This creamy one-pot Vegetable Curry is my go to recipe for an easy, flavorful and healthy meal. Made with chickpeas, sweet potatoes, veggies you have on hand, spices, and cashew cream, it's just as good as takeout and comes together quickly! Serve with basmati rice and fresh herbs. Vegan and gluten-free.
Believe me when I say this curry and I are in a serious relationship. Kind of like my beloved Curried Chickpea Salad, Butternut Squash Curry, Shrimp Curry, and Tofu Curry.
Committed, obsessed, enamored with any and all of it. I'm in deep! Like cookies and milk, pizza and board games, root beer floats and beachy bike rides.
I set out to to add a curry to my vegan recipes without Thai curry paste because ya know, the wallet. I'm confident that you have curry powder and rice and some kind of fresh or frozen veggie lingering in that kitchen of yours. Right? Of course you do! Pantry staples.
She's approachable, uncomplicated, and seriously impressive. This tastes like a restaurant meal, I swear. Let's get into it!
Ingredients
- Basmati rice: My favorite fluffy rice! You can also use brown rice, just follow the package instructions since it'll take longer. Instant rice or frozen work great too.
- Cashews: To add velvety creaminess. Raw cashews are best given their mild flavor.
- Onion: A small onion works here to get our curry going.
- Ginger and garlic: Delish aromatics to build flavor.
- Pepper: I love the flavor and texture or pepper here and the red is pretty, but any color works.
- Asparagus: When it's in season, this is a great way to use asparagus! You can sub broccoli, zucchini, green beans, or snow peas.
- Sweet potatoes: I love the body, sweetness, and nutrients sweet potatoes add. You could easily sub carrots.
- Curry powder: Any curry powder works, just make sure it's mild.
- Peas: I mostly love peas for the amazing pop of green they add.
- Chickpeas: I like adding chickpeas for a bit of protein. You could also do chicken (like Jeff does), shrimp, or tofu.
- Tamari: A splash of umami to pull everything together. Soy sauce works if you're not gluten free.
- Fresh herbs: A bit of cilantro or basil adds freshness and flavor to really take this vegetable curry recipe over the top!
How to make
Making homemade curry is not hard!
- Soak cashews for the creamy base. Then rinse the rice well and get it boiling.
- Chop all the veggies. Cook the onion in oil then add aromatics--ginger and garlic! Add curry powder, veggies, peas and chickpeas and get the flavors building.
- Blend the cashews with milk for the base. Stir it into the veggies with the rest of the milk, soy sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Garnish with herbies and serve over rice.
Which curry powder to use
I've used a lot of different curry powder blends and they always taste great. Just make sure it's a mild curry powder! You can always add spice later.
Tips for perfect basmati rice
Fluffy rice is a must BFF for this curry, don't you think?!
- Rinse it several times in a fine mesh sieve until the water is clear to remove the starch. You can also put it in a medium bowl of water and drain it several times.
- Cook it for about 20 min with a good pinch of salt. Sometimes I add a tablespoon of butter or coconut oil. Turmeric is fun too for yellow rice!
- Let it steam a bit covered once it's done and fluff with a fork. Voila!
How to store
Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Can you freeze curry?
Yes! This curry can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge then reheat over the stove.
More cozy healthy meals
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Mango Buddha Bowls
- Vegetable Teriyaki Stir Fry
- The Best Vegan Enchiladas
- Creamy Vegetable Pasta Soup
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers
Plant-powered protein, lots of veggies, healthy fats, warming spices, and cozy rice...this meal in a bowl is serious magic for the heart and soul. Go get down with this curry and ya bad self!!
PrintEasy Creamy Vegetable Curry
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This creamy and comforting Vegetable Curry is my go-to recipe for an easy, flavorful and healthy meal. Made with chickpeas, sweet potatoes, veggies, spices, and cashew cream, it's just as good as takeout and comes together quickly! Serve with basmati rice and fresh herbs. Vegan and gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups basmati rice, rinsed
- 1 ½ tsp sea salt, divided
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 2 cups unsweetened almond or cashew milk
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced (or 1 tsp dried)
- 2 cups chopped zucchini, green beans, or broccoli
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium sweet potato, diced (about 2 cups, can sub carrot)
- 3 tbsp mild curry powder
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1-15oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp tamari (sub soy sauce if not gluten free)
- 1 tsp coconut sugar
- Fresh chopped basil or cilantro, optional
Instructions
- Place cashews in a small bowl. Cover with hot water and set aside.
