Costco Lentils Madras Recipe – Hungarian Chef

by Lori Walker, RD & Recipe Developer published on September 26, 2023, last modified on March 20, 2024

Are you looking for a vegan-friendly lentil madras recipe that’s simple to make and will taste just as delicious as your favourite take-out? Look no further than this Costco Lentils Madras from our friends at Costco!

This easy dish requires only a few ingredients, many of which can be found in your local grocery store. This vegan-friendly dish is perfect for any time of the year and comes together in less than an hour!

Plus, it can be easily adapted to suit various diets and dietary restrictions. You won’t believe how delicious this lentil madras is from the comfort of your own home! Just follow our step-by-step instructions and you’ll be enjoying this hearty, delicious dish in no time.

costco lentils madras recipe

Want more costco recipes? Check these:

What is Costco Lentils Madras? 

Costco Lentils Madras is a vegan-friendly dish made with brown lentils, red kidney beans, butter or ghee, onions, garlic and other spices. This delicious recipe requires minimal ingredients and comes together in less than an hour.

It’s the perfect weeknight meal that can be enjoyed any time of the year! This dish can be easily adapted to different diets and dietary restrictions.

Plus, you don’t need to purchase any fancy ingredients – just your regular Costco staples like lentils, beans and spices! With this in hand, you can make restaurant-worthy Lentils Madras right from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love this Costco Lentils Madras?

Costco Lentils Madras is a delicious, vegan-friendly dish that makes for an easy weeknight meal. Not to mention, it’s packed with flavour and nutrition! Brown lentils are rich in minerals such as iron and magnesium and provide a great source of protein.

Red kidney beans are also high in fibre, which helps keep you feeling fuller for longer. On top of this, the aroma alone from cooking this dish will have your mouth watering.

With its rich and creamy texture, you won’t believe that such a flavourful dish was created with just a few ingredients! Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or want to impress dinner guests, Costco Lentils Madras is sure to be a hit with everyone.

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Ingredients 

  • Brown lentils: This lentil variety is mild and nutty in flavour which makes it great for this recipe.
  • Red kidney beans: Red kidney beans have a slightly sweet, earthy flavour, and their texture when cooked is firm but not crunchy.
  • Butter or ghee: Butter or ghee adds a rich creaminess to the dish. Ghee is clarified butter which is a great alternative if you’d like to make a vegan version.
  • Onion: Onions add an amazing depth of flavour and sweetness to the dish.
  • Cumin: This spice adds an earthy, nutty flavour that pairs perfectly with the other spices in this dish.
  • Ginger: Ginger adds a touch of heat and sweetness to the dish.
  • Garlic: Garlic adds a sharp, pungent flavour to the dish that balances out the sweetness of other ingredients.
  • Jalapeno: A jalapeno adds a bit of heat to the dish without being too overwhelming.
  • Cayenne powder: Cayenne powder is a great way to add some extra spice.
  • Tomato paste: Tomato paste adds a savoury depth of flavour to the dish as well as some colour.
  • Heavy whipping cream: This adds a luxurious, creamy texture to the dish.
  • Oil: Oil is used for cooking and helps to add richness to the dish.
  • Cilantro: Cilantro adds a herbal freshness that pairs perfectly with all the spices.
costco lentils madras

Step by Step Directions 

Step 1

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the onions and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the garlic, ginger, jalapeno and cumin and cook for 1 minute more.

Step 4

Add in the lentils and red kidney beans with their liquid. Stir in the tomato paste and add the water.

Step 5

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until lentils are soft.

Step 6

Stir in the butter, cream, salt and cayenne powder. Simmer for 5 more minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the cilantro and serve hot.

Tips and Tricks

  • If you’d like to make this Lentils Madras dish vegan, opt for butter or ghee instead of heavy whipping cream.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of spices according to your taste and preference.
  • To save time, cook the lentils ahead of time or use canned – To add a bit of heat to the dish, you can increase the amount of jalapenos or cayenne powder.
  • Serve with a side of basmati rice or your favourite flatbread for a complete meal!
costco lentils madras

Nutrition Information 

How to store Costco Lentils Madras?

Costco Lentils Madras can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Simply transfer the leftovers into an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator.

You can also freeze this dish for up to 6 months. To do so, allow the lentils madras to cool completely before transferring them into a freezer-safe container or zip lock bag.

Once ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stove or in the microwave.

What other substitute can I use in Costco Lentils Madras? 

  • If you don’t have lentils on hand, you can use canned chickpeas or black beans instead.
  • For a lighter version of the dish, try substituting the heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a vegan-friendly option.
  • You could also experiment with different spices such as cumin, chilli powder, turmeric and garam masala to add more flavour.
  • To add more texture and crunch to the dish, stir in some diced bell peppers or roasted cashews when serving.
costco lentils madras

costco lentils madras recipe

Are you looking for a vegan-friendly lentil madras recipe that’s simple to make and will taste just as delicious as your favourite take-out? Look no further than this Costco Lentils Madras from our friends at Costco!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: costco lentils madras recipe
Servings: 14
Calories: 364kcal

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • stirrer

Ingredients

  • 1 1000 mL can of brown lentils
  • 1/2 cup butter or ghee
  • 2 large onion finely chopped
  • 1 1000 mL can of red kidney beans
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tsp kosher salt divided use
  • 4 tsp cumin
  • 2 tbsp finely grated ginger
  • 6 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 minced jalapeno
  • 2 tsp cayenne powder
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tbsp oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.
  • Once heated, add the chopped onions and sauté until they are softened and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
  • Add garlic, ginger, jalapeno and cumin to the pan. Cook for an additional 1 minute to allow the spices to blend together.
  • Pour in the lentils and red kidney beans with their liquid, stirring in the tomato paste before adding 1 cup of water.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until lentils are soft.
  • Stir in butter or ghee, cream, salt and cayenne powder. Allow the dish to simmer for another 5 minutes.
  • Finally, stir in the freshly chopped cilantro and serve Lentils Madras hot!

Notes

  • If you’d like to make this Lentils Madras dish vegan, opt for butter or ghee instead of heavy whipping cream.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of spices according to your taste and preference.
  • To save time, cook the lentils ahead of time or use canned – To add a bit of heat to the dish, you can increase the amount of jalapenos or cayenne powder.
  • Serve with a side of basmati rice or your favourite flatbread for a complete meal!

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

FAQs

Is Costco Lentils Madras gluten-free?

Yes, the ingredients used in this dish are naturally gluten-free.

Can I make Costco Lentils Madras in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to a slow cooker. Simply add all the ingredients except for the cream and butter into the slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours. When done cooking, stir in the cream and butter and serve.

Is this healthy?

Yes, this dish is very nutritious and packed with protein and fibre. It’s a great source of minerals such as iron and magnesium. Plus, it’s vegan-friendly! You can make it even healthier by substituting the heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a vegan-friendly option.

Conclusion

Costco Lentils Madras is an easy and delicious one-pot dish that you can whip up in no time! This vegan-friendly, flavourful meal is packed with nutrition and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Plus, it’s very versatile – feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste preference or add different vegetables like bell peppers or cashews to make it even more flavourful. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, this Lentils Madras dish is sure to be a hit!

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Author Profile

Lori Walker is a passionate dietitian and food lover. She offers simple and nutritious recipes that don't take long to cook. In addition to sharing delicious dishes, she also shares useful advice on saving time and money in the kitchen. She believes that with a bit of creativity, anyone can make healthy meals that won't break the bank. Read more

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