This comforting curry is inspired by our DIY green curry paste, which is a fusion of classic Thai green curry paste with flavors like lemongrass, garlic, and citrus, as well as whole spices like coriander and cumin seed.
I dreamt up this dish after making a dressing with this beloved green curry paste and pouring it over fresh kale, Instant Pot chickpeas, and perfect roasted potatoes. While delicious, I knew it would be next level if cooked and married with coconut milk. The result was incredibly delicious. Let us show you how this 1-pot dish is made!
About Green Curry Paste
Thai green curry paste is traditionally made from a combination of green chilies, shrimp paste, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, peppercorns, makrut limes, and cumin seeds (source). It’s spicy and flavorful and pairs perfectly with the sweetness of coconut milk.
Our DIY green curry paste strays a bit from the traditional, with the addition of green bell pepper and whole spices, as well as the omission of shrimp paste and adding coconut aminos.
The result is an incredibly vibrant, citrusy, savory, slightly sweet curry paste that’s perfect for infusing into all kinds of dishes, from stews to dips to salad dressings!
Although it’s not necessary to make your own curry paste, it’s usually far fresher and is easily frozen into ice cube molds for convenient use for quick, weeknight meals. However, store-bought works here, too!
Another thing we love about this curry is its versatility!
It’s great for using up leftover veggies as the sweet potato can easily be subbed for other veggies such as gold potatoes (or even butternut squash). And the kale can be swapped for other sturdy greens such as collard greens. We also think bell peppers, green peas, snap peas, cauliflower, or broccoli would work well.
We hope you LOVE this green curry! It’s:
Creamy
Coconutty
Vibrant
Citrusy
Satisfying
Comforting
Delicious
& Versatile
It’s perfect for weeknight meals, meal prep, and beyond! Serve on its own or for a more filling meal, pair with rice, quinoa, steamed vegetables, or greens.
More Thai-Inspired Recipes
- 1-Pot Vegetable Green Curry
- Peanut & Lemongrass Tempeh Satay
- Easy 1-Pot Massaman Curry
- Glass Noodle Stir-Fry by Hot Thai Kitchen
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
1-Pot Green Curry with Chickpeas, Kale, and Sweet Potato
Ingredients
CURRY
- 1/4 cup water (or sub small amount of oil)
- 2/3 cup diced or thinly sliced shallot or onion
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4-6 Tbsp green curry paste (if using store-bought, start with lesser amount as it’s saltier // our recipe is less potent, so I usually add more)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 Tbsp coconut aminos, DIVIDED, plus more to taste (or sub sea salt to taste)
- 1 tsp curry powder* (or store-bought)
- 1 14-oz can light coconut milk
- 1/2 cup water or vegetable broth (vegetable broth will add more flavor, so go easy with additional salt)
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (~1 ½ cups drained chickpeas, as original recipe is written)
- 1 tsp maple syrup or coconut sugar (optional // omit for less sugar)
- 3 cups chopped kale or other sturdy green (such as collard greens)
FOR SERVING optional
- Cilantro
- Lemon or lime wedges
- Roasted cashews, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add water, shallot or onion, and ginger. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and onion is translucent.
- Add garlic and sauté for a few minutes more. Then add curry paste (starting with the smallest suggested amount and adding more later if needed) and stir. Cook for 2 minutes more.
- Add sweet potatoes, half of the coconut aminos, and curry powder and stir to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes to infuse the curry paste and powder into the potatoes. Then add coconut milk, water or vegetable broth, the remaining half of the coconut aminos, and stir. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Once simmering, add the chickpeas and slightly reduce heat. You want a simmer, not a boil, which should be around low to medium-low heat.
- Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep at a simmer — lower the heat if boiling.
- At this time, taste and adjust the flavor of the broth as needed, adding maple syrup or coconut sugar for sweetness (optional), coconut aminos for saltiness / depth of flavor, curry powder for spice and depth of flavor, or curry paste for more bright, citrus notes (this paste tends to lighten flavors with its acidic notes). Don't be shy with seasonings — this curry should be very flavorful.
- Once the broth is to your liking, add greens of choice, stir, and cover. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until greens are vibrant in color and just wilted. Turn off heat and let the curry rest uncovered for a few minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop. Add additional coconut milk if it needs more moisture.
