Here’s a really terrific Coconut Curry Sauce with beautiful depth of flavour yet is made with everyday spices. It’s an Indian style sauce – outrageously addictive, and pairs beautifully with chicken, vegetables and legumes.
I’ve used made a Coconut Curry with pumpkin, lentils and cashews here, but see the recipe for the “formula” to use it for what you please! On the table in 30 minutes.
Easy Coconut Curry Sauce
If you’ve ever dumped curry powder into liquid then stomped your foot in a huff when you found the sauce to be meh, then this easy Coconut Curry Sauce is for you!
You’re going to absolutely love that you can find all the spices at supermarkets.
You’re going to adore the beautiful coconut flavour that mingles with the spices.
You’ll go bonkers over how it tastes like a full flavoured coconut Indian curry – except you made it in 30 minutes from scratch.
And you’re going to really enjoy lapping up all the compliments from your family and friends. (“OMG that’s the best curry I’ve ever had!!” <– True story, text from a friend)
Coconut curry sauce spices
The spices in the coconut curry sauce are:
-
curry powder
-
tumeric
-
coriander
-
cumin
-
paprika
-
garam masala*
Curry powder is the base for this Easy Coconut Curry, but it’s too bland if you don’t add other spices. I experimented with various combinations and tried to cut down on the number of spices but it just wasn’t the same. So they’re all staying in!
What is garam masala?
Garam masala is a crucial spice mix in Indian cooking and smells like a potent curry powder. It really makes a difference in simple curry sauces, so be sure not to skip it! Here in Australia, you’ll find it at all the major supermarkets nowadays, and it costs no more than other spices.
Making the coconut curry sauce
There’s nothing tricky about the coconut curry sauce:
-
Sauté onion, garlic and ginger (fresh please!);
-
Add Spices and cook – this brings out the flavour of the spices, making them bloom;
-
Add coconut milk, tomato passata (tomato puree in the States, or even Tomato Sauce) plus chicken or vegetable broth/stock;
-
Simmer to bring the flavours together
And there you have your curry sauce. And this is where you can unleash your wild side and let the creative juices flow. Or, as the case may be, rummage in your pantry and squabble around in the fridge and use whatever you can find. 🙂
What to put in Coconut Curry
This is where things get fun. You can literally put anything in this Easy Coconut Curry Sauce and it’s going to taste great. Here are some ideas:
-
Lentils, pumpkin, spinach and cashews (pictured). Terrific combination my friends go bonkers over;
-
Chicken, fish or prawns – sear before starting recipe, then add them back in later;
-
Sweet potato, normal potato, zucchini, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, squash;
-
Other legumes – chickpeas are sensational, and any other type of beans.
I’ve included a guide in the recipe notes for when to add different ingredients. For proteins, it’s well worth searing them before starting the recipe, then just add them back in later once the sauce is done.
30 minutes. That’s how far away you are from a homemade-from-scratch Coconut Curry.
The flavour is not quite as in-your-face punchy like with Butter Chicken or Chicken Tikka Masala, but it’s still got quite an intense Indian-style curry flavour.
But then again, you haven’t had to marinate overnight and you’ve used half the spices.
But no one would ever say this is lacking in taste. No one has ever accused me of making bland food – and I intend to keep it that way!! – Nagi x
PS If you’re after a milder, more creamy style Western curry, try this Everyday Chicken Curry – a 5 ingredients from scratch curry sauce.
If you love coconut milk sauces, you’ll love these!
-
An amazing easy Thai Coconut Noodle Soup
-
Browse the Curry Collection
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Easy Coconut Curry Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger , finely grated
- 1/2 onion , finely chopped (brown or yellow)
- 400g/14oz can coconut milk (full fat)
- 1 cup/ 250 ml chicken broth
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml tomato passata (tomato puree) (Note 1)
- 400 g/14 oz can brown lentils , drained
- 250 g / 8 oz pumpkin (~3 cups) , cut into 2cm / 4/5" cubes
- 80 g / 2 cups (packed) baby spinach
- 1/2 cup cashews , unsalted (roasted or raw) (Note 2)
- 1/2 tsp each salt + pepper
Spices:
- 1 tbsp garam masala (Note 3)
- 2 tbsp curry powder (mild or spicy, your choice) (Note 4)
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp paprika (sweet, or hot for spice!)
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
Serving:
- Coriander/cilantro leaves, whole or chopped
- Chopped cashews (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium high heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger, cook for 2 minutes until onion is a bit tinged with gold.
- Add Spices and stir for 1 minute - don't worry if it looks a bit dried out.
- Add coconut milk, passata and broth. Stir until incorporated.
- Add lentils and pumpkin. Bring to simmer then adjust heat so it's simmering energetically.
- Simmer for 10 minutes or until pumpkin is tender but not mushy, and sauce has thickened.
- Stir through baby spinach until wilted, then cashew nuts.
- Add salt and pepper last, adjusting to taste.
- Serve over rice, sprinkled with coriander and extra cashews, if using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Yes, he even eats shampoo bubbles….
Jacquelyn Lord says
Am I able to leave out the pumpkin?
Bronwyn Horsfall says
Hi Nagi, Thank you so much for your delicious recipes, especially this one. It is very easy, quick, delicous and versatile… easy to add other ingredients too. It freezes REALLY well too. Love your work Nagi! Thank you!!
