A cozy one-pot red lentil chili with sweet potatoes and kidney beans, simmered with Thai red curry paste and coconut milk. Creamy, a little spicy and a little sweet, with lots of cilantro and lime on top.
Prep time: PT15M
Cook time: PT25M
Total time: PT40M
Rating
5 stars (5 reviews)
Keywords
coconut chili, red lentil chili, sweet potato chili, thai chili, thai red curry chili, vegan chili, vegan red lentil recipes
Ingredients
Olive oil ((1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons, however much you feel like using))
1 large yellow onion (diced medium)
1 red bell pepper (seeded and diced medium)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes (cut into 3/4 inch chunks)
1 cup red lentils
1 teaspoon salt (plus a pinch)
4 cups vegetable broth
2 15 oz cans kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
1 13.5 oz can coconut milk
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (plus extra for garnish)
Lime wedges (for garnish, optional)
Categories
Dinner
entree
Soup
Steps
Preheat a large pot over medium heat. Saute onions and pepper in oil with a pinch of salt, for 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and saute a minute more.
Add chili powder, sweet potatoes, lentils, salt and vegetable broth. Cover and bring to a boil. Let it boil for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
When lentils are cooked and sweet potatoes are tender, add the kidney beans, curry paste, coconut milk, diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup cilantro, and heat through. Stir well to make sure the curry paste isn't clumped.
Taste for salt and seasoning, top with cilantro and lime and serve!
Reviews
Larie Marin on 2026-09-16 (5 stars): This is a real crowd pleaser. I have been making this for years and always get great reviews.
Janet on 2026-02-20 (5 stars): It's very mild. I don't like hot spicy foods and when I follow the recipe as written, I don't get any "too hot / spicy" vibes at all. The coconut milk cuts the (low level) of heat further. It's really tasty!
Melissa on 2026-02-20 (5 stars): This is an easy recipe with pantry staples and a nice twist on the standard chili. Definitely would make this again.
Janet on 2026-02-20 (5 stars): This chili gets raves every time I fix it for people. So easy and SO GOOD!
Stacy on 2025-11-29 (5 stars): Awesome flavors. This is my favorite chili recipe, and it can be made quickly.
