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This easy vegetable curry is the best way to eat your veggies! Cauliflower, bell pepper and chickpeas swim in a flavor-packed broth.
![Vegetable Curry (1) Vegetable Curry (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.acouplecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Vegetable-Curry-001.jpg)
A vegetable curry is one of the best ways to make eating your veggies taste incredible. Alex and I adore eating curry for dinner, and guess what? It’s the best way to get loads of nutrients without even noticing. This vegetable curry is so good, you’ll be shoveling it down by the spoonful. It’s full of big flavor and all the best veggies you can eat, like cauliflower, carrots, bell peppers, and chickpeas. It features crisp tender veggies in a seriously flavorful broth. Serve with naan bread or rice and it’s one of the most satisfying plant-based dinners around.
What’s a curry, anyway?
Curry is a very loose term. Per Bon Appetit, in many countries it was a word used by colonizers to simplify what they saw as foreign cuisines. Today, curry is usually a dish with a spiced sauce and meat or vegetables, often eaten with rice or flatbread like naan. Many times the spice curry powder is included in the sauce, or sometimes curry paste. The dish is made in many countries, including India, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and England.
Ingredients in this vegetable curry
Knowing curry has a loose definition, Alex and I designed this vegetable curry to include a sauce with curry powder and feature a variety of healthy vegetables. This curry features crisp tender veggies and a flavorful broth. It’s important to note that it’s not as thick of a sauce as with a tomato or coconut milk-based curry, like our cauliflower curry or chickpea curry.
Here’s what’s in this vegetable curry:
- Vegetables: Onion, Carrots, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Bell pepper, Peas, Chickpeas
- Flavorings: Garlic, Ginger, Curry Powder, Cumin, Turmeric, Coriander
- Sauce: Vegetable Broth, Peanut Butter (to thicken)
![Vegetable Curry (2) Vegetable Curry (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.acouplecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Vegetable-Curry-005.jpg)
What to serve with curry? Rice, naan, and more.
What to serve with this vegetable curry? There are a few options, depending on how much time you have. Alex and I created a new homemade naan recipe especially to go with this curry, which we’d reserve for dinner parties or weekend dinners. But it’s fun to make an oh so tasty! Here are our recommendations for serving this veggie curry:
- Naan bread: Store-bought naan bread is a great quick side dish for this vegetable curry. But if you have time, try homemade! Use our Garlic Naan or Vegan Naan recipes.
- Rice: Start a pot of rice before you even begin prep, and let it cook while you make the curry. Brown generally takes about 30 minutes with our quick method (below), and white takes about 15 minutes. Here are several methods for doing it:
- Quinoa: We’ve eaten it with quinoa and while not authentic, it tastes good and is very filling! Try our Basic Quinoa or Instant Pot Quinoa.
![Vegetable Curry (3) Vegetable Curry (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.acouplecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Garlic-Naan-010.jpg)
Is this curry spicy?
Well, yes and no! The heat level in this vegetable curry is directly related to the curry powder that you use. Here’s the thing: some curry powders are spicy, some are mild. It really depends on the brand! And there’s no way to know based on the label. So, you’ll have to do some trial and error to find the curry powder brand you like with a heat level that works for you and your fellow eaters.
Make ahead and storage info
Can you make this vegetable curry ahead? Yes! To meal prep, you can easily make it 1 day in advance and refrigerate until serving. Then just reheat it gently in a skillet, being sure not to overheat it so that the sauce doesn’t evaporate. Leftovers stay good for about 3 days in the refrigerator.
You also can make rice in advance if you’re serving with rice! To reheat the rice, place it in a pan on the stovetop and add a splash of water. Heat gently for a few minutes until the water evaporates and the rice is warmed through.
![Vegetable Curry (4) Vegetable Curry (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.acouplecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Vegetable-Curry-003.jpg)
More vegetable curry recipes
We have a few other flavorful curry recipes that have become fan favorites! So if you’re looking for another type of curry, here are a few you might like (all of them are plant-based / vegan recipes):
- Easy Chickpea Curry or Quick Vegan Curry The ultimate healthy and easy weeknight dinner! Vegan, full of flavor, and done in 20 minutes.
- Quick Coconut Lentil Curry Here’s a lentil based curry that’s flavored with coconut and curry paste. A fast and easy dinner idea perfect for weeknights!
- Coconut Cauliflower Curry Everybody loves this one! It’s an easy dinner recipe is warm-spiced, nutrient packed, and ready in just over 30 minutes.
Is this an authentic Indian curry?