Becky says
Hey there! I know this might be a silly question, but I notice a couple of recipes like this one have tomato paste in it. I’m allergic to tomatoes but would really love to try experimenting with curries like this. Any ideas for what to substitute? I’ve heard suggestions like maybe red pepper, like made into a paste by roasting and blending? But I’m not sure if you’ve come across any other ideas in your experience? Thank you!
Sharon says
I can’t eat tomato at all, so I just leave it out. This curry sauce was delicious without tomato.
Nagi says
Hi Becky, that would be my only recommendation to use roast peppers/capsicums but I haven’t tested it to be honest sorry! N x
RK says
Just wondering if I can omit the spinach, it’s hard to find where I am.
Abby says
I made a vegan meal for the oldest couple, late 80s and mid 90s, in my church using this coconut curry recipe and it was awesome and a hit. I used whole foods vegan chiken, green beans, carrot and broccoli. I also added a dash of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg and a cap full of apple cider vinegar at the end. Thanks for helping appear like a profession chef. Lol! I served it with carribbean peas and rice and roasted butternut squash with raisins.
Nagi says
Yes definitely RK! N x
Jenny says
This curry is AMAZING! i have cooked it countless times and without doubt amazing! You are so talented.
Question for variation: My mum is allergic to tomatoes (gout related) could you sub the passata with anything to yield the same smoothness/taste?
Sheree says
Made this just as it started to get cold outside. My dh and I loved the easy coconut curry! Just what we wanted. Thank you for the great recipe!
Sheree says
Forgot to add that we used cauliflower, cubed carrots, onions and a little celery. We served it over white jasmine rice. YUM!
Jenny says
Hi Nagi. I love your recipes. I use them all the time. Just wondering if I could sub the cashews for peanuts. I’m allergic to tree nuts, but I like the crunchy texture that the nuts would give. Thanks.
Nagi says
Yes definitely Jenny! N x
Jenny says
Thanks!
Dorothy Doorasamy says
Delicious recipes
El says
I would like to ask if it’s ok to use lamb mince for meat, red lentils for lentils and to use the slow cooker as I’m out of the house early in the morning?
Nagi says
Hi El, you can use mince and red lentils but you need to bring this one to a simmer to cook it so it isn’t suitable for the slow cooker sorry. N x
El says
Ok Thanks Nagi.
El says
And forgot to ask is this mild spice for kids too?
Catherine says
Made the lentil and pumpkin recipe yesterday and it was so simple. Delicious and tastes even better today! I’m going to try some of the other recipes on your website. Thank you.
Kylie says
Hi Nagi
If I don’t add the lentils would this affect the consistency of the sauce?
I’m going to use chicken and another veg
Cheers
Nagi says
Hi Kylie, that’s fine! Even chickpeas would work too 🙂 N x
Sheron says
Yummy rich tasty comfort food. Loved it.
Melina says
Hi Nagi,
This recipe looks amazing but I’m unsure of what to use with shrimp and cashews or even if the cashews go. I have spinach, lentils, chickpeas, and some other vegetables. Super excited to make some version of this curry though.
Marissa says
Hey Nagi! This sounds delicious and so very easy. I was wondering if I can omit or replace the tumeric with a different spice? I have a child with ceramic braces and tumeric is sadly a big no no! TIA!
Nagi says
Hi Marissa, now this is the first time anyone has said that to me! Just leave the numeric out 🙂 N x
Marissa says
Thanks Nagi!! Can’t wait to try it.
N says
Big hit! Made it yesterday with cauliflower, lentils and chicken over cauliflower rice. Everyone loved it, so today I’ll make it again with leftover veggies – eggplant, broccoli, carrot and chickpeas. Thanks Nagi!!
Nagi says
Sounds great N!! N x
Anita says
Hi Nagi
I haven’t made yet, but could I make a ‘huge’ batch and freeze ? Would be great if too tired to cook
Anita
Nagi says
Hi Anita, yes you can! Enjoy! N x
Sarah says
Hi,
Just in the middle of making this now, and realised I’m out of passata. I have can diced tomatos or also a can of rosella tomato soup. Which would be the better substitute?
Nagi says
Hi Sarah, sorry for the late response – how did you go with this? N x
Daniel says
I compiled three different recipes for Garam Masala, and I thought I would incorporate the best elements of each, but I realized I wasn’t familiar enough, so I just stuck with this one as it seemed the most legit. Pretty good stuff. I just subbed Better Than Boullion Vegetable Stock base for the Chicken Stock and did not add the water (just added it to the coconut milk). Also left the tomato out (I tried a little with tomato paste and decided it took the recipe in a direction I didn’t want to go–seemed the tomato stole the show / masked the spices too much).
I am grateful for this recipe. It felt like a good starting place. Now I can experiment a little–I’d like more cardamom, clove, peppercorn.
Nagi says
Hi Daniel, I’m so glad you could modify it to your tastes, that’s great to hear! N x
Brooke says
This is a beautiful vegetarian curry. You’ve done it again, Nagi with your brilliant recipes.
Nagi says
Thank you so much Brooke!
Cathy Lavoie says
Hi Nagi, we made this curry last night. It was good, but the taste of cumin was a bit overpowering. I wonder, is it ground cumin or seeds? I added coconut milk and salt and it was very good, thanks again and again!
Cathy
Nagi says
Hi Cathy – this is made using ground cumin, sorry if you found it overpowering, you can always reduce the amount to taste – N x