Video
Notes
*Curry powder is not a common ingredient used in traditional Indian cooking, but rather an invention of the British to evoke the flavors of Indian cuisine. The term “curry” in Indian cooking refers to a sauce or gravy served with vegetables or meat. (source)
JoAnna says
Delicious! I used a whole jar of Thai Kitchen prepared green curry, as well as Spicewalla madras curry powder (1.5 tsp). I skipped the maple syrup because it had enough sweetness for my liking. Followed directions as written. Another easy and satisfying Minimalist Baker recipe!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, JoAnna! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Brianne says
Really tasty! I followed this very closely. I didn’t have coconut aminos but I did have vegan fish sauce, which gave it a really nice extra Thai flavor. I used the green Thai Kitchen curry paste (vegan, hot) and wound up using the entire jar (about 5-6 Tbps.). The heat built really nicely, but I like a lot of spice. I served it over white rice and it was great.
I also added some lime zest and extra lime juice over the kale before stirring it in.
Will definitely make again! Easy and made with things I usually have on hand. Can’t wait to bring leftovers for lunch.
Ooo, those modifications sound DELISH. Thanks for the great review, Brianne!
Nissa says
This was so easy and SO good. I used Jamaican curry paste (all I could find) and it was spicy but the sweet potatoes take down the spice. The dish came together quickly. I was looking for a way to use some older sweet potatoes and didn’t want to throw them out. This recipe did the trick!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Nissa! Thank you for sharing! xo
Meredith says
I’m not vegan or vegeterian, and this was SO good. I served with jasmine rice to make a complete protein with the chickpeas. I also used homemade broth and green curry paste (MB recipe). Would definitely make again.
Amazing! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Meredith! Thank you for sharing! xo
Cami says
Hello! I’m hoping to get some troubleshooting advice. I’ve made this twice now, and both times the broth tastes extremely flavorful, but when I put it over rice it doesn’t hold up at all. It tastes kind of bland? Have you had this issue? If so, do you have any recommendations of how I could alter it? It’s hard to troubleshoot when it tastes so strong plain.
Thanks!
Hi Cami, we’re wondering if maybe it just needs a bit more coconut aminos or salt to elevate all the flavors. You could try sampling a bite over rice and adjust from there. Hope that helps!
Simone says
Easy and delicious- the whole family enjoyed!
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing, Simone!
Nicole says
Loved this! I only had spinach for greens so I just stirred them in at the end as I was turning off the heat. I also don’t have coconut aminos and used tamari instead, and it turned out really well with a little maple syrup at the end.
Great idea! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the lovely review, Nicole! xo
Sheila says
Can one sub red curry paste for green? I have this in my fridge
Definitely!
Varun says
Hi! I have two fish eaters in the family! Can I save some curry to add to baked fish as is? Or is it better to follow your 1pot green curry recipe for that. I love this recipe….so trying to make one and split for veg and non veg!
Also, where can I buy coconut aminos?
Thank you! Have a lovely weekend!
Hi Varun, that would work well! Coconut aminos is typically in the international foods section at health food stores. Trader Joe’s also carries it.
Heather Kristensen says
This was delicious! It reminded me of my travels in Thailand. Unfortunately, even though I cut down on the curry, it was too spicy for my husband and kids. Fortunately, that meant leftovers for me!
We’re glad you enjoyed it, Heather! Thanks for sharing! For a less spicy curry, we’d suggest trying another brand of green curry paste and/or our DIY version (which you can modify based on preference for heat).
Cecile says
I LOVE this recipe. Think I could use Butternut Squash instead of sweet potato? I want to make this again but have a guest who doesn’t like sweet potatoes
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Cecile! Butternut squash should work well.
Nikia Marie says
This was a lovely dish! I used a store-bought vegan green curry, but otherwise followed the recipe completely. I paired this with jasmine rice and store-bought garlic naan, and it was definitely a hit. The only thing I will do differently next time is let the kale cook for longer. I would prefer a softer texture.
I scaled it up to 6 servings since I was making it for six adults and two kids, but even with two helpings per adult, there was still tons left over, so I think I could’ve gotten away with 4 servings and been fine.
