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    Home » All Recipes » Vegetarian Lunch + Dinner

    Chickpea Tomato Spinach Curry

    Published: Apr 10, 2020 · Modified: Aug 23, 2021 by Megan · This post may contain affiliate links.

    81.7K shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This Chickpea Tomato Spinach Curry is truly my go-to recipe for dinner right now! It's made almost entirely of pantry essentials with some fresh spinach to get in our greens. Whenever I'm craving healthier comfort food that can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less, I reach for a bowl of this warming, vegan, & gluten-free curry!

    bowl with chickpea tomato spinach curry and cilantro and lime on top

    These days I am ALL about the easy dinner recipes that are also packed with protein to keep me full.

    Between this curry, my Black Pepper Tofu, the creamiest Mushroom Wild Rice Soup, and my Eggplant Lentil Curry, I have a solid group of recipes on repeat. What I love most about this vegan curry is that it is truly SO simple and made with only 10 ingredients, many of which are pantry staples I always have in my house!

    Ingredient & substituion notes:

    • Curry Powder: I've made this curry with Simply Organics Curry Powder & Spice Islands Curry Powder and highly recommend both. If you can't find a pre-packaged curry powder, this is my favorite homemade curry powder recipe.
    • Oil: This recipe calls for just 1 Tbsp avocado oil, but you can replace it with 1-2 Tbsp of veggie broth when sauteing to make this entire recipe oil-free.
    • Fresh spinach: Can be subbed with defrosted and strained frozen spinach, though it will need about 1-2 minutes of extra cooking time.
    • Coconut Milk: I am going to be honest, there is not a good substitution for coconut milk in this recipe as it makes it very thick and creamy. However, if you only have plant-based milk on hand you can try using that but add in 1 Tbsp cornstarch/arrowroot powder to thicken the sauce.

    How to make an easy chickpea spinach curry

    First, Sauté Chickpea & Spices

    Start by heating the oil in a cast-iron skillet or pan. Then, add in the rinsed & dried chickpeas, curry powder, and a little salt.

    When I am making curry, I always pan fry the spices. I feel it removes some of the raw flavors of the spices and infuses them into the dish better. It's only a few minutes of time, but it's truly worth it!

    Then, add in everything but the spinach & cilantro

    When I said this recipe was easy, I meant it! After the chickpeas & spices have been fried a bit, add in everything else. This means the canned tomatoes, canned coconut milk, lime juice, salt, and optional nutritional yeast. Truly a one-pot curry!

    By the way, my secret to a good curry is to ALWAYS use fresh lime juice. I never make a curry without it and, while lemon works as a substitute, lime and coconut are truly a flavor match you just can't beat.

    Last, add in the spinach & cilantro

    As a last step add in the fresh spinach and cook everything together for about 1-2 minutes. Fresh spinach adds the perfect iron-filled green to this chickpea spinach curry, but it can also be subbed 1:1 for kale or even frozen spinach.

    If you do use kale or frozen spinach, you will have to cook the curry slightly longer (around 5 minutes vs 1-2) so just keep that in mind!

    making curry with spinach, chickpeas, and tomatoes in a cast iron skillet

    Once the curry is ready, turn off the heat and add the cilantro on top. Seriously, don't skip the cilantro as it gives this dish tons of great flavor!

    FAQ & Tips:

    Can I freeze chickpea curry?

    Yes! Chickpea curry can be stored in a closed container in the freezer for up to 1 month and keeps great as leftovers. Just defrost and reheat to enjoy.

    It can also be stored in the fridge in a closed container for 4-5 days.

    How do I serve vegan curry?

    This curry is great on it's own, but I also love eating this curry over a big bowl of white rice with additional fresh cilantro on top. However, it would also be great on its own or eaten with some fresh homemade Naan.

    three bowls filled with chickpea tomato spinach curry with cilantro and lime

    I truly hope you love this warming & comforting Chickpea Tomato Spinach Curry! It's one of those recipes you'll be reaching for when you want something healthy, hearty, and a truly QUICK curried chickpea recipe. Enjoy!