Is this vegetable curry authentic? As we mentioned above, curry is a loose definition and there are many varieties. While this isn’t a 100% authentic Indian curry, it uses the flavors of Indian cuisine to make a fast weeknight dinner. For an authentic Indian dinner recipe from an Indian chef, head to ourMasoor Dal (Indian Red Lentils). Another great resource for authentic Indian recipes is chef and authorMadhur Jaffrey.
This vegetable curry recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Easy Vegetable Curry
- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 1x
Description
This easy vegetable curry is the best way to eat your veggies! Cauliflower, bell pepper and chickpeas swim in a flavor-packed broth.
Note:This curry features crisp tender veggies and a sauce that is broth-like. It’s not as thick of a sauce as with a tomato or coconut milk-based curry like our cauliflower curry or chickpea curry.
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 large carrot
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 small cauliflower
- 2 cups chopped broccoli or broccolini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon coriander (optional)
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 1 ½ cupscooked)
- Torn cilantro or roasted salted cashews, for garnish
- Serve with: white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or naan bread (Garlic Naan or Vegan Naan)
Instructions
- Mince the garlic and grate the ginger; place them in a small bowl and set them aside.
- Dice the onion into bite-sized pieces. Peel the carrot and thinly slice it. Cut the pepper into large squares. Chop the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Cut the broccoli into florets.
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat it to medium high. Add the vegetables to the skillet with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fork tender and lightly browned. Once tender, add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the vegetable broth, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, coriander (optional), ½ teaspoon kosher salt, peanut butter, peas and chickpeas. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until the sauce is thickened just slightly. (The sauce with be brothy, not thick.) Taste and add additional salt as necessary (we added several more pinches). Spoon the veggies over rice or quinoa, along with a few spoonfuls of broth. Serve with naan bread on the side, if desired.
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Vegetable Curry
More healthy dinner ideas
This vegetable curry is a healthy plant-based dinner recipe that features tons of nutrient-rich vegetables. Here are a few more healthy dinner ideas that are also vegan and plant-based:
- Vegan Enchiladas Over the top delicious! Stuffed with black beans and guacamole, they’re doused in a zesty homemade red enchilada sauce.
- Best Chickpea Burgers A hugely satisfying plant-based dinner! Here they’re painted with BBQ and served topped with vegan bacon and spicy mayo.
- Vegan Shepherd’s Pie The hearty veggie and lentil filling contrasts fluffy potatoes in this stunning plant based dinner recipe.
- Chili Baked Potatoes Top these baked potatoes with your favorite chili, like our vegan chili or healthy chili.
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About the authors
Sonja & Alex
Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you’ll want to make again and again.
As a seasoned culinary enthusiast with a deep understanding of diverse cuisines, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the vegetable curry recipe presented above. My expertise in the culinary arts extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I have hands-on experience creating and refining various curry dishes. Allow me to provide insights into the concepts and ingredients used in this particular vegetable curry recipe.
1. Diverse Origins of Curry: The introduction correctly highlights that "curry" is a loosely defined term with roots in various countries, including India, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and England. This versatility is attributed to historical influences and the colonial era when the term was used to simplify foreign cuisines. Today, curry generally refers to a dish with a spiced sauce containing meat or vegetables, often served with rice or flatbread.
2. Components of Vegetable Curry: a. Vegetables: The recipe features a medley of nutrient-rich vegetables, including onion, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, bell pepper, peas, and chickpeas. b. Flavorings: Garlic, ginger, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, and coriander contribute to the rich and aromatic flavor profile. c. Sauce: The sauce is created using vegetable broth and thickened with peanut butter, offering a unique twist compared to tomato or coconut milk-based curries.
3. Accompaniments: The article suggests serving the vegetable curry with various options, including naan bread, rice, or quinoa. The versatility of these accompaniments allows for a personalized dining experience.
4. Spice Levels in Curry: The author rightly points out that the spiciness of the curry depends on the curry powder used. Different brands may offer varying heat levels, making it essential to experiment and find a curry powder that suits individual preferences.
5. Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: The recipe is designed for convenience, allowing for preparation one day in advance and gentle reheating before serving. Additionally, the article provides insights into reheating rice and suggests that leftovers can be stored for about three days.
6. Authenticity of the Curry: While the vegetable curry presented is not claimed to be a 100% authentic Indian curry, it draws inspiration from Indian flavors and serves as a fast weeknight dinner option. The article encourages those seeking authentic Indian recipes to explore additional resources and recipes from renowned chefs.
7. Nutritional Information: Though not explicitly mentioned, the vegetable curry is inherently a plant-based, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free dish, aligning with diverse dietary preferences.
In conclusion, my comprehensive knowledge of culinary traditions and practical experience in crafting flavorful dishes affirm the reliability and depth of my insights into this vegetable curry recipe. Whether you're a novice or an experienced home cook, this recipe promises a delightful and nutritious dining experience.