Crockpots are quite magical. I'm tellin' ya, they're the stuff of dreams.
It's really a fantastical concept. You put a cup of this and a teaspoon of that into the bowl and within a few hours, it miraculously turns into dinner. Lazy people unite! I gotta be honest. Between serving, babysitting, sampling, recipe developing, blogging, nutrition counseling, doing homework, writing my thesis and going to class, I don't have the time nor the patience to stand over the stove cooking lentils. I mean I barely have the patience to do my hair. So I don't.
I bet if you put a broomstick and some feta in there it would transform into the best damn gyro you've ever laid mouth on.
If I let my [empty] wallet stew in there with a flaky croissant, would I be teleported to Paris?
If I stir together a couple pairs of stinky socks and my yoga pants, will I wake up with bulging biceps?
Maybe if I soak my thesis proposal in organic vegetable broth and let it simmer overnight I'll wake up to my diploma glued to my forehead.
Dreams aside, I know one thing for sure. If you dump some lentils, quinoa, veggies and curry paste in that bad boy, out comes a delish dinner that required next to no effort. Haaaaayyyy all my lazy party peeeoopppllleee!!
But I mean, it's no Paris.
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Crockpot Red Lentil & Quinoa Veggie Curry
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Entree
Description
A super easy and comforting one-pot-meal loaded with lentils, quinoa and veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup lite coconut milk
- ½ head of cauliflower, chopped into florets (about 3-4 cups)
- 1 large sweet potato, chopped (about 2 cups)
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¾ cup red lentils
- ¼ cup quinoa, uncooked
- 3 ½ tbsp red curry paste
- 2 tsp fresh ginger
- ½ tsp turmeric (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a 5 qt. crockpot. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until lentils are tender.
Notes
Adapted from my Crockpot Red Lentil, Quinoa and Cauliflower Curry
For more crockpot comfort, try my Super Easy Chickpea, Broccoli and Brown Rice Crockpot Casserole. You WON'T be sorry.
Meghan says
Delicious!
★★★★★
Alan says
HI Alexis - I want to try this. I am a fan of two of your crockpot recipes so far. Are the red lentils cooked? I assume sweet potato diced.
★★★
Alexis says
Hi Alan! The red lentils will cook in the crockpot so you can use dry, uncooked 🙂
Amy says
Hi Alexis.....Just finished prepping and "dumping" into my crockpot and can't wait to see the results! I've been craving a curry lately, so really excited to try your recipe. I sort of fudged and added some extra veggies and fresh turmeric in there....thinking I may add some fresh spinach or kale near the end to add some greens to the mix! Now, I just have to wait 6 hours!!!!!! and YES the crockpot is a Lifesaver for me too!!!!!!
Anne says
Hi,
I just picked up my very first crockpot and this is the first dish I'm going to try with it! So excited. Would it be possible to cook it at medium for less time? If low is best, I can wait for a day when I'll be home with ingredients and able to prepare it ~7.5 hours ahead . .
Thanks much,
Anne
Emily says
Hi Alexis! If I only have green lentils will this recipe be a disaster??
Alexis says
Hi Emily! Ummm red lentils cook up way faster so I'm honestly not sure :/ Let me know if it turned out ok! My hearty lentil, kale and potato soup uses green lentils 🙂
Ashley says
Oh I love easy crockpot recipes like this - they save me during busy weeks! And I am allllll about lentils right now - so I definitely have to give this a try! Looks awesome!
Karina says
I got a 3 qt. crock-pot for Christmas and I LOVE IT. I've only used it 3 times now but it makes food prep so much easier/less time consuming. I'll have to try this recipe....having a hard time finding good vegetarian recipes that aren't some version of chilis haha Also saw your pic in the Student Scoop. Congrats on your scholarship!
Alexis says
Yayyy for crockpots! What's the Student Scoop? I've never heard of it but I'd love to see the article you're talking about!
Karina says
It's the AND Student Newsletter! Here's a link but you'll need to sign into your account https://www.eatright.org/Members/content.aspx?id=2249
It's in the January 2014 issue. If the link doesn't work try searching their website (although their website search system is absolutely horrible). Hope you can see it!
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
This does look majorly delicious especially with the coconut milk and the (Thai Kitchen?) red curry paste. I've gone all these years without a slow cooker but I do use my rice cooker all the time and it can do some of these types of recipes, I need to explore that more. Wish yours did work on your thesis, wouldn't that be handy?
Alexis says
I actually used lite coconut milk from Trader Joe's because you can't be the 99 cents per can!
Danica @ It's Progression says
This looks fantastic! And I agree about crockpot meals - they're really the best way to go.
Alexis says
Thanks lady!
elle | nutritionella says
Yum! I've had a red lentil curry recipe brewing in my head for some time now too. I have a feeling I'll be turning my crockpot on Monday morning! 🙂 Happy Friday, Alexis!
Alexis says
Aren't they the best?? Especially with this freezing cold weather!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
crockpot is a life saver esp on weekdays!
Alexis says
They really are!! I'm dying for a crockpot cookbook 🙂
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Oh the crock pot is definitely my friend, too. The key for me is finding recipes Meghan will eat because she doesn't like soups, stews, or basically any food that's mixed together. Ugh. This recipe looks incredible though! I love a good curry.
Alexis says
Man oh man, I would NOT be good at pleasing a toddler who doesn't like her food mixed together! But I don't blame her...I think most toddlers feel that way. And most little tots probably don't love curry 🙂
Ella says
Dudeeee that sounds SO delish... sadly, I'm crockpot-less! Maybe I'll try making a stovetop version! How long do you think I'd have to simmer it for?
Alexis says
Wahhhhh I feel ya! You could definitely make this on the stove. I would bring it all to a boil and then simmer it (covered) until the lentils and veggies are tender! Hope it works out!
Ella says
Got it, thanks! I love that recipes like this aren't particular about what order you put stuff in/how long each thing has to cook before you add the next... Will definitely be trying this!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I just want to move into a crock-pot and then come out when it's time for retirement. It does all the work for you, it's like the ultimate life hack!
Loving this recipe and clearly I've been on a slow-cooker kick so consider it pinned!
Alexis says
SUCH a life hack. I too would like to chill in my crockpot until it's time for retirement. Maybe we can both squeeze in their together.
Shashi @ https://runninsrilankan.com says
So...if YOU put in YOUR wallet and a croissant, do you think I could be teleported to Paris too? (cos if I put my empty wallet in,it would spit it out and magically sprout legs and kick me to the curb!)
Wow - this is one heck of a smorgasbord of goodness! Awesome job on this curry!
Alexis says
Oh ya, you can totally come, Shashi! Hopefully we won't be teleported to a crappy city once the crockpot realizes we're broke...
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
The crock pot rules!!! And, since you're so crazy busy, I'm sure it helps out a whole lot instead of slaving away in the kitchen. It's the best time saver ever!
Annnnd even though it's almost 9:30 at night here, I'm now currently craving a big bowl of this curry with a side of crusty bread! Oh dear...now my tummy is rumbling! Sigh!
Alexis says
Oh dear....me too!! And that crusty bread? OMGGGG! I'm pretty much always hungry before bed. It's such a pain!