    -TSG

    More Vegan Weeknight Dinner Recipes You Will Love:

    • The Best Vegan Fried Rice
    • Vegan Thai Basil Tofu Coconut Curry
    • Spicy Baked Peanut Tofu
    • Vegan Lentil Stew

    If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star review on the recipe card. I always appreciate your feedback and support! You can also follow along on my Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest, or sign up for our newsletter!

    bowl with chickpea tomato spinach curry and cilantro and lime on top

    Chickpea Tomato Spinach Curry

    A warming and comforting curry with pantry staples like chickpeas, tomato, and coconut milk...plus fresh greens!
    4.59 from 31 votes
    Print Pin
    Course: Vegetarian Lunch + Dinner
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Author: Megan Horowitch

    Ingredients 
    US Customary - Metric

    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
    • 15 oz canned chickpeas 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas- rinsed and dried
    • 1.5 tablespoon curry powder*
    • 14.5 oz canned coconut milk I use full-fat coconut milk
    • 14.5 oz canned chopped tomatoes I like using fire-roasted tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast optional
    • 1.5-2 tablespoon lime juice
    • Salt to taste I find curry needs at least 2 tsp of salt, but please season to your preference!
    • 3 cups spinach loosely packed
    • 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped (more to top)

    Instructions

    • Begin by adding the oil to a skillet or large pan and turning on the heat. Once the oil is hot, add in the chickpeas and curry powder. Sauté together for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast the spices.
    • Next, add in the coconut milk, canned tomatoes, nutritional yeast  lime juice, and salt. Stir together to mix and bring to a simmer. Simmer together for about 5-10 minutes, stirring consistently.
    • In the last few minutes add in the fresh spinach and stir. Cook everything together about 1-2 minutes and season with additional salt, pepper, and lime juice to your liking.
    • Remove from the heat and add in the fresh cilantro. Serve immediately over rice or as is with extra fresh cilantro on top. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Any curry powder works for this recipe, but every curry powder varies in flavor intensity. If 1.5 Tbsp isn't enough flavor with the curry powder you are using, please use up to 2.5 Tbsp in this recipe
    • Curry can be stored in a closed container in the fridge up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Make sure the curry is room temperature before adding to the fridge/freezer for best storage results.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 859mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2285IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @shortgirltallorder or tag #sgtoeats!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandy says

      January 20, 2023 at 12:50 am

      5 stars
      I made this tonight. My husband is a meat eater but I am trying to get him to eat less meat. He was in the kitchen as I was preparing this and what is this it smells really good. He also said so this doesn’t have any meat in it though. When he finished eating it he looks at me and says this is a keeper.

      Reply
      • Megan says

        January 23, 2023 at 4:39 pm

        Love hearing that!! Thanks for the review 🙂

        Reply
    2. Gabriela says

      November 13, 2022 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      Made this last night and it was suuper easy and super delish!
      I used fresh coconut milk and added some onions! Will definately be making this again ❤ thanks for the recipe

      Reply
      • Megan says

        November 13, 2022 at 4:01 pm

        Sounds like great additions thanks for sharing 🙂

        Reply
    3. Diane says

      October 14, 2022 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      My husband came home and thought I ordered takeout Indian food. LOL. This is so delicious and comes together so quickly with amazing flavors. Great recipe and will be made often. I even had frozen basmati rice so this meal came together in under 30 minutes.

      Reply
      • Megan says

        October 14, 2022 at 12:45 pm

        That's amazing haha what a compliment! So happy you both liked it 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lisa B says

      September 27, 2022 at 12:15 am

      Love this recipe! Made it per the recipe the first time. Made it with red curry paste the second time. Tonight I am using the paste and substituting frozen spinach. Every time I make it, I fall in love with it all over again. Thank you for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Megan says

        September 27, 2022 at 2:38 am

        So happy you love it 🙂

        Reply
    5. jordi says

      September 17, 2022 at 11:07 pm

      5 stars
      I've been getting quite tired of the vegan recipes I have been using and this was a very happy surprise. I made it exactly according to the recipe and it was easy and delicious.

