Based upon the Indian chickpea curry, chana masala, this easy and delicious vegan chickpea tomato curry is on the table in under 30 minutes! Made from mostly store cupboard ingredients, it is a simple recipe that is perfect for meal prepping or freezing for busy weeknights.
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Chickpeas are one of my favourite ingredients. They are so versatile and can be used in many recipes; from chickpea salad to chickpea tagine, Spanish stew and of course, chickpea curries.
Why we love this curry recipe
- Like my easy mushroom curry, mushroom bhaji, this curry is dairy free, gluten free and vegan.
- Made from store cupbard ingredients.
- Healthy – packed with vegetables and protein rich chickpeas, and made with a small amount of oil, this is a healthy curry.
- Quick – ready in 30 minutes.
- Great recipe for batch cooking – I often make it at the weekend and reheat for dinner on Monday or Tuesday, or freeze it for later in the week.
Notes about Curry Ingredients
- Chickpeas – this recipe uses tinned/canned chickpeas to make it a quick and easy meal. You can cook your own chickpeas from dried if you prefer, then add them to the curry at the end to heat through.
- Onion – I have used both red onions and brown onions in this recipe and they both work well.
- Tinned tomatoes – use chopped tomatoes, or plum tomatoes mashed with a spoon once they’re in the saucepan.
- Spices – cumin seeds, ground cumin, ground turmeric, ground coriander, a pinch of chilli powder, garam masala.
- Fresh Ginger – If you don’t have fresh ginger to hand, then use either minced ginger in a jar or a pinch of ground ginger.
- Spinach – if you don’t have fresh baby spinach, you can also use frozen spinach – add to the pan when you add the tomatoes.
How to make this chickpea curry
For full recipe please see recipe card below
- Fry the onion in the olive oil until soft.
- Add the garlic and ginger and cook before adding the cumin seeds.
- Stir in the ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander and chilli powder.
- Add the tomatoes and simmer.
- It should be nice and thick.
- Stir in the chickpeas, spinach and garam masala and season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this curry keep in the fridge?
Up to 3 days, in a covered container.
Can chickpea curry be frozen?
Yes it can! You can freeze the curry for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan over a medium heat, until heated through.
Can I use tinned lentils or butter beans instead of chickpeas?
Yes you can. Add the tinned lentils or beans to the curry at the end, and heat through for 5 minutes, or until heated through thoroughly.
My recipe tips
- If you want to bulk out the curry a little more, then add some broccoli or cauliflower florets. Add them to the curry just before the chickpeas. Or add some frozen peas with the chickpeas.
- This recipe is for a mild curry, intended to be enjoyed by toddlers and kids. If you want some more heat, then add a pinch more chilli powder.
- Add a little fresh lemon juice at the end, and/or sprinkle over some fresh coriander.
What to serve with this Indian chickpea curry
- Boiled Rice
- Homemade chapatis
- Naan bread
- Chutney
- A spoonful of yogurt – dairy free or regular.
Storage/Making Ahead
- Fridge – It will keep in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days
- Freezer – Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan over a medium heat, until heated through.
More vegan curry recipes for you
These curries are all lightly spiced rather than hot and spicy, making them suitable for younger family memebers
This recipe was originally published February 2020. It has been updated with new images and wording. The recipe remains the same.
Easy Chickpea Tomato Curry (Chana Masala)
Author: Robyn
This easy Indian chickpea and tomato curry is on the table in 30 minutes. Made from mostly store cupboard ingredients, it is a simple recipe loved by the family, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as vegetable oil ($0.08 / £0.03p)
- 1 brown onion, diced ($0.45 / £0.10p)
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed ($0.26 / £0.05p)
- 1.5cm (½ inch) fresh ginger, finely grated ($0.15 / £0.03)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds ($0.20 / £0.05p)
- ½ -1 teaspoon ground turmeric ($0.08 / £0.03p)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin ($0.10 / £0.04p)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander ($0.14 / £0.05p)
- Pinch chilli powder ($ 0.02/ £0.01p )
- 400g (14 oz) tinned / canned tomatoes ($0.75 / £0.28p)
- 840g (28oz) tinned / canned chickpeas ($1.60 / £0.74p)
- Pinch salt ($0.01 / £0.01 )
- A large handful of baby spinach ($1.50 / £0.50p)
- 1 teaspoon Garam masala ($0.12 / £0.02p)
- Fresh lemon juice, optional ($0.68 / £0.30p)
- Fresh coriander, to serve, optional ($1.10 / £0.30p)
Instructions
- Fry the onion in the olive oil over a low heat for 5-10 minutes until soft.
- Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute, before adding the cumin seeds.
- Cook for another minute, then stir in the ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander and chilli powder.
- Add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 mins.
- Stir in the 2 tins of chickpeas, spinach and garam masala and season.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, until the chickpeas are heated through and the spinach has wilted.
- To serve, squeeze over a little fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh coriander, both optional.
Notes
Estimated costs:
Australia $7.24. Per serve = $1.81
UK £2.54. Per serve = 64p
America – I am yet to calculate the costs, but if you would find this useful please let me know and I’ll get adding up 🙂
Chickpeas – this recipe uses tinned/canned chickpeas to make it a quick and easy meal. You can cook your own chickpeas from dried if you prefer, then add them to the curry at the end.
Onion – red onions or brown onions both work in this recipe.
Tinned/canned tomatoes – use chopped tomatoes, or plum tomatoes mashed with a spoon once they’re in the saucepan.
Ginger – If you don’t have fresh ginger to hand, then use a teaspoon of minced ginger in a jar, or a pinch of ground ginger.
Spinach – If you don’t have fresh baby spinach to hand or want a cheaper alternative, you can use frozen spinach – add it to the pan when you add the tomatoes.
If you want to add extra vegetables to the curry: broccoli or cauliflower florets work well – add them to the curry just before the chickpeas. Or add some frozen peas with the chickpeas.
This recipe is for a mild curry, suitable for kids and toddlers. If you want some more heat, add a pinch more chilli powder.
An optional extra touch at the end: add a little fresh lemon juice at the end, and/or sprinkle over some fresh coriander.
Nutrition
Calories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 12gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 148mgPotassium: 702mgFiber: 11gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 957IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 5mg
HAVE YOU MADE THIS RECIPE?
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Debra says
I had some gorgeous home grown tomatoes, and left over canned chickpeas, so I made this last night. I used some kale I had too instead of spinach. I used two largish fresh tomatoes and one can of chickpeas and the full amount of spices (perhaps even a bit more). I added two fresh jalapenos from my garden as well. It was excellent! I will definitely make this again!
Robyn says
Great to hear you enjoyed the curry Debra, love that you were able to make it with homegrown tomatoes 🙂