This easy Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry is completely vegan, packed with vegetables, and can be made in the Instant Pot too. Mildly spiced and balanced with coconut milk, this vegetarian curry is freezer friendly, and packed with plant-based protein to boot.
Hey! Are you looking for the best vegan curry recipe on the internet?
Or, wait. Maybe a killer Instant Pot Chickpea Curry?
What about Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry?
You are? Amazing news... this is all of those things!
Yep, you heard me right. What I've got here today is a easy, delicious, and nourishing vegan chickpea curry recipe that I've tested in both the Instant Pot and in my trusty ol' crockpot to bring you a delightfully simple recipe that you can make whatever way you like.
I've kind of got a thing for vegetarian curry recipes, as you might have guessed from my Mung Bean and Coconut Curry (the most popular recipe on HNL, by a landslide) or my Red Lentil Dal recipe (also slow cooker and Instant Pot tested), or my Curried Cauliflower Chickpea Wraps. So when I say that *this* chickpea curry recipes is the bomb dot com, I feel like I'm kind of an authority on the matter.
Are you ready to take a trip to curry town with me? Let's go!
What's in this Chickpea Curry recipe?
Alrighty my friends, here's what you're going to need:
- Chickpeas --> You saw that coming, right? Canned is fine, but if you want to start from dried, be sure to check out my Instant Pot Chickpeas.
- Cauliflower --> The other other white veg. Or whatever.
- Potatoes --> Some nice starch going on here.
- Bell peppers --> Both red and green.
- Canned tomatoes --> A beloved pantry staple.
- Vegetable broth --> Not pictured, but it's in there.
- Coconut milk --> Nice and lush.
- Spinach --> A whole baby of baby spinach.
- Onions --> Our flavour base.
- Ginger and garlic --> flavour support crew.
- Curry powder --> Yup.
- Cayenne pepper --> Bringing the heat.
Do I need any special equipment?
You'll need either a slow cooker or an Instant Pot.
When I got my Instant Pot I bought the extra glass lid with vent that allows me to use it as a slow cooker as well, and then gave my slow cooker away, which is why all of the photos below are in an Instant Pot, even when we're referring to a slow cooker. Sorry for any confusion.
How do you make this recipe?
Whether you decide to make Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry or Instant Pot Chickpea Curry, we're going to start by cooking our aromatics, like onions, garlic, ginger, and spices.
If you have an Instant Pot you can do this right in the appliance using the sauté function. If you're using a classic slow cooker like a Crock Pot, you'll need to start the aromatics in a frying pan and then transfer them to the slow cooker. It's no big deal, but will dirty up an extra dish.
Step 1: Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed frying pan or in your Instant Pot on sauté. Add the onions, and sauté for about five minutes, stirring regularly, until the onions are translucent.
Step 2: Add the garlic, ginger, spices, and salt, and sauté for 1-2 additional minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat, and, if you're using a slow cooker, scrape the contents of the pan into the ceramic base.
Step 3: Add the cauliflower, potatoes, red and green peppers, and the chickpeas.
Step 4: Add the canned tomatoes and the vegetable broth. Give it a good stir.
Step 5: Cook the curry!
If you're making Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry, set your slow cooker to HIGH for four hours.
If you're making Instant Pot Chickpea Curry, set it to HIGH PRESSURE on manual for five minutes. Once the pressure cooking cycle is done, you'll want to use a quick release.
Step 6: Remove the lid, and give the curry a stir. Add the baby spinach, bit by bit, and stir it through to wilt.
Step 7: Add the coconut milk, and stir to combine.
That's it! Your curry is done!
Can I make this recipe in advance?
You sure can. It will last for about 5 days in an air-tight container in your fridge. Leftovers reheat well, and it's one of those recipes that tastes better the day after it's first made.
Can I freeze the curry?
You can and you should. I like to freeze individual servings to have on hand for busy days. I usually freeze soups and stews in empty cottage cheese containers because we pretty much always have some on hand.
Otherwise, I love to freeze stews like this chickpea curry in reusable silicon freezer bags.
Can I substitute x, y, or z?
Probably! If you read the comments below you'll see that some folks have swapped out the potato for sweet potato, for example. You can generally use vegetables that you love, so long as they're of a sturdy nature that would hold up well to the long time in the slow cooker.
If you *do* try a substitution, please let us know in the comments below!
Hey Nutrition Lady, are chickpeas healthy.
Yup. Here's what you need to know:
Chickpeas, aka garbanzo beans, are a super food! They contain about 12.5 grams of fiber per cup, which is 50% of the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber. Keeps you regular, folks!
About two-thirds of the fiber in garbanzos is insoluble, which is great for digestive health, particularly in the colon. The remaining third is soluble fiber, which can help lower our LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides; important for cardiovascular health.
