Vegan Curried Chickpea Stew
on May 05, 2023, Updated Aug 13, 2024
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This vegan curried chickpea stew takes just 30 minutes to make in one pot with basic pantry ingredients.
This hearty and satisfying stew is perfect for those looking for a wholesome plant-based meal that’s easy to make and packed with nutrition. Even better, the rice is added right into the stew, making it a one-pot meal that requires minimal clean-up.
For more one pan chickpeas recipes, this chickpea skillet, sweet potato chickpea skillet and Mediterranean chickpea skillet are all popular.
The stew is seasoned with a blend of curry-inspired spices, including cumin, turmeric, and curry powder.
The addition of onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, coconut milk, and spinach further enhances the nutritional and flavour profile. You can find similar ingredients in my curried lentil soup and chickpea potato stew.
The chickpeas, which are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, make this dish especially filling and nutritious.
Ingredient Notes
The full list of ingredients with measurements can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Onion: You can use white onion or yellow onion.
- Garlic & Ginger: The recipe calls for fresh garlic and ginger but you can substitute 1 tsp garlic powder and ground ginger in a pinch.
- Diced Tomatoes: Any canned diced tomatoes work but fire-roasted is best for extra flavour.
- Coconut Milk: The recipe calls for light coconut milk but you can use full-fat coconut milk if that’s what you have.
- Chickpeas: The recipe calls for drained and rinsed canned chickpeas but you could also cook your own from scratch.
- Rice: Use basmati or jasmine rice. You can substitute quinoa or another grain, you’ll just need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Spinach: Use regular or baby fresh spinach. You can omit this or substitute finely chopped kale.
Adjustments
- For a thinner consistency like soup, increase the vegetable broth to 3 cups.
- Add extra veggies like 1 cup cubed potato, butternut squash or sweet potato, 1 diced bell pepper, 1 cup chopped zucchini, 1 cup chopped carrot or 1-2 cups chopped cauliflower.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook Onion and Garlic
Saute the onions, garlic and ginger for 5-6 minutes until soft and fragrant.
You can use 1 tbsp of oil, water or vegetable broth to cook the veggies.
If you’re adding any extra veggies, add them after cooking the onion, garlic and ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes before adding the spices.
Step 2: Add Spices
Next, add all the spices and cook for 2-3 minutes to toast the spices, stirring constantly .
Step 3: Simmer Stew
Add everything except for the spinach and lime and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender.
Step 4: Add Spinach & Lime
Stir in the spinach and lime, turn the heat off and let sit for 5 minutes. That’s it!
Serve your stew right away, topped with fresh cilantro and another squeeze of fresh lime juice. Even better, fresh naan or pita for dipping.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. This recipe freezes well. To freeze, cool then transfer to freezer bags or an airtight container and freeze up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat in a pot on the stovetop or in individual portions in the microwave until heated through.
Yes, you can use dried chickpeas instead of canned but you’ll need to either soak them overnight and cook them before using in the recipe.
The stew is delicious on its on but you can also serve it with fresh, warm naan or pita for dipping.
Mango chutney or raita would be yummy as a topping. Roasted vegetables, this roasted cauliflower salad or any light green salad would pair well for side dishes. It would also be good with some crispy tofu mixed in for extra protein.
How to Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat as needed in a pot on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- The stew will continue to thicken with time. You can stir in some broth or water to adjust the consistency when you reheat it, if desired.
- To freeze, cool and store in freezer bags or an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
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Vegan Chickpea Curry Stew
Ingredients
- 1 medium white onion, finely diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1.5 tbsp)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 x 28 oz. can diced tomatoes with the juices
- 2 x 19 oz. cans chickpeas, drained and well-rinsed (about 4 cups)
- 1 x 400 mL can light coconut milk
- 1.5 cups vegetable broth, 354 mL
- 1/2 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati rice, 92 g
- 1 x 10 oz. bag baby spinach
- 1-2 tbsp fresh lime juice, optional
- finely chopped cilantro for topping, optional
Instructions
- Cook Onion, Garlic & Ginger: Add the onion, garlic, ginger and salt to a soup pot with 1 tbsp oil, vegetable broth or water for cooking. Saute for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Toast Spices: Add all of the spices and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add Liquids, Chickpeas and Rice: Add the diced tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut milk, broth and rice.
- Cook Stew: Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Add Spinach and Lime: Stir in the spinach and a squeeze of lime juice, turn off the heat and let sit for 4-5 more minutes until the spinach has wilted and mixed into the stew.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper, if needed, and serve right away topped with finely chopped fresh cilantro and more lime.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published August 20, 2015.
Hi Deryn, this terrific recipe has been on regular rotation at our house for a few years now.
We love the aromas that fill the house. Love that it uses staples we always have on hand.
Thanks for a delicious vegan dish.
Thank you, Karen!
Made this last night and it was excellent! I added cubed potatoes and some chopped cauliflower and it was awesome but increased the cook time by a lot. I’d recommend parboiling the potatoes unless you have the time to let it simmer for almost an hour. We let it simmer and the flavors were on point! Great recipe!
Very good. Cooks up quickly and is so delicious. Served it over brown basmati rice. Yum!
Could I use full fat coconut milk?
Yes. Thanks. For next time, you can always read through the post for substitution notes!
Delicious meal! Very easy to make. Loved the touch of spinach in here. Must try!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
This recipe is so delicious and easy to make… I think I’ve already made it 4 times!
That’s awesome, Taylor! So glad you like it.
Delicious recipe! Will definitely be making this again, thank you!
Awesome recipe, made it as above. Thanks so much for sharing!
I made this last night and loved it lots its now in the power rotation
Thanks for sharing it
Mike
Delicious, fresh, spicy and filling, this will definitely be a regular meal in our home.
Excellent! So glad you enjoyed it, Kim. Thanks for the review.