22 healthy curry recipes (2024)

Looking for healthy curry recipes? Check out our ideas below, or try our vegetable curry ideas.

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Curries can provide many health benefits, and they don't have to be full of saturated fats. The spices used in curries, such as turmeric, ginger and chilli, are known for their potent anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being of benefit to heart health and possible anticancer benefits. With some easy swaps, you can also make curries lighter but not scrimp on taste, and is a great way to add to your five-a-day!

For more healthy meal inspiration, take a look at our quick and healthy recipes, healthy takeaways, healthy pasta recipes and healthy Italian recipes. If you want to make your favourite meals healthier, take a look at our 15 healthy swaps. For summer inspiration, check out our healthy summer recipes.

Best healthy curry recipes

Easy vegan katsu curry

This plant-based version of katsu curry features crispy grilled Tesco Plant Chef Vegetable Fingers in a fragrant veggie sauce. Enjoy served with rice and pickled vegetables.

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Healthy chicken korma

Fragrant, creamy and gently spiced, korma is super-comforting with its rich, buttery sauce. This version is lighter than the traditional recipe, yet it’s every bit as warming.

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Healthy pork vindaloo

Try our simple pork vindaloo with peas and spinach. It's simple to make and packed with veg and protein.

Chicken madras

Our recipe for chicken madras is a really easy, flavoursome way to feed the family. Serve with rice or naan for scooping up the sauce.

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Paneer and chickpea curry

This healthy paneer and chickpea curry cuts corners by using a tikka paste to coat the paneer – adding lots of flavour while keeping preparation to a minimum.

Healthy chicken tikka masala

Chicken tikka masala is known for being sweet and creamy. Here, in The Curry Guy's lighter version, the buttery flavour is achieved by using ground almonds, and just enough sugar makes the masala mildly sweet. Yogurt makes for an incredibly creamy curry, too.

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Veggie butter curry

We’ve ditched the meat in favour of tender cauli, filling chickpeas and earthy spinach to create a meat-free curry that’s high in nutrients.

Spinach, chickpea and potato curry

Try this lightly-spiced vegan curry with chickpeas and spinach for a wholesome midweek meal for four.

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Chicken saag

Our chicken saag recipe proves that you can eat healthily without having to skip your favourite foods - plus its ready in less than an hour. Find more healthy chicken recipes here.

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Vegetable satay curry

This creamy curry is packed with plenty of nutritious veggies, warming ginger and chilli for a healthy meat-free meal.

Healthy slow cooker chicken curry

This healthier take on chicken curry is gluten-free and promises plenty of kick thanks to a mix of aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander and mild chilli.

Sweet potato and lentil curry

This vibrant, vegan curry is made with sweet potatoes, red split lentils, coconut milk and plenty of warming spices. A light, yet comforting midweek meal.

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Healthy chicken curry

Want to enjoy a healthier version of your favourite? This chicken curry recipe is jam-packed with veg and lighter than typical curry sauces. Freeze in portions for quick, healthy midweek meals.

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Coconut and peanut aubergine curry

This creamy coconut and peanut aubergine curry is vegetarian and ready in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect comforting meal to make midweek.

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Lighter chicken curry

Check out our easy chicken curry recipe with light coconut milk, punchy madras paste and crunchy sugar snap peas. This flavoursome curry is gluten-free too.

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Red lentil curry

Try our vegetarian spiced crispy egg and lentil curry. This easy curry recipe is protein-packed and gluten-free, perfect winter comfort food. Check out our other vegetarian curry recipes.

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Butternut squash and chickpea curry

The best vegetarian curry in a hurry. Full of good-for-you butternut squash, chickpeas, spinach and spices, this will tempt any veg-phobic family members to dig in. Serve with rice on the side.

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Kofta curry

Spice up your midweek meal with our homemade lamb koftas nestled in a fragrant curry. Served with rice for a hearty meal for four.

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Vegan aubergine curry

Cook aubergine pieces with fragrant spices and red lentils for a hearty yet healthy vegan curry.

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Turkey keema curry

Packed with fresh and zingy flavours and plenty of punchy spices, this Indian turkey mince curry makes an easy midweek meal.

22 healthy curry recipes (20)

Roast cauliflower korma curry

Check out our veggie korma recipe with roast cauliflower. This curry recipe is ready in just 30 minutes, ideal for an easy midweek dinner.

