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Home Diet Dairy-Free
5
/5
45 minutes

Vegan Coconut Curry with Chickpeas and Cauliflower

Dairy Free Dairy-Free Gluten Free Gluten Free Nut Free Nut Free Vegan Vegan Vegetarian Vegetarian Freezer Friendly Freezer Meal Prep Meal Prep
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By: Denise Bustard24 Comments
Posted: 1/9/16 Updated: 8/28/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

An easy vegan coconut curry recipe that is packed with flavor and ready in 45 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!

This chickpea & cauliflower vegan curry is bright and flavorful, and is easy enough for a week-night dinner!

I realized after posting my last recipe that I forgot to do my favorite blogging tradition: sharing my 2016 Kitchen Resolutions! So I'm going to share them with you today!

  • Get Kai to help! OK, he's only two, but we have started a fun tradition of baking something super simple on the week-ends. We just baked up these muffins. He's great at pouring the measured ingredients into the bowl, and he's getting there with his stirring. And most importantly, it's FUN for both of us!
  • More slow cooker recipes. Honestly I was trying to get some slow cooker recipes up on the blog in the fall, but they just didn't quite get photographed. Check back for a brand new slow cooker recipe on Monday!!
  • Videos! I am excited to start shooting some super simple videos to share with you all! I will keep you posted on this one 😉
  • Last, but not least: Have more fun!  More kitchen singing, more kitchen dancing, more kitchen fun and less seriousness. This is very important for me. 2015 was a very serious year and 2016 is going to be all about FUN!

But onto the recipe above! It is a bit of a cold, dark and sort of depressing week, what with everyone heading back to work after the holidays and all. And my cure for the January blues is bright, colorful and exotic food! Vegan coconut curry!

This chickpea & cauliflower vegan curry is bright and flavorful, and is easy enough for a week-night dinner!

This chickpea & cauliflower vegan curry is bright and flavorful, and is easy enough for a week-night dinner!

Well here I am...Saturday, posting the recipe that I had intended for 30 minute Thursday.

Here's the truth:  we have been eating vegan coconut curry a lot here this week. 4 batches to be exact.

You guys KNOW that I will never ever share a recipe with you that I don't love and maybe wouldn't make again, and this one took me a few attempts of playing around with the spices and ratios. But I finally have a version that I am happy with and it's so good that I would happily make a 5th batch of it right now (although Ben would probably kill me)!

Also the truth: it didn't quite make the 30 minute mark. But I'm 99.99999% sure that it's because I put way too many veggies in there (couldn't help myself). That meant it took extra time to cook those veggies, and I'm betting that if you took a few out you could whip this one up in 30 minutes or less (instructions are in the recipe note).

This chickpea & cauliflower vegan curry is bright and flavorful, and is easy enough for a week-night dinner!

OK, well here's the basics of this recipe: the sauce base is grated onions (I prefer the texture to chopped), sauteed with some brown sugar in olive oil (authentic curry? NOPE. This a 'Denise' curry!). Then you add some spices, garlic and ginger, and toast everything for another minute or two.

Add the coconut milk, then add the veggies you'd like! For a veggie-packed version, I added 4 cups of cauliflower and 2 bell peppers. For a soupier version, leave out a few cups of cauliflower. It will still be great!

At the very end of cooking, I added the chickpeas, a squeeze of lime, and more salt to taste. It is a wonderful, balanced curry. Sweet/salty/a bit sour, it's all there. This vegan coconut curry is NOT spicy. If you'd like spice, you could add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne to the spice mix and see how it tastes. Add more for a spicier curry.

And there you have it! Complex flavors but not complex to make.

Have a wonderful week-end! And tell me your kitchen resolutions in the comments below 😉

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

chickpea and cauliflower curry in bowl with wood spoon and rice

Vegan Coconut Curry with Chickpeas and Cauliflower

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Print Rate
An easy vegan coconut curry recipe that is packed with flavor and ready in 45 minutes.  Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
4 -6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion grated (on a box grater)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger minced
  • 1 can coconut milk 13.5 oz/400mL
  • 4 cups cauliflower florets
  • 2 bell peppers sliced
  • 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • Juice from ½ a lime
  • Salt to taste

Instructions 

  • In a medium (3qt) pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and brown sugar, and cook, stirring frequently for around 5 minutes, until it is lightly browned.
  • While cooking the onion, mix together the spices in a small bowl. After the onion is cooked, add the spices, garlic and ginger, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until everything is fragrant but not burned. It may form a 'paste', and that's OK.
  • Add the coconut milk, scraping up anything that may have stuck to the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the vegetables to the pan, stirring to coat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 more minutes (depending on how many veggies you add, cook time may vary).
  • Add the chickpeas, a squeeze of lime, and salt to taste. I needed to add another ½ teaspoon of salt.
  • Serve over rice or with naan bread.

