This Vegan Cauliflower Chickpea Curry is a creamy, spicy, and delicious one-pot meal packed with high-protein chickpeas and tender cauliflower.
Hearty, flavorful, and easy to make, it's a satisfying vegan dinner or lunch that's perfect for busy weeknights and anyone craving a comforting plant-based meal.

These rainy autumn days, I love cooking comfort food that warms me up, and this cauliflower chickpea curry checks all the boxes for what a satisfying lunch or dinner should be.
It's everything I want in a comforting meal: bursting with aromatic spices, rich in plant-based protein, and wonderfully simple to prepare. The cauliflower turns beautifully tender as it absorbs the fragrant coconut-tomato-infused sauce, while the chickpeas bring a lovely creamy texture and a satisfying bite.
I love serving it with my homemade unleavened bread and a crisp green vegetable salad to balance all those warming flavors. It's also a fantastic make-ahead meal, as the flavors develop overnight and the leftovers taste even better the next day.
Love a good curry? Don't miss my red lentil and chickpea curry, creamy curry with peas, and lentil coconut curry.

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🧅Ingredients

- Chickpeas: I used canned for convenience, but you can also cook your own.
- Cauliflower: Cut into bite-sized florets for even cooking.
- Canned coconut milk: Adds a rich, creamy texture; full-fat works best.
- Canned diced tomatoes: Add a tangy touch to balance the creaminess.
- Onion & garlic: Create a flavorful, savory base.
- Vegetable oil: I used olive oil, but any cooking oil works.
- Vegetable broth: Adds flavor and helps create the curry sauce.
- Spices & seasoning: Curry powder, ground cumin, ginger powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper bring warmth, depth, and a little heat.
As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.
🍲How To Make Cauliflower Chickpea Curry

- Sauté the onion: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.

- Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic, curry powder, ground cumin, ginger powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

- Combine: Pour in the coconut milk, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Add the cauliflower florets and cooked chickpeas. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.

- Simmer and serve: Simmer partially covered for 15-18 minutes, or until the cauliflower is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired, and serve warm with your favorite bread or rice.
📋Variations
- Add more vegetables: Stir in spinach, green peas, carrots, or bell peppers for extra color and variety.
- Make it spicier: Add extra chili powder, red pepper flakes, or fresh chopped chili.
- Add more protein: Stir in some baked tofu or extra chickpeas.

💡Marinela's Tips
- Cut cauliflower evenly: Keep the florets similar in size so they cook evenly without becoming mushy.
- Avoid overcooking: Check the cauliflower with a fork after 15 minutes. It should be tender but still hold its shape.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Yes! Frozen cauliflower works well in this curry. Add it directly to the pot without thawing, and adjust the cooking time until tender.
Yes! You can substitute coconut milk with unsweetened plant-based cooking cream or cashew cream for a similarly creamy texture.
Let the curry cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of vegetable broth or water if needed.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
Equipment
- 1 Cooking pot
Ingredients
- 1 + ½ cup cooked chickpeas drained, and rinsed
- 4 cups cauliflower florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- 13.5 oz (400 ml) full-fat coconut milk
- 14 oz ( 400 gr) diced tomatoes
- 1 medium-sized onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½-¾ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium-sized onion
- Stir in the minced garlic, curry powder, ground cumin, ginger powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until aromatic.3 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ginger powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pour in the coconut milk, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and salt. Add the cauliflower florets and cooked chickpeas. Stir well and bring to a boil.1 + ½ cup cooked chickpeas, 4 cups cauliflower florets, 13.5 oz (400 ml) full-fat coconut milk, 14 oz ( 400 gr) diced tomatoes, 1 cup vegetable broth, ½-¾ teaspoon sea salt
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer partially covered for 15-18 minutes, or until the cauliflower is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired, and serve warm with your favorite bread or rice.
Notes
- Cauliflower: Cut into evenly sized florets so they cook at the same rate.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Nutrition
🍽Serving Sugesstions
- Red lentil and chickpea bread
- Soy-free tofu
- Buckwheat groats bread
- Beet and broccoli salad
- Rustic wheat bread
- Cucumber beetroot salad
🥘More Vegan Dinner Recipes
- Potatoes, peas and carrots stew
- Creamy marry me chickpeas
- Chickpea protein pasta
- Red lentil rice soup
If you try this cauliflower chickpea curry, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag a photo @go_eatgreen on Instagram.
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