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22 healthy curry recipes (21)

Japanese chicken and broccoli curry

Add white miso and soy sauce to your curry sauce for an umami-rich midweek meal packed with chicken and veggies.

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22 healthy curry recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest curry to order? ›

Try to avoid: any creamy curries such as korma, passanda or masala with pilau rice, naan, bhajis, pakoras and poppadoms. Healthier options: tandoori or madras with chicken, prawns or vegetables, plain rice and chapatti.

What type of curry is healthy? ›

Madras – if you can take the heat this spicy tomato based curry is a great option. Bhuna – on the dry side it will definitely be healthier that the creamy sauces. Rogan Josh – another tomato based curry, much milder than a madras if you don't like it too hot.

Why is curry considered unhealthy? ›

A single portion of takeaway curry can contain over 1,000 calories and a huge amount of saturated fat, salt and sugar. You'd need to cycle for about three hours to burn it off. The best way to enjoy your favourite dishes is to ditch the takeaway and make your own.

Is it healthy to eat curry every day? ›

While it can offer diverse flavors and some health benefits, consuming it excessively could lead to issues like excessive spice intake or potential digestive discomfort. Variety in your diet is key for balanced nutrition, so enjoying curry occasionally alongside other foods is a healthier approach.

What is the most unhealthy curry? ›

1. Chicken tikka masala. It's a staple in any Indian takeaway order in Britain, but chicken tikka masala is actually the most unhealthy curry out there, according to Daisy. It typically uses double cream or full-fat yoghurt to thicken the sauce, meaning it contains as much fat as two McDonald's cheeseburgers.

What is the best curry to have on a diet? ›

Healthy curry recipes
  • Chicken jalfrezi. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  • Butter bean curry. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Healthy fish korma. A star rating of 4.2 out of 5. ...
  • Chicken korma. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Jerk sweet potato & black bean curry. ...
  • Chinese chicken curry. ...
  • Thai squash & pineapple curry. ...
  • Chicken madras.

Is curry ok for weight loss? ›

“If you crave fatty foods, curry powder may help quash your craving. Curry contains fenugreek, a seed that helps suppress fat cravings. It may also help control blood sugar too,” says Karen Ansel, M.S., RDN.

What color curry is healthiest? ›

Green curry is a healthier version of Thailand's yellow curry. The green sauce is lower in calories and a great option for those looking to make diet-friendly substitutions to their favorite dishes. For additional benefits, order extra vegetables and a lean protein like chicken to complete the meal.

What are the disadvantages of eating curry? ›

Side Effects of Curry Leaves
  • Tightness in chest.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Indigestion.
  • Skin rash.
  • Dizziness.
  • Diarrhoea.
  • Sneezing.
Feb 23, 2024

Is curry an anti-inflammatory? ›

1. Potent anti-inflammatory properties. Being that curry powder is packed with spices like turmeric, coriander, and chili pepper, it's no wonder that this seasoning has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory benefits ( 1 ).

Is curry more fattening than pizza? ›

A single meal of Indian curry has been found to have more fat than what is recommended for the entire day. In a comparison of Indian, Chinese and pizza takeaways, researchers found that an average Indian takeaway contained 23.2gm of saturated fat, 3.2gm more what than a woman should eat in a day.

What is the main spice in curry? ›

What's In Curry Powder? Curry powders usually consist of turmeric, cumin, ginger, and black pepper. Some blends also incorporate garlic and cinnamon. What all curry powders share is a sweet warmth and pleasant pungency that adds a toasty depth to everything it touches.

Which curry has the lowest calories? ›

Any Indian curries that are tomato-based, like tandoori, madras, jalfrezi, rogan and bhuna, are the lowest in calories. They average around 200-300 calories. If you want an even healthier option, consider a sauce-free dish like fish tikka (which is only 180 calories).

What is the healthiest thing to order at an Indian restaurant? ›

Best 5 Lowest Calorie Indian Food You'll Love
  • Tandoori Chicken. A classic Indian dish, tandoori chicken is both low in calories and bursting with flavour. ...
  • Vegetable Biriyani. Vegetable biriyani is a delicious and healthy Indian dish with flavour and low calories. ...
  • Chana masala. ...
  • Raita. ...
  • Aloo gobi.

Which curry has the least carbs? ›

One Indian curry with low carbohydrate content is chicken tikka masala, which is made with yogurt and tomato-based sauce and typically served with rice. Another option is a vegetable-based curry such as saag paneer or chana masala which are made with spinach and chickpeas respectively.

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