      It's definitely on the list to make again.

      Reply
    6. D.F says

      June 10, 2022 at 4:43 am

      Wow, this was just delicious. Easy to make and it comes together really quick for a week night dinner. Found it to be very creamy even though I used reduced fat coconut milk.

      Will be a dish in my regular rotation now!!

      Reply
      • Megan says

        June 10, 2022 at 2:20 pm

        Thanks so much for the review so happy to hear it! 🙂

        Reply
    7. AJ says

      March 17, 2022 at 9:49 pm

      5 stars
      This was good, thank you for sharing! Definitely don’t skimp on the lime when serving it. Somehow it brings out the flavor even more!

      Reply
      • Megan says

        March 18, 2022 at 2:16 pm

        Yes the lime juice is crucial to bring out the flavor of the spices 🙂 So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    8. Sharon Tucker says

      January 24, 2022 at 3:38 am

      I made this for my vegan neighbors as a Christmas gift. They loved it. I also included the recipe with the containers so they could make it themselves again. I had made it earlier in the week for my daughter who is a vegetarian. She also loved it so I knew it was a great gift for my neighbors. I made it only with lemon juice. I didn't have any limes on hand. I have a husband whose biggest compliment to vegan food is I didn't even miss the meat. ( He's a big meat eater.)

      Reply
      • Megan says

        January 24, 2022 at 5:41 pm

        So happy you all liked it and what a great idea for a gift 🙂 Thanks for the review!

        Reply
    9. Hanna says

      April 23, 2020 at 12:05 am

      4 stars
      Thanks for this recipe! I made it exactly as written using something in my pantry labeled "red curry powder" and was really impressed with the overall flavor, especially since it had a lot fewer spices in it than most curries I've made before. The second day, I cooked al dente rice noodles and then finished cooking them in the curry while I warmed it back up, and it made for a more filling meal with less broth because the broth soaked into the noodles. Next time I would like to add some more vegetables, to bulk out the meal and make it less liquidy which I wasn't my preference. I am thinking of adding cauliflower or potato, and/or broccoli or eggplant, and an onion in the beginning.

      Reply
    10. Hanna says

      April 23, 2020 at 12:05 am

      4 stars
      Thanks for this recipe! I made it exactly as written using something in my pantry labeled "red curry powder" and was really impressed with the overall flavor, especially since it had a lot fewer spices in it than most curries I've made before. The second day, I cooked al dente rice noodles and then finished cooking them in the curry while I warmed it back up, and it made for a more filling meal with less broth because the broth soaked into the noodles. Next time I would like to add some more vegetables, to bulk out the meal and make it less liquidy which I wasn't my preference. I am thinking of adding cauliflower or potato, and/or broccoli or eggplant, and an onion in the beginning.

      Reply
      • ShortGirlTallOrder says

        April 23, 2020 at 12:11 am

        So glad you enjoyed the curry! All those vegetable add ins sound great! If you do add broccoli I may add it closer to the end so it doesn't get mushy, but onions and eggplant would be wonderful to add at the beginning :).

        Reply
    11. Monica Nedeff says

      April 20, 2020 at 8:42 pm

      I love coconut curries!! I've only made them a few times, but I've never tried pan frying the spices. Makes sense though! Thanks for the tip - definitely trying this next time!

      Reply
      • ShortGirlTallOrder says

        April 20, 2020 at 9:19 pm

        Yeah I definitely feel it brings out the flavor! Hope you love this curry too 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Megan! I believe eating plant-based food can be enjoyable for everyone. Eating plants doesn't have to be hard and it certainly shouldn't be boring. I am here to help you on your journey to eating food you actually feel good about and to make cooking at home fun again! 

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