Vegan Chickpea and Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk
A fragrant, protein-rich curry with chickpeas and seasonal vegetables simmered in creamy coconut milk, served over brown rice. This indian-inspired snacks ready in about 60 minutes pairs (15 oz, drained and rinsed) chickpeas, (uncooked) brown rice, (13.5 oz, full fat) coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz, drained and rinsed) chickpeas
- 1 cup (uncooked) brown rice
- 1 can (13.5 oz, full fat) coconut milk
- 1 (diced) red bell pepper
- 1 medium (diced) zucchini
- 1 medium (diced) onion
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 tbsp (freshly grated) ginger
- 2 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp (chopped) fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 1 cup uncooked brown rice in 2 cups water for 35-40 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook until translucent (5 minutes).
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 2 tsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric, and 1/2 tsp cumin, cooking for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 medium diced zucchini, and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Pour in 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
- Step 7: Season with 1/2 tsp salt. Serve over cooked brown rice, garnished with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegan Chickpea and Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Vegan Chickpea and Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (uncooked) brown rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegan Chickpea and Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Vegan Chickpea and Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Vegan Chickpea and Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk?
Indian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a quick dinner, loved the coconut milk flavor.
- ★★★★★
This is my new favorite weeknight meal!
- ★★★★☆
Cooked for 45 minutes instead of 30, but still delicious.