My favorite fall weeknight dinner is warm, comforting, and made in one pot! This Easy One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Curry is filled with cauliflower, chickpeas, and the most incredible blend of spices. Make it in less than 15 minutes and impress everyone at your table.
This is a weeknight wonder that couldn't be quicker or easier! I'm talking just 5 minutes of prep, 15-20 minutes of cook time, and one pot. It's a comforting, perfectly spiced fall dish that the whole family will love. Plus, the leftovers make for a delicious lunch the next day! As a bonus, this Vegan Pumpkin Curry also uses all pantry ingredients except for the cauliflower. I usually have these ingredients on hand and can put a batch together in minutes!
Homemade Pumpkin Puree
I highly recommend using my Homemade Pumpkin Puree for this recipe! It is so much creamier, thicker, smoother, and sweeter than canned pumpkin. You can absolutely taste the difference! My son David eats this homemade pumpkin puree with a spoon and then asks for more. We're huge fans! The pumpkin puree recipe has two ingredients (pumpkin and water) and is made in a pressure cooker. You can also make it in your oven.
Is Pumpkin Healthy?
Pumpkins offer so many disease-fighting nutrients and overall health benefits. They are packed with antioxidants known as carotenoids that can protect cells from free radical damage. They also have fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. You're even getting vitamins A, C, E and K. It's the perfect nutrient-rich base for this Vegan Pumpkin Curry!
Plant-Based Protein from Chickpeas
This One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Curry is full of plant-based protein! It all comes from chickpeas, aka garbanzo beans! Chickpeas are one of my favorite pantry staples. They are easy to work with, versatile, inexpensive and nutritious. Chickpeas contain plant-based protein, fiber, complex carbs, and folic acid. Plus, they are low in fat with no cholesterol.
For a complete guide on chickpeas, see my post on Chickpea Benefits for Vegans (+ Recipes).
Making Vegan Pumpkin Curry for Kids
This One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Curry is super mild and perfect for kids to enjoy. In fact, this is one of my family's favorite dinners! For a spicier curry flavor, I recommend doubling or even tripling the amount of red curry paste in this recipe (especially if you enjoy some heat).
More Pumpkin Recipes
Sweet & Salty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Muffins
Homemade Pumpkin Puree (oven method)
Homemade Pumpkin Puree (pressure cooker method)
@eatingbyelaine Cozy up with vegan pumpkin curry 🎃 #fallrecipes #curryrecipe #homemadecurry #pumpkinseason #pumpkinrecipes #cozyathome #easydinner #vegandinner #easyveganrecipe ♬ Still Don't Know My Name - Labrinth
Easy One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Curry
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Easy One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Curry is filled with cauliflower, chickpeas, and the most incredible blend of spices.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or avocado oil
- 1 shallot, diced
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½-inch grated fresh peeled ginger root
- 1 tablespoon red or yellow curry paste*
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets (or substitute pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and diced)
- 1, 15.5 oz. can garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained) or 1.5 cups cooked garbanzo beans
- 1.5 cups homemade pumpkin puree**
- 1, 13.5 oz. can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (optional for added sweetness)
- fresh cilantro for garnish, fresh lime juice from 1 juicy lime just before serving
Instructions
- Add oil and onions to a preheated dutch oven. Add salt and turmeric. Saute over medium heat until shallot is translucent and fragrant (about 5 minutes).
- Add garlic, ginger and curry paste and saute another minute.
- Add cauliflower and chickpeas and stir. Add pumpkin, coconut milk and maple syrup if using. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients. Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until cauliflower is fork tender.
- Serve in bowls alone or with coconut rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves if desired. Squeeze fresh lime juice overtop.
- Store leftovers once fully cooled to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to three months leaving 1-inch of space at the top of the container to allow for expansion.
Notes
*I like a mild version of this curry and typically use 1 tablespoon of yellow curry paste but for a spicier version you can use 2 tablespoons of curry paste. If you really love curry flavor and enjoy spicy food you can go up to 3 tablespoons if you like.
**You can substitute a 15 ounce can of pumpkin puree but I highly recommend using homemade pumpkin puree in this recipe. It makes a huge different in this dish. It will be sweeter, creamier and thicker with homemade pumpkin puree. You can make it in your Instant Pot or in your oven.
I love to serve this over coconut rice. To make coconut rice I rinse 1 cup of white basmati rice until the water runs clear. Then drain a bit and add to Instant Pot. Add 1 (13.5 ounce) can of full-fat coconut milk and ¼ teaspoon fine salt. Stir and cook on the rice setting. I typically let it sit sealed for an extra 20 minutes while I prepare the curry. Then, release any remaining pressure and fluff with a fork.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15-20
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: vegan pumpkin curry
Emma E. says
Making this now! Smells amazing. FYI - the turmeric and curry powder ingredients are not included in your instructions. We just added them towards the end during the simmering. I love your content! Thank you for sharing your authentic self!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you, Emma! Thank you for calling that out - I will fix it right now. I hope you enjoyed it! And so happy to hear you love the recipes here :). Best, Elaine
Brandilyn Haynes says
I was a bit nervous to make this because my husband isn't the biggest fan of curry dishes but we both LOVED it. The pumpkin and coconut milk are the perfect balance to the curry flavors, and it was the most delicious dinner with Elaine's coconut rice recipe.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Brandilyn! I am so happy to hear that even your non-curry-loving husband enjoyed this one! 🙂 Sounds like a big win!