Vegan Indian Mulligatawny
This deeply spiced soup is the kind of bowl that warms you from the inside out — fragrant with curry powder, cumin, coriander, and turmeric, and finished with a generous pour of full-fat coconut milk that makes everything silky and rich. The addition of diced apple alongside carrot and red lentils gives the broth a subtle sweetness that balances the heat from the cayenne beautifully. Red lentils are the real workhorse here: they simmer down until they practically dissolve, naturally thickening the soup without any cream or butter in sight. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice stirred in at the end brightens the whole pot and keeps the flavors lively rather than heavy. Served over fluffy basmati rice, it's a complete, satisfying meal that comes together in one pot with pantry staples you likely already have on hand. This recipe makes four servings, so it's perfect for a weeknight dinner with leftovers that taste even better the next day.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring the basmati rice, 2 cups water, and 1/4 tsp salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
- 2
Heat the coconut oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
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