Tips:

For a 'soupier' curry, leave out 2 cups of cauliflower. Cook time may be less, and this should serve 4 people.
This curry is not spicy. To add spice, start with ¼ teaspoon cayenne to the spice mix and add more to taste!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/6 batch, Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Sodium: 190mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 6g
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did You Make This?Don't forget to leave a review below, and tag us on Instagram using @SweetPeasAndSaffron or #sweetpeasandsaffron
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Products used in this recipe:

blue cooking potcurry powderfive wood spoons

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  • Easy Coconut Curry Stir Fry with Glazed Tofu from Healthy Nibbles & Bites
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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

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Recipe Rating




  1. Caitlin says

    Posted on 7/11/17 at Posted on 7/11/17

    Whoa--this was so yummy! I used my blender to grind up the onion and it has such a rich flavor. I'm going to do that with all of my curries now. With the lid on the pot, my cauliflower and eggplant curry cooked in just 15 min. So easy. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/19/17 at Posted on 7/19/17

      So glad you enjoyed it Caitlin!

      Reply
  2. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

    Posted on 1/13/16 at Posted on 1/13/16

    I'm a big fan of "not spicy" curries, Denise, so I'm definitely going to try this. Love how many veggies you have packed in there - even if it pushes it over the 30 minute mark. Love that it has ginger - a great spice for fighting inflammation - I've been trying to add more ginger to my diet so this recipe is perfect.

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/13/16 at Posted on 1/13/16

      I like spice once in awhile but for the most part I don't need it 🙂 Thanks so much, Geraldine!

      Reply
  3. marcie says

    Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

    I was in charge of making a cauliflower curry dish at school once and I've only made it once at home -- it was so good! This looks amazing, Denise, and I love all the veggie goodness! Can't wait to see your first video -- I'm coming out with one very soon and I'm so nervous it's gonna look hoakie. haha Gotta start somewhere, right? 😉

    Reply
  4. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

    Yes to fun in the kitchen! I was doing good with that the first week in January, and now it's back to the grind and the stress -- I need to remember to relax every now and then! I bet Kai loves helping you too! This curry is so bright and flavorful -- perfect for these dreary days 🙂

    Reply
  5. Denise says

    Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

    Thanks so much, Lisa! I hope you like it!

    Reply
  6. Denise says

    Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

    Thanks so much, Jessica! I am such a sucker for a good curry 😉

    Reply
  7. Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says

    Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

    This curry looks packed with flavor, and I love that it's packed with nutritious veggies, too! I'd gladly spend an extra 15 minutes to get more veggies into my dinner. 🙂

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

      Ha ha I TRIED to make it a 30 minute meal but I just couldn't help loading it up. Oh well. Thanks, Kristine!

      Reply
  8. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

    I need to learn to have more fun in the kitchen too! Sometimes you just want to cook for fun and not for blog stuff right?? 😉 And seriously. My Monday is CALLING for this gorgeous curry! Love all the variety of veggies!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

      So true. I baked some muffins that were just for fun this week-end and it was a blast! Thanks, Sarah!

      Reply
  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

    Love your kitchen resolutions, Denise! I definitely need to make more slow cooker recipes too. And signing in the kitchen...love doing that when no one can hear me! 🙂 This curry sounds so flavorful! I love the chickpea and cauliflower combo!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

      Ha ha, yes I hope my neighbours can't hear me! Thanks, Gayle!

      Reply
  10. Kelly says

    Posted on 1/10/16 at Posted on 1/10/16

    Love your kitchen resolutions - especially the have more fun part 🙂 Curry is one our favorite meals whenever it's cold and dark and I am loving all the veggies in this one! It looks amazing!!!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

      I need to make that a real priority this year! Thanks so much Kelly!

      Reply
  11. Rachel @ Bakerita says

    Posted on 1/10/16 at Posted on 1/10/16

    This sounds and looks absolutely amazing! Such a perfect healthier dinner, and I'm seriously obsessed with your beautiful blue pot! I want it 🙂 I also love your Kitchen Resolutions - YES to more kitchen singing and dancing!!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

      My little old 'model pot'? It's a cuisinart one and I got it on sale...so happy because I use it all the time! Thanks, Rachel!

      Reply
  12. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    Posted on 1/10/16 at Posted on 1/10/16

    Aww...your kitchen resolutions are awesome. I didn't make ANY resolutions this year, but now I think I need to make a few kitchen ones. Such a great idea! This curry looks amazing, Denise! I know what I want for dinner tonight!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

      Normally my resolutions are 'learn how to make pasta' or something like that, but this year I made them a little different 🙂 Thanks, Liz!

      Reply
  13. Zainab says

    Posted on 1/9/16 at Posted on 1/9/16

    Can I steal your resolutions? I need more slow cooker in my life as I start thesis writing oieee! The color of this curry is so beautiful and just love how healthy it is.

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/11/16 at Posted on 1/11/16

      Steal away 😉 I'm so excited for you that you're starting to write your thesis! You can do it! Thanks, Zainab!

      Reply
  14. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

    Posted on 1/9/16 at Posted on 1/9/16

    This curry looks amazing! So healthy and vibrant- I love spicy and bright meals like these during the blah winter times 🙂

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/9/16 at Posted on 1/9/16

      Thanks so much, Medha! January is kind of depressing, isn't it? 🙁

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

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