Sweet, creamy and a little spicy, this cauliflower chickpea curry is the answer to just about any weeknight dinner dilemma. Made from pantry and fridge staples, you can have this vegetarian-friendly Indian curry recipe on the table in about 30 minutes – but let’s keep that between ourselves ok?
Because honestly, this Indian inspired dish tastes like it took hours to make.
Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
If you’ve been reading ACT for a while, you know I love Indian curries. Whether it’s this simple tomato-based Chicken Madras, or this silky smooth Coconut Chicken Curry, these recipes are in frequent rotation here at ACT.
Seriously, what’s not to like about a dish that is easy, filling and bursting with flavor?
If you aren’t familiar with curries, this Indian cauliflower chickpea curry is a great introduction. This one-pan meal can be made in under 30 minutes and you probably have most of the ingredients you need right n your pantry!
What is Cauliflower Chickpea Curry?
This simple, vegan curry combines cauliflower and chickpeas in a lightly spiced, creamy coconut sauce. In India, the word “curry” is used for any dish (meat, vegetables and /or seafood) that are cooked in an Indian-style sauce of strong spices and typically served with rice.
This cauliflower chickpea curry uses curry powder instead of individual spices. Tip:If the last time you used a bottle of curry powder was during the London Olympics, throw it out and treat yourself to a new bottle or use the recipe above to make your own!
What is in Cauliflower Chickpea Curry?
For this recipe, you will need:
- A head of cauliflower
- Canned chickpeas
- canned, diced tomatoes
- canned coconut milk
- onions
- ginger and garlic paste OR fresh ginger and garlic
- curry powder
- cilantro
- salt and pepper
How to Make Indian Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
- Saute the onions, garlic, and ginger together in a skillet for about 8 minutes.
- Add the curry powder and saute for about 30 seconds.
- Add the cauliflower, tomatoes, and cauliflower.
- Stir in the chickpeas.
- Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer for 10 – 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Tip: Do not allow the mixture to boil or the coconut milk will separate!
- Serve with a side of rice or these yogurt flatbreads.
Tips for Making and Eating Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
Here are some simple tips and ideas for making and serving this Indian curry recipe!
Can you freeze this recipe?
I don’t recommend freezing this curry because it has coconut milk in it. When you freeze anything with coconut milk, the coconut milk separates. The great thing about this recipe is that it’s so easy to make! Even on the busiest of nights, you can have this on the table in just under half an hour!
Cauliflower Chickpea Curry variations
This delicious curry makes a great base for the addition of other ingredients! Feel free to “mix it up a bit” and experiment with other combinations. Some ideas to get you started include:
- Cauliflower Chickpea Curry with Potatoes: add 1 cup of potatoes cut into ½ inch dice when you add the cauliflower and tomatoes! Russets, yukon gold or red skinned potatoes all work beautifully so use what you have!
- Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry with Spinach: Frozen spinach is a great addition to this curry. Add ½ frozen spinach after adding the coconut milk.
- Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry with Peas: Frozen peas are also a great addition to this curry! Add ½ cup of peas to the curry right after stirring in the coconut milk.
Other Indian recipes you might enjoy:
If you enjoyed this recipe, I’d truly appreciate it if you’d leave me a comment and rate it! Thank you so mucgh!!!
Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons canola oil
- 2 onions cut into ½ inch dice
- 2 teaspoons ginger and garlic paste OR 1 ½ teaspoons pressed garlic and ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 5 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 medium head cauliflower broken into small florets
- 1 package Melissa’s steamed garbanzo beans or one 15 oz. can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- two 10 oz. cans diced tomatoes with green chiles I used Rotel brand
- one 14 oz. can reduced fat unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Add two tablespoons canola oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic paste and saute until golden, about 8 minutes.
- Sprinkle the curry powder over and stir for about 30 seconds – you should be able to smell the spices! Add the cauliflower, tomatoes, garbanzo beans and stir.
- Add the coconut milk, stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the mixture has thickened slightly and the cauliflower is tender. Remove the lid and taste, adding additional salt, and pepper as needed. Garnish with cilantro.
Oh, this sounds delicious!! I’m definitely going to try this! 🙂
I hope you enjoy it!!! I love meals that are easy and nutritious!!!
At what point do you add the cilantro?
Hi Betsy!!
Thanks so much for stopping by – it is clear that I am in desperate need of an editor!!! So sorry about the omission!! I add the cilantro just before serving!!!
What brand of curry powder do you use?
Looks absolutely delicious. I am going to make this and serve it over cauliflower rice.
Hi Cathy! I use Penzey’s brand – which is the one I used in this dish. Lately I’ve been mixing my own though!! Oooooh… cauliflower rice – love that!!!
You’re American, right?
For the Brits reading this: “15oz. garbanzo beans” = a 400g or so tin of chickpeas from your local supermarket.
The green chillis will h ave to be diced and sliced spearately, go for medium hot and add them to the pan with the onion.
“Cilantro” = coriander, and is an acquired taste, so go carefully there.
Do you drain the diced tomatoes first?
Hi Jo,
No need to drain! Just open the cans and pour them in!
Thanks for recipe. I spiced it up a bit with chilli, Garam Marsala, coriander, cardamom turmeric, garlic and omitted curry powder. I used ‘fresh’ cooked chick peas but everything else was the same. Mine was a bit runny but still tasted wonderful even though it didn’t look as goo as yours!
Could I do this recipe without the two 10 oz. cans diced tomatoes with green chiles and maybe instead add some diced red pepper with the onions at the beginning?
Hello Taylor – yes I see no reason why you couldn’t do that at all!!!
Delicious and easy! We omitted the cilantro as it’s not in season in Canada ?? but the recipe turned out fine. As Protein is not noted on the nutrition facts we diced in one boneless chicken breast to try to ensure a balanced meal. Definitely opened the “gateway “ to Indian cooking for me!
Hi Janet – I am soo happy you enjoyed this recipe! By itself, you are right, the dish isn’t high in protein. If you serve it over rice though, it’s a whole different story and a great source of protein for vegetarians!