Chickpeas are also a great source of plant-based protein, offering up about 12 grams per cup. The protein-fiber combination in chickpeas is key for stabilizing blood sugar levels, as both protein and fiber move through our digestive systems at a moderate pace.
Chickpeas are notable for antioxidant nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, but also contain concentrated supplies of antioxidant phytonutrients such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Chickpeas also contain valuable amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the body's omega-3 fatty acid from which all other omega-3 fats are made. Chickpeas - what's not to love?!
Other Cozy Dishes You Might Enjoy:
Slow Cooker Red Lentil Dal
Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Mung Bean and Coconut Curry
Red Lentil Stew
Vegan Chickpea Noodle Soup
Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup
Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 medium yellow potatoes diced
- 1 Tablespoon curry powder
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger finely diced or grated
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced or crushed
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 14 oz cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 1 medium head cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 14 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 14 oz can coconut milk
- 1 8 oz bag baby spinach
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed flying pan over medium-high heat. If you're using an Instant Pot, this can be done directly in the pot using the sauté function.
- Add the onion, and sauté until translucent - about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the curry powder, ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper, and cook for about 1 minute.
- Remove the onions from the heat, and scrape them, along with all of the spices, into the slow cooker. If any of the spices are stuck to the pan, you can rinse it out with a bit of vegetable broth.
- Add the chickpeas, peppers, potato, cauliflower, tomatoes, and broth.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Cover, and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Seal the Instant Pot and set to manual HIGH PRESSURE for 5 minutes. When the pressure cooking cycle is complete, use the quick release.
To finish
- Stir in the spinach bit by bit to allow it to wilt.
- Stir in the coconut milk.
- Taste, and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve over rice, or with naan bread.
Notes
- Nutrition values are an estimate only.
- Chickpea curry will last 3-5 days in the fridge, or you can portion it and freeze for up to three months.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published February 16, 2018. It was retested, rephotographed, and updated on February 27, 2020.
Shat
Has anyone swapped kale for spinach? Your thoughts?
Katie Trant
You definitely could, I'd just add it a bit earlier in the cooking since kale takes longer to wilt. Maybe half way through or even at the beginning? Go for it!
Marie
Could you use light coconut milk?
Katie Trant
Yes you could, although the end result would be less rich.
Jennifer
Hi! This is a recipe I make regularly, and my husband and I both really enjoy it! I noticed for the first time today that there is a 'typo' in the first line under, "Instructions" - the word, "flying" instead of, "frying"! Obviously easily missed, but it gave me quite a laugh!
Jessie
I’m going to make this today but don’t have cauliflower. Do you think broccoli would work in its place?
Katie Trant
Yes!
sal
Hey,
Love the look of this recipe. I only have dried chickpeas which i soaked overnight. can i use this instead of canned chickpeas? thanks!
Katie Trant
You definitely can, but you will have to cook them before adding them to this recipe.
AlI
I accidentally added the coconut milk in with everything before turning the heat on. Will it still turn out okay?
Katie Trant
Should be fine!
David
Just made this but found I needed a hell of a lot more curry powder, once cooked it just tasted like tomatoes. Big dollop of powder later and its all good
Liz Butler
Thanks Katie, I'll give it a go!
Liz Butler
Hello
Is it ok to use garam masala instead of curry powder?
Thank you.
Liz
Katie Trant
Hey Liz, I've never tried this, but I'm sure it would turn out fine if you prefer the flavour of garam masala. Let us know how it turns out!
Kiran Gill
Hi, I haven't made this curry yet but was a little worried about using 2 cans? I don't like too much tomato's buy this recipe uses 2 cans. Anyone think the tomato taste is overpowering? Thanks
Katie Trant
Hi Kiran, two cans of tomatoes works out to about 3 cups of crushed tomatoes. Since there are lots of spices and also coconut milk in this recipe I wouldn't say it's overwhelmingly tomato-ey, but who knows, if you don't like tomatoes you may not like it ????????♀️
Kiran
I have made this recipie so many times since I discovered it in 2019. I am not a massive fan of tomatoes but I want to stick to the recipe as much as possible. I add 2 heaped tablespoon of tomato puree and its absolutely amazing. I also add 1 tsp of coriander and garam masala. Honestly 1 of the best chickpea curries. Thank you
sharla
If opting to use dried chickpeas instead of canned, how much would one use?
Katie Trant
Each 14oz can contains about 1.5 cups of chickpeas, so you'd use 3 cups of COOKED chickpeas. Don't put the dried beans into this recipe without soaking and cooking them first.
Bruno
Hi, I made it with dried chickpeas, low setting, 8 hours, works fine. I think you do not need to soak pulses to cook in a slow cooker, generally.
I made it without cauliflower (I had no time in the morning to cut it). I was an OK result, my family liked it. I was not too impressed though: I would have liked more coconut milk in it, for one (a matter of personal taste). But it was also a little bland. Definitely worth trying again with somewhat different spicing.