Thank you for the wonderful addition to my dinner repertoire!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Nikia. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Payton says
Wow! What a fantastic taste to the broth in this recipe. The whole family loved it.
To stretch it to larger portions, I used: a whole bundle of Dino kale, 2 more sweet potatoes, a whole yellow onion, doubled the aminos, and added 2 cans of Costco white meat chicken. I also added 2 tsp. of Umami seasoning and 4 Tbs of Kerrygold butter. (We liked 4 TBS of store bought green curry paste with 1 tsp. dry curry powder.)
The chopped cashews on the top were the perfect complement. Everyone said it was the best new recipe of December. Thank you so much!
We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed it, Payton. Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Jessi says
This is so easy and so delicious. I love flavor, so did the max amount of curry paste.
Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Jessi!!
JoAnna says
This was delicious! Served it over a small scoop of brown basmati rice. I used a jarred green curry paste from Whole Foods -4tbsp- and it was a smidge too spicy. I’ll make this again for sure, and adjust the green curry paste.
Thanks for sharing, JoAnna! We’d suggest our DIY green curry paste for being able to modify the heat level without compromising flavor.
Rowena says
Hi! Am a huge fan of your recipies and with most tend to chuck it all in thr slow cooker. Would this one work too? I haven’t seen coconut amios in UK stores.
Yes, I think so! Coconut aminos is like a less salty, slightly sweet version of tamari or soy sauce. SO feel free to sub tamari or soy sauce but use WAY less as it’s far more potent.
Ellen says
This was perfect for a weirdly early snow here in Lawrence, KS! Warming and perfectly spicy. I used full fat coconut milk because that’s my jam, and skipped the sweetener. A squeeze of lime is a must.
Crazy it’s already snowing there! I love Lawrence! So glad you enjoyed this, Ellen!
Britta says
Absolutely loved this. So tasty. I ended up using mild red curry instead of green curry, because it’s what I had on hand, and it was excellent. Looking forward to trying the recipe as written with green curry in the future!
Yay! Thanks for the lovely review, Britta!
Lili says
I didn’t have time to make the curry paste but I utilized one red one that already had and it turned out super delicious!!
Smart! Thanks for sharing, Lili! xo
Barbara says
Absolutely delicious! I used collard greens and let them cook a little longer to be sure they were soft. We loved it!
We’re so glad it turned out well! Thanks for sharing, Barbara! xo
Elizabeth says
This is one of the best curry recipes I have made! and my husband loved it too and says it should go into the rotation. So simple, so delicious!
Whoop! We’re so glad you both enjoyed it, Elizabeth! Thanks so much for sharing!
Angela says
I made the green curry, chickpea, kale, sweet potato pot recipe and I loved it! I’m giving it five stars! The flavour quality of the green curry paste is the most important and the combination of vegetables go together really well and have high nutritional value. I also made it with pumpkin and baby spinach instead of the sweet potato and kale and it turned out great. I served it over cauliflower rice and quinoa. Thanks for this recipe!!!!❤️
Love this! Thanks for sharing, Angela!
Diana says
What would you suggest as a side dish besides a green salad?
Hi Diane, it would go well with rice, quinoa, and/or steamed vegetables. Or for something more special, these would be delicious: https://minimalistbaker.com/crispy-shallot-spring-rolls-with-seared-tofu/
Shae says
I was looking for something new to make the other night and came across this recipe. HOLY MOLY!!!! This blew my boyfriend and I away! It was really easy to make and didn’t take long at all- the perfect recipe for me. The flavor combinations are so good! I highly recommend this to everyone!
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Shae!
Anna says
This is great! It was a bit labor intensive to make the curry paste, but I froze 2/3 of it and look forward to using it as a base for easy, nourishing meals later. The DIY curry paste really is fresh and flavorful, a step above any store bought. The dish itself, I only had 1 sweet potato so I added 8oz of sliced white button mushrooms and some extra chickpeas.
The curry paste is delicious – I agree! Glad you enjoyed it, Anna!
Kit says
great recipe! i loved making the curry paste myself too :) my potatoes took longer than the recipe suggested – probably 30/40 min just for the potatoes to soften. next time i’ll par-boil the potatoes, but will be cooking this again soon!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing. You can also cube the potatoes in smaller pieces next time and cover the pot while it’s cooking to speed their cook time.
