Simple Curried Lentils and Broccoli Recipe
This simple dish of curried lentils can be enjoyed plain or accompanied by poached eggs, cottage cheese, chicken, pasta, or smothered in homemade tomato sauce.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CURRIED LENTILS RECIPE?
It’s simple and quick to prepare.
If you don’t like sauces or tomatoes, keep curried lentils plain or add tomato sauce, coconut milk, cottage cheese, or cream.
Add your favorite spices.
Pair it with quinoa, meat, poached eggs, avocado, or fish.
I focus on a protein-dense diet, and cooked brown lentils provide about 9-12 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Brown lentils are budget-friendly and easily sourced.
While apple is optional, I love it because it adds natural sweetness to the earthy curried lentils.
TRY THESE VEGETABLE RECIPES
- Gluten-Free Red Lentil Bagel/Buns
- Protein-Rich Meal Ideas
- Roasted Herbed Sweet Potatoes with Broccoli
- Sauteed Radishes via Stetted
- Cauliflower and Pea Soup with Dumplings
Curried Lentils and Broccoli (serves 4)
Ingredients
Curried Lentils
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced or sliced
- 1 cup chopped carrot
- 1 tsp curry powder
- black pepper
- 1 cup dried brown lentils
- 1 ¼ cup chicken broth/vegetable broth
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp salt
- dash fresh nutmeg
Broccoli
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets sliced
- 1 apple (optional) washed, cored and sliced to 1/2 inch slices
Instructions
Lentils
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent. Add 2 tablespoons of chopped/sliced garlic and cook, stirring, for a minute. Add chopped carrot. Saute for 3-5 minutes. Season with black pepper and 1 teaspoon curry powder. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring.
- Wash 1 cup of brown lentils well until the water runs clean. Remove any stones or debris. Add lentils to the onion mixture. Pour in 1¼ cups of bone broth/vegetable broth and 1 cup water. Bring it to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Add 1 bay leaf. Cover with a lid and cook the lentils for about 20-30 minutes, until tender but not too mushy. You might need to add more broth/water as needed.Season with salt and pepper and a dash of freshly zested nutmeg.
Broccoli
- In a deep skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add about 3cup of broccoli florets and cook over moderate heat until lightly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add apple slices and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in 1/4 cup of water and cook until broccoli is just tender but still crisp.
- Divide evenly among 4 plates.
- Serve.
This recipe was originally published on November 17, 2012. On January 13, 2026, I updated this recipe with written text and a recipe card.
