Vegan Lentil Curry is a Delicious Meal Made in a Slow Cooker that is Packed with Protein and Nutrition. This Lentil Recipe Can be Done in Under 7 Hours

Vegan Lentil Curry is a staple in Indian food.  We love curry and lentil is right at the top of the list.  Here is a Vegan Lentil Curry recipe like no other!

In this vegan lentil curry, you will find pinto beans, small potatoes, purple potatoes, cherry tomatoes, red onions and a whole bunch of Indian spices that are great for the digestive system.

Overhead view of a blue bowl on a green plate filled with vegan lentil curry. On the top left, a mini slow cooker filled with the same curry is visible. To the left, a spoon and a fork are on top of a folded red cloth

All my recipes, so far, have been quick easy meals that haven’t taken more than an hour to make.  This recipe on the other, takes about 7 hours to make.

I decided to go into the slow cooker recipes because they are all the rage.

A mix of dry lentils and pinto beans on a white paper

I discovered that a vegan lentil curry is best when slow cooked.  Turns out, all these years, I was cooking them incorrectly.  Cooking it on the stove top never let all its flavors marinate and bring them to the surface.

This mini slow cooker is my faithful appliance.  It made the journey with me from NJ and it has been very useful.  You can use your regular crockpot slow cooker for the same amount of time.

Front view of a small slow cooker

Turmeric is a very important spice.  I added it to this recipe as it is a staple in all Indian food.  It is called the world’s healthiest spice for good reasons.  Click here to read all about the Turmeric.

I made vegan bolognese sauce in a slow cooker and it turned out so deliciously good!  Try it for your next dinner idea when you don’t feel like cooking.

Check out my kale curried red lentils and my pressure cooker red lentil soup

So, what is your favorite slow cooker recipe?

Overhead and closeup view of a bowl filled with vegan lentil curry. Bowl is on top of a red plate
Overhead view of a blue bowl on a green plate filled with vegan lentil curry. On the top left, a mini slow cooker filled with the same curry is visible. To the left, a spoon and a fork are on top of a folded red cloth

Vegan Lentil Curry – Slow Cooked

Rini
Vegan Lentil Curry – Made using slow cooker. Added Indian spices and flavors.
Go Ahead, Rate it now!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 7 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 236 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a medium pan, add the oil and warm it at low heat
  • Add both mustard seeds and allow the black mustard seeds to pop
  • Add the cumin seeds
  • Add the turmeric and cayenne pepper
  • Add the ginger and garlic and saute for 30 seconds
  • Add the curry leaves followed immediately by water and tomato puree
  • Heat for a couple minutes and then remove from heat
  • Turn on your slow cooker and allow it warm up for about 5 minutes
  • Add the tomato puree with all the spices into the slow cooker
  • Add the lentils and pinto beans
  • Stir well once and then allow it to cook on its own for 4-5 hours
  • After 5 hours, open the lid and stir. Add more water, if needed
  • Add the cherry tomatoes and cook uncovered for the next 2 hours
  • Stir it occasionally
  • Remove from the slow cooker and serve with naan or rice. Or Both! 🙂

Notes

Nutrition Info is approximate
Please note that these instructions and ingredient amounts are based on my small slow cooker.  If you are cooking in a crockpot or a slow cooker, please adjust the volume based on that.  Also, cook time will vary based on your slow cooker

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal
Keyword curry cooked in slow cooker
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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19 Comments

    1. Thank you, Meghan. In Indian cooking, potatoes and lentils go hand-in-hand. I hope you like it. You can always skip the potatoes and try the recipe without it.

    1. Thank you, Michelle. Growing up, we always had red beans or lentils in curry. So, for me, pinto beans is normal. I forgive you for adding meat to the recipe. 🙂

  1. I never had a slow cooker until about 6 or 7 years ago and I certainly had to learn what foods I can use it for and which ones I can’t. I do love using it in the winter and love finding recipes that others have already tried out for me. Looking forward to trying yours.

  2. Believe it or not, I just got my first slow cooker a couple of months ago. I’ve tried several recipes but not any stews. Can’t wait to give this a try because I’m a BIG fan of lentils. Yum!!

    1. Thank you, Debra! I think you will end up falling in love with your slow cooker! The dishes turn out so great that You will find yourself cooking in it regularly