As the weather cools down and we approach the fall season, cozy, warm, and delicious curry is a total must. There are many variations of curry recipes, so today we’re sharing a healthy vegan version that’s loaded with nutrition and flavor! Here are some of the highlights:
- Lentils and chickpeas are perfect for curry as they’re loaded with protein!
- The creamy curry sauce is the best balance of sweet, savory, and spice. It doesn’t require curry powder (in case you don’t have it on hand) and is adjustable!
- Fresh or dried basil can be added to this recipe to take it to another level.
- This chickpea curry recipe can be meal prepped and refrigerated or frozen for later!
Let’s get started!
RELATED: Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup Recipe
How to make the BEST Coconut Lentil & Chickpea Curry
What you’ll need:
- Coconut oil
- Coconut milk
- Spices, like cumin powder, turmeric, garlic, and ginger
- Agave (or honey, if not you’re not making this vegan)
- Canned chickpeas
- Dry lentils of choice
- Crushed red pepper (adjust for spicy level)
- Dried or fresh basil (optional)
Feel free to add tomatoes, spinach, chopped carrots, kale, or any other vegetables you want to try out in this curry recipe!
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Freezing chickpea curry
Want to make this chickpea curry recipe in advance and freeze it for later? Simply store the recipe in an airtight container (without the lid) in the refrigerator for about an hour. Then place the lid on the container and move it to the freezer. Store curry in the freezer for up to 3 months!
To reheat, microwave the curry for about 3-5 minutes (depending on the amount of the recipe).
More curry recipes you’ll love:
Watch how to make this Coconut Lentil & Chickpea Curry
The BEST Coconut Lentil & Chickpea Curry
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry lentils
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 13.5 oz. can coconut milk
- 1/2 Tbsp cumin powder
- 1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 2 Tbsp agave syrup (or honey)
- 15 grape tomatoes (halved)
- 1 1/4 cups chickpeas (canned)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- salt/pepper (to taste)
- crushed red pepper (to taste)
- fresh or dried basil (optional)
Instructions
- Bring the dry lentils and water to a boil.
- Reduce heat and let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the lentils are softened (and the water is absorbed).
- Add in the coconut oil and stir.
- Add in the coconut milk, cumin, turmeric, garlic, ginger, and agave.
- Add in the cayenne, salt and pepper to taste, and desired amount of crushed red pepper.
- While allowing the curry to simmer, add in the grape tomatoes and chickpeas.
- Cook for about 7-10 minutes.
- Serve and top with fresh or dried basil.
- Enjoy!
Debora says:
This is my first foray into vegetarian cooking and I was totally impressed with this recipe. I followed recipe according to your instructions, however, I added additional vegetables as was not sure how filling this would be. Turned out so well and made bulgur and side salad to go with it. This recipe was even better tasting the next day. Will definitely make again and anxious to try other recipes from this website.
Yvonne E Siber says:
Is coconut milk truly needed?
Looks good; I’d like to try it for dinner tonight but I may be out of coconut milk.
Christine McMichael replied:
I recommend it because it adds a creamy texture with just a touch of sweet, but you could also substitute with regular milk or unflavored almond milk. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Stevan says:
This is a very easy flavourful recipe. I added canned lentils instead of dry. Served over rice and boiled potatoes(ran out of rice). Even threw in a can of green beans I noticed in cupboard. I love to cook from scratch but this is a quality recipe I’m going to be repeating.
Morgan Harvey says:
Reluctantly have been attempting meatless recipes recently….. this changed my whole outlook on this idea! This chickpea and lentil curry is incredible… I was instantly addicted. Smells and tastes delicious. Will be making several more batches. I also loved this recipe because I froze a few containers after it was cooled and thawed for work lunches and it turned out amazing. Thank you!
AliHR says:
I made it today, partly out of intrigue (a curry with no onion or fresh garlic???!) and partly out of laziness as I didn’t want to go shopping for ingredients and everything was already in my pantry. Surprisingly tasty!! Not something I would call a curry – more of a stew with some mild spices – but considering how easy it was and so few ingredients, it really delivered. My instinct was that it was too much honey, and I wish I had followed that – it was a little too sweet for my taste. For this reason, I wouldn’t add peas or carrots or any very sweet veg. I didn’t have grape tomatoes, so threw in some red bell pepper. But I (accidentally) cranked up the cumin, cayenne and chili flakes and I will be doing the same again for sure!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks for the review! Since this recipe is made to be very quick and easy, we use pantry ingredients that are easily available for that reason – sometimes you don’t feel like heading out to purchase onions! However, feel free to sub garlic powder and dried onion for fresh at anytime. 🙂 I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe!
Lisa replied:
Had to sautee onion and garlic with mine, but it was so delicious. Definite fav!
Molly says:
Just made this. I added carrots and spinach. It was so easy and can be customized with whatever you have on hand. I only had lite coconut milk but it still turned out thick and hearty.
Denise Humphreys says:
I absolutely loved the ease of this recipe but even more I enjoyed the taste! Just so so tasty. And so healthy too … served it with Cous cous as I’m not a rice lover … I made two huge batches of the curry as I cook and freeze food for the convenience … it freezes well and actually enhances the flavours since they develop even more after freezing! Just delicious!
Suzanne says:
Delicious & super easy. My husband loved it. I cook primarily Indian curries. This recipe is a keep! Thanks for posting!
Christine McMichael replied:
That’s so great, Suzanne! I’m glad your husband loved it, too!