Stephanie says
Delicious! I used jar green curry paste, butternut squash and carrots instead of sweet potato, added chicken and a diced jalapeño… but you know what? That’s what I love about these recipes… easy to follow and modify!
Thanks, Stephanie!
Mary says
Only have reg coconut milk not low fat
Will it still work?
Yes! It will be richer. Let us know how it goes.
Mary says
Made it for Church Small Group and all who tried it loved it. Those who love this type of cooking, cleaned out the bowl. Awesome recipe! Next time I will make it more spicy for myself… maybe add a few dried chili peppers. Will warm up a cold winter Northern MI day.
I love your recipes/website, Thank you!
Aw, thanks so much for sharing Mary! We’re so glad you enjoy our recipes! xo
Dan says
Hi! This looks great and can’t wait to make it tomorrow. Do you have any idea or suggestion on how I’d do this in the instant pot by any chance? Thank you!
I think you could sauté the first few ingredients as noted (in the instant pot), then add the green curry paste through the maple syrup or coconut sugar (leave the kale out) and pressure cook on high for 10-12 minutes. Natural release for 5 minutes, then stir in the kale, close the lid to steam for a few minutes and enjoy. Let us know how it goes if you try it! We haven’t tested it this way but having used the Instant Pot a lot, this seems like the best approach!
Angelika says
Wow , this was just so fabulous, so fresh, and full of flavour. Great hit, and will definitely make again. Made it together with the green curry paste also from this site. Just gorgeous!
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Angelika!
Diana says
You really are an amazing chef/cook. I love your recipes especially the vegan, and I am not a Vegan. I have used several of your chickpea recipes now…love them.
Thanks, Diana! So glad you enjoyed these.
Cecile says
Made this tonight with some quinoa and it was perfect! Didn’t make any changes to the recipe and everyone loved it! Thank you! Yum :)
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Cecile!
Cecile says
Looking forward to trying this recipe tonight. Is it very spicy? We made your curried butternut squash soup and found it SO spicy so want to adjust spice level as needed. Thanks!!
It really depends on which curry paste you use. Give it a taste before adding and maybe start with less if you’re heat sensitive. Then add more later if you can handle it!
Morgan M. says
This turned out so tasty! We used spinach as our “green” since it is what we had on hand. Served it over brown rice – so so good. Can’t wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow 😂
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Morgan! Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Kadhambari says
I love your glass measuring cups but couldn’t find it in your shop – where did you get them?
Hi Kadhambari, if you’re referring to the small glass holding the coconut milk, that’s a small weck jar. Or perhaps you mean the measuring glass in the video- we can’t remember where that’s from, but it was somewhere online.
Stephanie says
I’d like to make this and have all ingredients on hand except the curry paste! Is there something else I could use instead? I get that it’s a key ingredient but was hoping I could sub another spice to avoid going to the store. I do have regular curry powder
This will create a different kind of curry altogether, but yes you could just sub curry powder (I like our DIY one for best flavor) when adding the curry paste. Start with 1 Tbsp and work your way up as needed. Let us know if you try!
Paul says
Can you suggest any substitute for coconut milk. Coconut milk is high in saturated fat, which I need to avoid.
Thanks
How about rice milk? It won’t be as creamy but still tasty? That or a bit of cashew milk.
Paul says
Thanks
Made the recipe with rice milk worked out well, very tasty dish. Definitely one the make again and again. Will try rice milk on some of my favourite Thai dishes (which have been off limits).
Some background on the avoidance of saturated fat.
Know you’re super busy but a read of Dr Esselstyn’s book Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease will provide a foundational understanding of saturated fat and heart disease. It is an easy read and will perhaps bring a new perspective to a little of your recipe research and formulation. Just a suggestion, keep up your great work. Heartfelt thanks. :)
Thanks for sharing, Paul! Glad you enjoyed this one.
Danny says
I’m in the same boat – for some of those recipes I just use evaporated milk (if not trying to eat vegan) and it works perfectly! Just stir it in at the end to make sure it doesn’t curdle
Halle says
I came with the same question. I think I’ll use lowfat yogurt instead.