Recipes

$6 Anti-Inflammatory Lentil Curry

by StudioLink Food Delivery .
December 02, 2025
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Anti-Inflammatory Lentil Curry

A healing, EBT-friendly curry packed with anti-inflammatory spices and protein-rich lentils. Naturally vegan and deeply nourishing.

Total Cost of Ingredients Used: $4.25-$5.50

(Cost reflects only what’s used in the recipe, not full package prices)

Ingredients:

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  •   1 tbsp vegetable oil
  •   1 medium onion (chopped)
  •   3 cloves garlic (minced)
  •   1 tbsp tbsp fresh ginger (grated)
  •   1 tbsp curry powder
  •   2 tsp ground turmeric
  •   1 tsp ground cumin
  •   1 cup dried brown or green lentils (rinsed)
  •   3 cups vegetable broth
  •   1 can diced tomatoes
  •   2 cups fresh spinach
  •   .5 cup coconut milk ((optional, for creaminess))
  •   1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1

Sauté the aromatics: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 more minute until fragrant.

2

Bloom the spices: Add curry powder, turmeric, and cumin to the pot. Stir constantly for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant and toasted. This activates their anti-inflammatory compounds.

3

Add lentils and liquid: Stir in the dried lentils, ensuring they’re coated with the spice mixture. Add vegetable broth or water with bouillon, then add the diced tomatoes with their juice.

4

Simmer until tender: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

5

Add spinach and coconut milk: Stir in the chopped spinach and coconut milk (if using). Cook for 3-5 more minutes until spinach is wilted and curry is creamy.

6

Season and serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in lemon juice for brightness. Serve hot over rice or with flatbread, garnished with cilantro if available.

A vibrant, nourishing curry that’s as good for your body as it is for your budget.

This EBT-friendly curry harnesses the anti-inflammatory power of turmeric, ginger, and garlic, combined with protein-packed lentils. It’s a complete meal that supports wellness while costing less than $6. Perfect for meal prep and gentle on sensitive systems.

Budget Grocery List + Cost Breakdown

All items EBT-eligible. Prices based on Walmart/ALDI/Dollar Tree.

Pantry Staples

Used in recipe: 1 cup dried lentils ($0.75) + rice for serving ($0.30)

Package cost: $1.50 (1lb lentils) + $1.50 (rice) = $3.00 total

Veggies & Aromatics

Used in recipe: 1 onion ($0.35) + 3 cloves garlic ($0.10) + fresh ginger ($0.15) + canned tomatoes ($0.75) + spinach ($0.50)

Package cost: $0.70 + $0.50 (bulb) + $0.50 (root) + $1.00 + $2.00 (bag) = $4.70 total

Spices & Flavor

Used in recipe: Spices ($0.25) + bouillon ($0.15) + oil ($0.08) + lemon ($0.20) + coconut milk ($0.50)

Package cost: $3.00 (spice set) + $1.50 + $2.00 + $0.50 + $1.50 = $8.50 total

Total Used in Recipe: $4.23-$5.58

Cost per serving (4-6 servings): $0.71-$1.40

Note: This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients. Spices last for many meals!

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