Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry in a white bowl with rice, with a spoon nearby

This not-so-authentic take on a vegetarian Thai red curry is an EXPLOSION of awesome flavor. And the best part? It comes together in less than 20 minutes. You typically wouldnโ€™t pair hot-off-the-presses naan with a Thai curry, but I love serving some up with this. In no time at all, youโ€™ve got yourself an amazing healthy dinner that the whole family will love.

If you’ve never made curry before, it’s nothing to be afraid of. The best way to get the curry flavor you’re used to from your favorite South Asian restaurant is to use curry paste. Yes, they sell curry powder at most grocery stores, but the flavor of typical curry spices tends to fade very quickly after grindingโ€”so powder form isn’t the best way to get robust flavor.

Spoon full of white rice and chickpea and cauliflower curry on a spoon that is resting on the edge of a white bowl of curry.
White bowl full of chickpea and cauliflower curry and white rice, with a torn piece of naan tucked into the rice.

Curry paste is the wet version of curry powder, and you can probably find it at your regular supermarket in the international foods aisle. Because it is wet, it keeps the flavor of the spices nice and robust, and having a bottle of curry paste in the fridge makes it a BREEZE to make a simple curry like this one.

For this recipe, you’re looking to pick up red curry pasteโ€”Mae Ploy brand is one that a lot of folks like, but I can’t find it at my supermarket, so I usually just use Thai Kitchen. If you’re a little more advanced, you can also make your own curry paste at homeโ€”here’s a great how-to from Hot Thai Kitchen.

Spoon full of Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry resting on a bowl of curry, rice, and naan
Red curry paste on a spoon, on a marbled background

This recipe also makes an awesome make-ahead meal prep recipe, if youโ€™re so inclined. Just pre-cook the curry and your rice, pop them into meal prep containers, and stash them in the fridge until youโ€™re ready to microwave. Enjoy!

 
Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry

Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry is packed with bold flavor, but only takes about 20 minutes to come together from start to finish thanks to using curry paste. You can find curry paste in the international food section of most supermarkets!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2โ€“4 tablespoons red curry paste
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 14-ounce can coconut milk
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 small head cauliflower, broken into small florets
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Rice, cauliflower rice, and/or naan for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the coconut oil and curry paste in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until the oil is melted and the curry paste is fragrant.
  2. Add in the ginger, onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until the veggies are tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add in the coconut milk, chickpeas, diced tomatoes, and cauliflower. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the cauliflower is tender and the sauce is thick and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
  4. Stir in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve over top of cooked rice with a side of hot naan for serving. Serve over cauliflower rice to keep it grain-free.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 480Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1924mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 11gSugar: 11gProtein: 14g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

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86 Comments

  1. Our family has been enjoying this recipe for years! Trying this yummy dish was the first time I tried curry. Do you have a suggestion for serving size? I definitely overeat this dish. Thank you!

    1. Hi Jenn! We’re so happy you and your family love this recipeโ€”it’s a family favorite in our houses, too! Since the serving size depends on a lot of variables, including what you’re serving it with, we’ve found that this recipe will make between 4 and 6 servings. I hope this helps!