- Rinse rice well to remove starch (the water should run clear). In a medium pot, combine rice, 2 ¼ cups water, and ½ tsp salt and bring to a boil. Stir, cover and reduce heat to low, simmering for about 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for another minute. Stir in zucchini, bell pepper, potatoes, carrots, curry powder, and remaining 1 tsp salt. Sauté for another 5 minutes.
- Drain and rinse cashews. Place in a high-speed blender (I used a Nutribullet) with 1 cup almond milk and blend until completely smooth. Stir into vegetable mixture. Add remaining 1 cup milk, tamari, sugar, peas, and chickpeas. Reduce heat to low and simmer (covered) for about 15 minutes, stirring as needed, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and red pepper flakes if you like! Serve over rice.
Notes
*Use whatever is in easy! You can sub 3 cups broccoli, snow peas, zucchini, green beans, etc.
The gorgeous pan in these photos is the Always Pan!
Dylan says
We made this yesterday and it was so flavorful 🙂 Love that it's packed with veggies and comes together in no time!
Alexis Joseph says
YAYYY so glad this was a winner, Dylan!!
Kate says
I love that this does not have coconut milk! It's a nice change. Thanks!
Alexis Joseph says
Right! Let me know if you try it.
Heidi says
Amazing recipe! So easy!
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyy thanks Kori!
Lindsay says
Simple and delicious! The flavor combination is terrific! Love all the veggies.
Alexis Joseph says
I need to make this again, thanks so much Lindsay!
Emily says
Delicious! Used whatever vegetables I had on hand and turned out great.
Alexis says
Heck yes!!
Caroline says
This is my new favorite curry recipe! It turned out so creamy that I couldn't believe there was no dairy! I added an extra can of chickpeas and used a curry seasoning blend instead of just curry powder, but otherwise I followed the recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!
Alexis Joseph says
Heck yes! Aren't cashews amazing??
Kim says
I've been making a lot of tofu curries, and I loved the ease of swapping chickpeas here! Also perfect amount of spice, such a comforting dish at the end of a long, cold day. 🙂
Catilin says
I LOOOOOOVE this recipe! Absolutely one of my favorites. Jam packed with veggies, creamy and satisfying. Frequently in my rotation!
Alexis Joseph says
I so agree, thanks Caitlin!
Amanda Olson says
I just prepped this for my husband and I to eat for dinners this week. Once it was finished and getting packed up to go in the fridge, my husband and I kept stealing tastes becuase it is delicious! We're looking forwad to eating it this week! Thanks for yet another great recipe!
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyy! I love this one, too!
Maggie says
I made this stove top and it was AMAZING! But I just got an instant pot and was wondering if you could give directions for the recipe using the instant pot? Thank you!
Alexis Joseph says
Smart!! I would google "instant pot curry" and go from there! You'd prob just throw everything in the pot (no cashews tho) for X minutes (that's where google comes in) then stir in cashew cream. I'll experiment!
Emily says
Holy yum!! I did add a little bit of coconut milk to the batch just for fun, but so so delicious. Thank you for the great recipe!
Alexis says
Glad you liked them, Ashley! There's not cheese in this recipe but if you added that, sounds yum! --Alexis
Ashley says
Oh, I meant for the blended soaked cashews. I just used this instead: https://www.treelinecheese.com/products/
Thanks!
Alexis says
Thanks so much for your feedback, Andrea! I'm thrilled you loved it 🙂 Such a crowd-pleaser.
Ashley says
Hi Alex,
Wanted to let you know that I made this for my lunches this week and it's been great. I eat it cold and wrap it in collar greens. Next time, I would blanch the greens so it's not so bitter. But it's been working out great! Also I was lazy and bought cashew cheese instead of making that part myself.
Will make again for sure!
Andrea says
I made this dish last night and it was so yummy. I didn't have asparagus on hand but made it anyway.
A hearty, flavourful meal. Thank you Alexis!
Ryan says
We enjoyed this recipe immensely! Added a small can of coconut milk, which made it even better!
Kori says
Man oh man this looks ah-mazing!! I can’t wait for Matt & I to try it!
Dylan Miles says
I made this curry a few nights ago and it is such a dream!!!
Alexis says
Dylan, you're just my FAVORITE.