Veggie Coconut Curry

Featured in: Garden Comfort Meals

This dish melds a mix of frozen vegetables with rich coconut milk and warm spices to create a flavorful Indian-inspired curry. The preparation is simple and quick, starting with sautéed onions, garlic, and ginger, followed by toasting fragrant spices. The vegetables simmer gently in the curry sauce, absorbing the creamy and aromatic flavors. Finished with fresh cilantro and lime juice, this vibrant dish pairs beautifully with rice or naan for a wholesome meal.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:08:00 GMT
A warm bowl of Veggie Coconut Curry, rich with color and floating vegetables. Save
A warm bowl of Veggie Coconut Curry, rich with color and floating vegetables. | basilhearth.com

A vibrant, budget-friendly plant-based curry featuring colorful frozen vegetables simmered in creamy coconut milk and aromatic spices.

This veggie coconut curry was the first plant-based meal I cooked for my friends when experimenting with vegan recipes. Everyone loved its rich flavor and cheerful colors.

Ingredients

  • Mixed frozen vegetables: 500 g (about 4 cups) (carrots, peas, green beans, corn, cauliflower, broccoli)
  • Onion: 1 medium, diced
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Fresh ginger: 1 tablespoon, grated
  • Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Coconut milk: 400 ml (1 can, full-fat preferred)
  • Canned diced tomatoes: 200 g (about 1 cup)
  • Water: 120 ml (½ cup)
  • Curry powder: 1 tablespoon
  • Ground cumin: 1 teaspoon
  • Ground coriander: 1 teaspoon
  • Turmeric: ½ teaspoon
  • Chili flakes: ½ teaspoon (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper: to taste
  • Fresh cilantro: 2 tablespoons, chopped
  • Lime juice: 1 tablespoon
  • Cooked rice or naan: for serving (optional)

Instructions

Sauté aromatics:
Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Add garlic and ginger:
Add garlic and ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Toast spices:
Stir in curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
Add vegetables and tomatoes:
Add frozen vegetables and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.
Add liquids and season:
Pour in coconut milk and water. Season with salt and black pepper.
Simmer curry:
Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and curry has thickened.
Finish and serve:
Stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro, alongside rice or naan if desired.
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This curry is now a staple at our family dinners, and everyone looks forward to its fragrant aroma wafting through the kitchen.

Required Tools

Large saucepan, chefs knife, cutting board, wooden spoon, measuring cups and spoons.

Allergen Information

The recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free. Ensure ingredients like curry powder are certified gluten-free if needed.

Nutritional Information

Each serving provides 295 calories, 16 g fat, 32 g carbohydrates, and 6 g protein.

Steam rises from a serving of Veggie Coconut Curry, a vegan Indian-inspired dish. Save
Steam rises from a serving of Veggie Coconut Curry, a vegan Indian-inspired dish. | basilhearth.com

This curry comes together quickly and makes excellent leftovers for lunch the next day.

Recipe FAQs

What vegetables work best in this curry?

Frozen blends with carrots, peas, green beans, corn, cauliflower, and broccoli provide vibrant color and texture. Bell peppers or spinach can also be added for variation.

Can I adjust the spice level?

Yes, increase chili flakes or add diced fresh chili to intensify the heat according to your preference.

Is there a way to add protein to this dish?

Adding canned chickpeas or firm tofu cubes when cooking the vegetables boosts protein content without altering the flavor significantly.

What can I use to finish and garnish the curry?

Freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice brighten the dish and enhance freshness at the end of cooking.

What cooking tools are recommended?

A large saucepan or deep skillet is ideal, along with a chef’s knife, cutting board, wooden spoon, and measuring cups and spoons.

How long does it take to prepare and cook?

Preparation takes about 10 minutes, with around 25 minutes of cooking time, resulting in a total of approximately 35 minutes.

Veggie Coconut Curry

Colorful vegetables simmered in creamy coconut milk and spices for a vibrant dish.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Time to Cook
25 minutes
Total Duration
35 minutes
Recipe by Laura Bennett

Recipe Type Garden Comfort Meals

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Indian-Inspired

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary Details Plant-Based, No Dairy, Without Gluten

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 4 cups mixed frozen vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans, corn, cauliflower, broccoli)
02 1 medium onion, diced
03 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

Curry Base

01 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
02 1 can (13.5 fl oz) full-fat coconut milk
03 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
04 ½ cup water

Spices

01 1 tablespoon curry powder
02 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 1 teaspoon ground coriander
04 ½ teaspoon turmeric
05 ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
06 Salt and black pepper to taste

Finish & Garnish

01 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
02 1 tablespoon lime juice
03 Cooked rice or naan, for serving (optional)

How To Make It

Step 01

Sauté aromatics: Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 02

Add garlic and ginger: Incorporate minced garlic and grated ginger; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 03

Toast spices: Stir in curry powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, and optional chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute to release aromas.

Step 04

Combine vegetables and tomatoes: Add frozen mixed vegetables and canned diced tomatoes. Stir well to integrate ingredients.

Step 05

Add liquids and season: Pour in coconut milk and water. Season with salt and black pepper according to taste.

Step 06

Simmer curry: Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens.

Step 07

Finish with lime juice and garnish: Stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro, alongside rice or naan as desired.

Tools Needed

  • Large saucepan or deep skillet
  • Chef's knife and cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Warnings

Review every ingredient for allergens and reach out to a medical expert if you're uncertain.
  • Contains coconut
  • Gluten-free; verify packaged spices for cross-contamination

Nutrition information (serving size)

These nutritional details are for reference. They're not meant as medical guidance.
  • Caloric Value: 295
  • Fat content: 16 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 32 grams
  • Protein Amount: 6 grams