Vegan Chickpea Curry with Spinach

Vegan Chickpea Curry is packed with chickpeas, tomatoes, spinach, onions, and spiced with curry powder. Gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy, and delicious!

One of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to put more vegetarian and vegan meals on the table. My body feels better the more vegetable-forward dishes I eat, and reducing meat consumption is one small thing I can do to help the environment. Curry powders and pastes are one of my favorite tricks for adding so much flavor to a vegetable dish that you won’t miss the meat or dairy. This Vegan Chickpea Curry is a perfect example because it checks all the boxes: savory, warming, spicy, and filling. It’s a perfect meal for a chilly day in January, though I happily eat this throughout the year when I’m craving a big helping of nourishing veggies. 

The prep time for this chickpea curry recipe is fairly short—just a bit of chopping involved. Then you sauté onion slices followed by garlic, ginger, and curry powder. Once you add chickpeas, tomatoes, and vegetable broth, the rest of the cook time is pretty hands off. In fact, you don’t have to simmer this dish as long as I do in this recipe, as all of the ingredients are pre-cooked. But gentle simmering for 20 minutes will allow the ingredients to meld together and some of the extra liquid to boil off, adding flavor. Spinach wilts in at the end, and you have a delicious healthy meal which is also a great candidate for meal prep. Make a batch on the weekend, and eat it for lunch or dinner that week. See below for ideas. 

What kind of curry powder should I use? What can I substitute for curry powder?

A good curry powder is the key to this dish. Make sure your curry powder is not too old (all spices now have "best by" labels on them), because the flavor will really dissipate as time goes by. I love this curry powder from Penzey’s though there are lots of varieties to choose from. My curry powder has a pretty big kick when you use a full tablespoon, as I call for in this recipe. However, if your curry powder is not particularly spicy, you can always add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper to this dish. Also, if you do not have pre-made curry powder, you can create your own using a blend of garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, and a touch of cinnamon.

How do I make Vegan Chickpea Curry with Spinach?

Drain 2 cans of chickpeas in colander and rinse well. Heat 1.5 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Sauté slices from ½ red onion for 5 minutes, until softened.

Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of minced or grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon of curry powder, and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.

Add chickpeas and 1 can of whole peeled tomatoes, breaking up tomatoes into small chunks with your spoon or spatula. Now add 1 cup vegetable broth and bring to a low boil.

Turn down heat on the stove until the curry is simmering gently. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until much of the liquid has evaporated. Taste, and add salt. (Because chickpeas, tomatoes, and vegetable broth can vary significantly in their sodium content, it’s best to taste your curry and add the amount of salt that your dish needs—if any.) Now stir in 4 cups of chopped spinach and cook for another 5 minutes. Note that if your tomatoes are particularly acidic, you can add a bit of brown sugar to balance the flavors and add a touch of sweetness. 

What should I serve with this chickpea curry? 

You can serve this dish with basmati rice, brown rice, naan, or cauliflower rice. You can also eat it just in a bowl by itself as a chunky stew. If I’m going for a vegetarian but not vegan vibe, I’ll serve it with buttered toast and a fried egg on top. Mmmmm.

How long does this Vegan Chickpea Curry last in the fridge?

Because this chickpea curry is vegan, there are no ingredients in it that will go bad quickly. You can store this in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. After that, I'd recommend freezing it (see below).  

Chickpeas vs garbanzo beans: what’s the difference?

Trick question! Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are terms often used interchangeably for the same legume, though garbanzo beans actually refers to a particular type of chickpea. Chickpeas are one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the world. In the Middle East, archeologists have found remains of chickpea cultivation dating back 7500 years!

You can use chickpeas in all sorts of dishes including hummus, falafel, and chana masala. They are a staple of Middle East and Indian cuisine, and are featured in many different soups, salads, pasta, and curry dishes. Spice and roast chickpeas for a tasty and healthy snack. You can buy chickpeas dried or already cooked. If you buy dried chickpeas, you will need to boil and then simmer them for 1-2 hours until tender. Cook time can be shortened by soaking them overnight before using. Best of all, chickpeas are quite inexpensive and available in most grocery stores. 

Where do chickpeas come from?

There are several varieties of chickpeas that take slightly different forms. The variety known as garbanzo beans are light colored and larger than the smaller and darker desi chana, which are grown mostly in India. Mediterranean countries, Northern Africa, the Indian subcontinent, South America, and Southern Europe grow most of the world’s garbanzo beans, with India producing 67% in 2017. 

What are the nutritional benefits of chickpeas? 

Chickpeas are rich with vitamins and minerals, and are high in fiber and protein. They are relatively low in calories but contain folate, phosphorus, manganese, copper, and iron. Eating chickpeas can help with weight management, as the combination of protein and fiber slows digestion so you feel full for longer. In addition, the protein content can be extremely beneficial for vegetarians and vegans who aren’t getting protein from animal products. And, you can eat them in so many different ways. Try in this Spicy Harissa Hummus or this Creamy Roasted Garlic Hummus.

Can I freeze Vegan Chickpea Curry?

Yes, this is a great freezer-friendly meal. Seal your leftovers in a freezer-safe, airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove. 

Other Delicious Vegan Dishes

Looking for more? Main courses and salads include:

• Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
• Vegan Buddha Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing
• Red Lentil Bolognese
• Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
• Orzo Pasta Salad with Black Beans and Corn

Soups are one of my favorite plant-based meals. Check out my favorites:

• French Lentil Soup
• Vegan Potato Leek Soup

And for two delicious, warming, vegan drinks, don't miss my Turmeric Latte and my Oat Milk Hot Chocolate.