Larissa
Very yummy, just used water instead of stock great flavour Thankyou for the recipe.
Christine Bandy
Oh my gosh so delicious!!! Used half potato, half sweet potato and daaamn was it good! Also sprinkled a little hot chili flakes on at the end. A+ lady!!
Katie Trant
I'll have to try using some sweet potato next time!
JANICE
I made this for the first time today and it was a nice easy recipe to follow. The flavours were really good so I'll make it again. It'd be nice if the cauliflower didn't get so soft but with 4 hours in the slow cooker, it was inevitable. Next time I may try adding it partway through to try to keep some texture instead of being so mushy. Or I may try doing it on the stove top instead of the slowcooker. I also found mine to have quite a bit of liquid but served over rice it soaked in nicely.
Katie Trant
Hey Janice, I keep the cauliflower chunks quite big and I find that helps with the texture!
Sustainable Cooks - Sarah
Love how cozy and comforting this dish is! Anything slow cooker or instant Pot is totally my jam.
Lauren
Perfect hearty meal for the cool winter season.
alice k mynett
We are not a meat-free household, as you know, but I always have portions of this chick pea curry in my freezer for use when a vegetarian visits (like tomorrow). Thank you for helping me to be prepared for different dietary needs.
Tessa
I’m not normally a fan of curry but this dish was my kind of food and I had to try it. Very tasty. I definitely will be making it again.
Jo
Hi there ...... I can't wait to make this. Only thing is, I don't own a slow cooker!
Any chance you could steer me in the right direction to either cooking it in a crock pot in the oven or on the stove top?
Many thanks in advance!
Katie Trant
Hi Jo, I've never tried making this recipe not in a slowcooker, so I can't say exactly how it would turn out. But I'd guess at cooking the onions garlic and ginger until soft, adding the potatoes, peppers, cauliflower, and spices and sautéing for a few min, then adding the tomatoes and veg broth, bringing to a boil, then reducing, covering, and simmering until the potatoes and cauliflower are tender. Then add the spinach and coconut milk. This is a total guess though, so please excuse any errors in execution!
Jo
That's very sweet of you to work that out for me! Meanwhile I've found a 5 liter slow cooker in KMart for only $20 so now I can cook it slow ..... or fast!
Many thanks Katie!
Bill
Noticed the recipe calls for diced tomato but doesn't list it in the actual preparation?
Katie Trant
Whoops! Thanks for catching that. The tomatoes go into the slow cooker together with the broth. I've updated the recipe now!
Bill
While I've got you here so to speak, what should the consistency be like when it's ready to serve? I made a batch last night (so late that it finished at 1am, haha) and while the ingredients added a lot of volume the sauce is fairly watery. Was going to simmer it today to reduce it.
Katie Trant
Hey Bill, while the sauce shouldn't be super liquidy, with the coconut milk added at the end what you have is a fragrant broth that's excellent to sop up with some rice or bread. So not runny like a soup, but there is definitely some liquid there (as pictured in this post). All slow cookers are a bit different, so it's possible yours needed a bit more time. Let me know how it turns out!
Carley
This looks like a fantastic recipe! My daughter is allergic to cauliflower...is there anything else that I could use instead or would it be a good idea to add more potatoes and veggies? Also, wondering if this freezes well?
Thanks!
Katie Trant
Hi Carley, I haven't tried this with anything other than cauliflower so I can't say for sure how it would turn out... I'm thinking zucchini might be a good substitute, but I also worry it might get too mushy with the slow cooking. You can definitely increase all of the other veggies and potatoes. Or you could try using some butternut squash or even parsnip? Let me know what you end up doing and how it turns out! And yes, this recipe freezes like a dream 🙂
Sue
Hi, I’ve just made this today and the ingredients are just lovely , but I found It really liquidy....I have found that by omitting the cups of vegetable stock and just using a stock cube together with the coconut milk you end up with a thicker consistency ....I know that cooking with coconut milk from the outset is not always recommended I think it works a treat.....otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed it, delicious 😊
Sunniva
Hi! I´m trying it with brussel sprouts, halved. Just an idea! First time I´m making this recipe. As I´ve seen in the comments that it's a little watery, I added only one can of tomates and one of tomato paste. It's looking good!
Carole Hildebrandt
My husband has been converted to a chickpea lover... Yeah!
We served our dish with naan, simply delicious
Katie Trant
Nice one, Carole! Good to have another chickpea lover in this world 😉
Cath
YUM! Made this today & it was delicious! Few changes as didn't have all the ingredients - 1x tin lentils as only had 1 tin chickpea, and pak choi for spinach. Yum. Much enjoyed by 2x 7 year olds too. Thank you!
Katie Trant
Those sound like great swaps, Cath! I never would have considered using pak choi in this dish, but I can totally see how it would work. And if it's 7yr old approved, even better!