Vegan Cauliflower Curry with Beans

This nutrient-packed vegan cauliflower curry with beans is made with wholesome ingredients for a satisfying and nourishing meal. It’s a vibrant, hearty curry that features tender cauliflower and protein-rich beans, all simmered in a rich, aromatic sauce.

Whether you’re a fan of cauliflower or you’re not yet convinced about it, this vegan cauliflower curry with beans is highly likely to be added to your recipe rotation.

I’m a massive fan of plant-based curries, and this one ticks all my boxes: it’s easy to make, super flavorful and extra nutritious.

As with most curries, you can cook this in one pot, which means less cleanup (yay!).

You can easily tune the spiciness level to suit your family’s taste and of course, make it your own by adding extra veggies.

Why you’ll love this vegan cauliflower curry

• An explosion of flavors — This cozy, comforting curry is super flavorful and just perfect to warm you up at the end of a chilly day.
• Nutrition-packed goodness — Cauliflower brings a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals to the table, while cannellini beans provide protein and fiber for a satisfying meal.
• Perfect for meal prep — This cauliflower curry with beans is an absolute gem when it comes to meal prepping. It tastes even better the next day, and it also freezes and reheats beautifully!

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil — I used olive oil to sauté the onion and aromatics; coconut oil, avocado oil, or canola oil are all good substitutions.

Onion — Yellow, white, or red onions will work beautifully in this dish, so use your favorite.

Garlic and ginger — Nothing beats the fresh taste of minced garlic and ginger in a curry.

However, if you’re out of fresh aromatics, use a shop-bought garlic ginger paste instead.

Spices — Ground cumin, coriander, and chili powder create the warm and fragrant spice blend that makes this curry super aromatic.

Cauliflower florets — Cauliflower is the star of this show, and it adds a delightful texture and absorbs all those incredible flavors.

If you'd like to add more veggies to the mix, broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers are all good ideas.

Cannellini beans — These creamy white beans are a great source of protein and fiber, making this curry extra satisfying.

If you don't have cannellini beans on hand, feel free to use chickpeas, black beans, or even kidney beans as a substitute.

Tomato sauce (passata) — A rich tomato sauce ties this curry together and gives it a slightly tangy flavor. If you don't have passata, you can use canned crushed tomatoes and tomato puree.

How to make cauliflower bean curry

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan and sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes over medium heat.

Stir in the garlic and ginger and continue to cook for another minute until fragrant.

Next, add the ground cumin, ground coriander and chili powder and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Add the cauliflower florets and toss well to cover in the spice mix.

Stir in the beans, tomato sauce and water and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, covered with a lid.

Stir in the fresh cilantro, season to taste and serve over rice or with warm naan bread.

Leftovers and storage

• This curry tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop as it sits. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Reheat the curry gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking.
• The curry will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Recipe notes and tips

• Serve this vegan cauliflower curry over a bed of steaming basmati rice, nutty quinoa, or even your favorite noodles for a satisfying meal.
• Feel free to amp up the heat in this recipe by adding more chili powder or tossing in some fresh, chopped chilies like jalapeños or Thai bird's eye chilies.
• If you're in the mood for a rich, creamy curry, substitute half of the tomato sauce with full-fat coconut milk.

If you liked this cauliflower curry with beans, you might also like some of my other easy vegan curry recipes:

• Vegan Thai Yellow Curry
• Vegan Panang Curry
• Gochujang Curry
• Vegetable Balti Curry
• Thai Mango Curry with Chickpeas

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