by the cringeworthy embarrassing show known as the Bachelor? Talk about a seductive formula :D. I think I’d rather be enticed by your soup this week. Love all the thoughtful inclusions Traci. I was gifted a beautiful canister of lentilles du puy from a girlfriend at Christmas and this looks like the perfect application. Those fresh thyme leaves have an ethereal quality to them ~ I find myself drifting off to a heavenly place just looking at them. Your photos are fresh and lovely — that last one captures all the goodness of this nourishing soup – love seeing the depth and texture. Beautiful.

    Reply

    • IDk why/how we get sucked in.. You know, I certainly don’t think it’s all the drama, rather, I think it’s the romance of it all. They go to some pretty spectacular places and some dates are fairytailish. It’s a little counter intuitive, especially with the busy lives we lead. I mean, how could we give up 2 hours of our time for this?! LOL! What a lovely gift of lentils… oh and although I’ve served this soup with cilantro, the thyme absolutely makes this dish. I couldn’t get enough. Thank you, Kelly. :D

      Reply

  32. So bad, I haven’t watched this season, don’t know what is going on :) I totally forgot about the bachelor! Love lentil soup and this one looks delicious and photos are gorgeous! Pinned!

    Reply

  34. Chris made the biggest mistake! What’s he doing, leaving Kaitlyn? IMO, Becca is a dud. So now I’m routing for Whitney. Good thing is, I have a feeling Kaitlyn is going to be the next bachelorette.
    Swooning at this french lentil soup! Your photography continues to wow me, Traci!

    Reply

    • Yeah, now I’m rooting for Whitney, although I really thought Kaitlyn was it! It’s too bad. I hope she is the next bachelorette! :D I’ll be rooting for her! Re: my photography… I’m only doing what you told me to do! Thank you, my dear! :D

      Reply

  37. Oh I LUV The Bachelor!!!! Guilty pleasure for sure. So bad, it’s good! And yes, Chris was a dummy this week. GAH. He definitely needs a big bowl of soup and some sound advice form his momma! Ha ha ha. Gorgeous photos (as always!), Traci!

    Reply

  38. I love soup, and I love your blog. Not so much about reality tv…but then there’s that little Naked and Afraid habit…Anyway, just beautiful.

    Reply

  40. LMFAO!!!! I almost snorted my water out my nose as I read the first part of your post about Chris on the Bachelor regarding his “endorphins”. HA HA HA! Maybe he needs this soup to “calm” his endorphins down a bit, you know, keep the heat where it belongs instead of all those girls. lol!

    Thanks for the laugh and the recipe.

    Reply

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