Chickpea Curry satisfies vegetarians and meat eaters alike! This coconut curry with fragrant Indian spices and sweet potatoes is unbelievably hearty, nourishing and delicious!
Sweet Potato and Chickpea curry gets its flavor from aromatic spices like garam masala, curry powder, cumin, garlic and creamy coconut milk.
Jalapeño and ginger give the dish just the right amount of kick.
Make this easy Chickpea Curry for dinner tonight and enjoy the leftovers for lunch tomorrow! It has even more flavor the next day.
Try some easy homemade Peach Chutney as a topping. Adds some sweetness and dampens the heat.
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Soul Warming Chickpea Curry
Even the most devoted meat eaters need a meatless meal from time to time. The key to exciting vegetarian dishes, is to allow the natural delicious flavor of the ingredients to shine.
Great seasonings and plenty of plant protein ensures a satisfying meal. Chickpeas are a favorite protein source for curries like this. They’re hearty enough to hold up to the thick sauce and absorb all those lovely spices.
Sweet potatoes and spinach fill the curry with gorgeous color and texture.
Serve this vegan chickpea curry over basmati rice for a protein packed meatless meal! It’s also naturally gluten-free.
Recipe Ingredients Notes
Olive oil or coconut oil. Used for sautéing.
Jalapeño pepper. Adds a spicy heat to the curry along with the traditional spices. Scrape out the membranes and seeds for a less spicy version.
Garam masala. This blend of bay leaves, peppercorn and cinnamon gives the curry its authentic flavor.
Curry powder. A key spice blend that gives the signature flavor.
Sea salt. Kosher salt can also be used.
Butternut squash and Sweet Potatoes. Cut into bite-size cubes. They add a wonderful sweet contrast to the spicy flavors.
Use prepared pre-peeled and cut squash cubes from the grocery store to save time!
Chickpeas. Drained and rinse canned chickpeas. Two cups of freshly cooked chickpeas can be substituted if preferred.
Tomatoes. Fresh chopped tomatoes or canned unseasoned chopped tomatoes can be used.
Vegetable broth. We recommend low sodium broth.
Coconut milk. Make sure to use the kind from a can. The carton coconut milk made for drinking is far less thick and won’t work well in this recipe.
Baby spinach. Fresh (not frozen) and roughly chopped.
Lime juice. You’ll need the juice of half a lime.
Optional toppings: Coconut cream or yogurt, chopped cilantro, serrano peppers, lime wedges for serving.
Variations
Omit the jalapeño. Removing the seeds and membranes gives the curry the flavor of the jalapeño without making it overwhelmingly spicy. To make an even milder variation, leave out the pepper entirely.
Chickpea Kale Curry. Swap out the spinach for roughly chopped kale. Keep in mind kale needs a bit more time to cook down than spinach. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Butternut Squash Curry. Use twice the sweet potatoes and omit the butternut squash.
How to Make it – Step-by-Step
STEP 1. Cook the onion and spices
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the onion to the oil and cook until it begins to soften.
Stir in the garlic, jalapeño and fresh ginger and cook for another minute (photo 1).
Add the spices (photo 2). Cook another minute stirring continuously until fragrant.
STEP 2. Add vegetables
Add sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes and chickpeas; stir (photo 3).
STEP 3. Simmer
Pour in vegetable broth and coconut milk (photo 4). Stir in sugar.
Simmer the chickpea curry covered for 15 minutes. Then, remove the lid and simmer an additional 15 minutes, stirring periodically.
STEP 5. Add spinach
Add spinach and lime juice (photo 5). Stir everything together to wilt the spinach and combine (photo 6).
STEP 6. Serve
Serve warm curry over cooked rice. Add toppings like fresh yogurt, serrano peppers and chopped cilantro if desired.
Add a squeeze of lime to chickpea coconut curry just before digging in!
Pro Tips
Time saving tip: Use pre-cut butternut squash and sweet potatoes. You can find them already peeled and cubed in the produce section of most grocery stores.
Let the curry rest for best flavor. Waiting 10 minutes or so before serving the curry helps the flavors meld even more. This makes the already delicious curry even better!
Of course, if you can’t wait feel free to enjoy it right away. It’s still fantastic.
Use a 5 quart Dutch oven. Dutch ovens evenly distribute heat Being heavier pans they help avoid burning too. You can also make this in a regular 5 quart stock pot if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry is completely free of meat, eggs and dairy. It is suitable for vegans, vegetarians and anyone else who loves delicious food!
Storing Leftovers
Coconut curry can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dish reheats well in the microwave or on the stove top.
It tastes even better the next day when all those tasty flavors have had time to mingle.
Freezing Chickpea Curry
Allow the curry to fully cool. Place in a freezer safe airtight container or freezer bag and squeeze out excess air if possible.
Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat.
More Recipes You’ll Love!
- Chickpea Salad
- Roasted Beet Hummus
- Slow Cooker Thai Red Chicken Curry
- Easy Chana Masala Recipe (spicy chickpea stew)
Recipe
Chickpea Curry
Ingredients
Curry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 jalapeno pepper membrane and seeds removed, thinly sliced
- 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger root peeled and diced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup peeled and cubed butternut squash ½-3/4 inch cubes
- 1 cup peeled and cubed sweet potatoes ½-3/4 inch cubes
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 2 large tomatoes chopped or 15-ounce can diced unseasoned tomatoes
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 13.5-oz can coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 cups baby spinach roughly chopped
- 1/2 lime juiced
Toppings (optional)
- ¼ cup regular yogurt, coconut yogurt or coconut cream
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 lime quartered
- 1 serrano thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add in the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes or until starting to soften.
- Add in the garlic, ginger and jalapeno pepper, cook another minute.
- Add in the spices and cook another minute until the spices are fragrant.
- Add the butternut squash, sweet potato, chickpeas, and tomatoes to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and coconut milk. Stir in the sugar.
- Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove the lid and allow to simmer an additional 15 minutes uncovered. Stirring periodically.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and lime juice. Taste for salt and add more if necessary.
- Serve the curry over rice. Top with coconut yogurt (or plain Greek yogurt), cilantro, lime, and serrano.
Kim says
I’m always looking for recipes that are meatless! Thank you!
Erin says
Such good flavor in this dish! I loved all the veggies packed in there too. I cut back on the jalapeno, and it was still fantastic. Thanks!
Taylor says
This recipe was SO delicious! I love how hearty and flavorful the sweet potatoes make the curry. Definitely adding this to our rotation!
Gina says
Warm, cozy and with all the delicious curry flavors you expect! Love this easy plant based meal!
Kathryn says
This curry bowl was exactly what I was looking for and craving especially since I’m trying to eat healthier. Loved the sweet potato and chickpea combination!