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indian lentil curry with rice and lemon wedges in a bowl.
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4.48 from 21 votes

Indian Lentil Curry

Feast your taste buds on this Indian Lentil Curry with tender pieces of pork! This one-pot wonder combines aromatic spices with hearty lentils and succulent pork for a soul-warming dish that's just perfect on a chilly day. It's simple, nutritious, and brimming with bold flavors that will transport you straight to the heart of India. Pair it with some fluffy rice, and you have a satisfying meal that's sure to impress.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: indian lentil curry, lentil curry
Servings: 6
Calories: 356kcal

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 pound pork tenderloin cut in small 1 inch pieces
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium carrot chopped
  • 1 medium jalapeno pepper chopped
  • cup red lentils
  • cups vegetable broth low sodium or no sodium added
  • parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • In a dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season pork pieces, with salt, pepper and chili powder. Add seasoned pork to the pot and sear the meat until it's brown. Remove meat from dutch oven and set aside.
    process shots showing how to make indian lentil curry.
  • Add remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to dutch oven and heat. Add garam masala and cumin and stir. Add the onion, garlic, carrot and jalapeno pepper, stir well and cook until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.
    process shots showing how to make indian lentil curry.
  • Add the lentils, meat and vegetable broth to dutch oven and stir. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Cover and cook until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
    process shots showing how to make indian lentil curry.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve over rice or plain.

Notes

  1. Adjust the Heat: The level of spiciness in this curry can be easily adjusted to suit your personal preference. If you prefer a milder curry, you can remove the seeds from the jalapeno pepper or even omit it entirely. Conversely, if you enjoy a hotter curry, feel free to add more chili powder or use a hotter variety of pepper.
  2. Use Fresh Spices: The flavor of spices can diminish over time, so for the best flavor, make sure you're using fresh spices. This is especially important for spices like garam masala which is a central flavor in this dish.
  3. Don't Rush the Searing: Searing the pork properly is important for building a rich, deep flavor in the curry. Don't rush this step, and make sure the pork is browned well before removing it from the dutch oven.
  4. Prep Ahead: You can cut your vegetables and meat in advance to save time. They can be stored in the refrigerator in airtight containers.
  5. Try it With Yogurt: For a creamy twist and to balance the heat, serve the curry with a spoonful of plain yogurt on top. It's a match made in heaven!
  6. Cook it Slowly: Don't rush the cooking process. Allow the lentils to simmer gently so they can fully absorb the flavors of the spices. This will also help them break down and give your curry a wonderfully creamy texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 639mg | Potassium: 813mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2004IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 4mg