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Chickpea and spinach curry

A speedy store-cupboard curry of chickpeas and spinach in a spiced tomato and coconut sauce. Vegan and ready in 25 minutes.

Chickpea and spinach curry with tomatoes and fresh coriander, served beside a mound of grains on a white plate
Photo: Kari Sullivan from Austin, TX, CC BY 2.0 · All photo credits
Prep
10 mins
Cook
20 mins
Total
30 mins
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget

Recipe: Chickpea and spinach curry

Ingredients

For the curry

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 can chopped tomatoes, 400g
  • 2 cans chickpeas, 400g each, drained and rinsed
  • 200ml coconut milk, half a 400ml can, or use the full can for a creamier curry
  • 200g baby spinach
  • salt and lemon juice, to taste

Kitchen kit

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Method

  1. Step 1: Cook the base

    Heat the oil and fry the cumin seeds for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the onion and cook for 8 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute, then the ground spices (except the garam masala) for 1 minute.

  2. Step 2: Simmer

    Add the tomatoes, chickpeas and coconut milk. Simmer for 10 minutes, lightly crushing a few chickpeas to thicken the sauce.

  3. Step 3: Add the spinach

    Stir in the spinach a handful at a time until wilted. Add the garam masala, season with salt and a squeeze of lemon and serve with rice or flatbreads.

Tips

  • Freeze the leftover coconut milk in an ice-cube tray for next time.
  • For a gluten-free curry, use garam masala labelled gluten-free (some blends contain wheat flour).

Storing & reheating

Cool, cover and refrigerate within 2 hours; eat within 2 days; reheat once until steaming hot.

Freezing

Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot.

Variations

  • Add diced sweet potato with the tomatoes and simmer for 20 minutes.

Allergies: Always check the labels of the ingredients you buy for allergens — our dietary tags are a guide, not a guarantee.

Questions people ask

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes, use 250g frozen spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry.

Sources & inspiration

Checked 17 October 2026. Written in our own words; we checked proportions, technique and food safety against:

Find more: More chickpeas recipes Midweek meals Quick Meat free monday budget quick store cupboard

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