Single-Pan Global Curries

Featured in: Dinner Fix

Discover a trio of vibrant curries made effortlessly in one pan—Indian chickpea, Thai red lentil, and Caribbean sweet potato, each bursting with distinctive flavors. These dishes blend classic spices, coconut milk, and hearty ingredients for satisfying, weeknight-friendly meals. Serve with steamed rice or flatbread for a comforting dinner. With straightforward steps and minimal cleanup, you can easily customize spice levels and swap ingredients for your preferences. Vegan and gluten-free variations are simple to achieve by choosing plant-based broths and swapping sauces. This collection brings global taste to your table without fuss.

Updated on Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:19:00 GMT
Aromatic Indian Chickpea Curry simmering in a skillet, garnished with fresh cilantro.  Save
Aromatic Indian Chickpea Curry simmering in a skillet, garnished with fresh cilantro. | nachohaha.com

A vibrant collection of three easy, one-pot curries inspired by different world cuisines. Perfect for weeknights, these curries are packed with flavor and can be made with minimal fuss in a single pan.

I first cooked these global curries after a busy workday, and was amazed by how the flavors from different cultures came together with simple pantry staples. They have quickly become my go-to solution for vegetarian dinners that please everyone.

Ingredients

  • Indian Chickpea Curry: 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 medium onion (finely chopped), 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1-inch piece fresh ginger (grated), 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 (14 oz/400 g) can diced tomatoes, 2 (14 oz/400 g) cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed), 1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk, 1 tsp salt, fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Thai Red Lentil Curry: 2 tbsp coconut oil, 1 medium onion (diced), 3 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste, 1 cup (200 g) red lentils (rinsed), 1 (14 oz/400 ml) can coconut milk, 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable broth, 1 medium carrot (sliced), 1 red bell pepper (sliced), 1 tbsp soy sauce, juice of 1 lime, fresh basil or cilantro for garnish
  • Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry: 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 medium onion (sliced), 3 garlic cloves (minced), 1 Scotch bonnet or habanero chili (deseeded and minced; optional), 1 tbsp curry powder, 2 large sweet potatoes (peeled and diced), 1 (14 oz/400 ml) can coconut milk, 1 (14 oz/400 g) can black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable broth, 1 tsp thyme, salt and pepper to taste, fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Indian Chickpea Curry:
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft (about 5 minutes). Stir in garlic and ginger, and sauté for 1 minute. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala and cook 1 minute more until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut milk, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Thai Red Lentil Curry:
Heat coconut oil in large pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent (about 4 minutes). Add garlic and curry paste, and cook 1 minute. Stir in lentils, coconut milk, broth, carrot, and bell pepper. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in soy sauce and lime juice. Garnish with basil or cilantro.
Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry:
Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and chili, cook 1 minute. Stir in curry powder and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add sweet potatoes, coconut milk, black beans, broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook 20 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender. Garnish with fresh parsley.
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These curries are always a family hit on busy nights, and everyone enjoys customizing their bowl with rice or naan on the side. Even our picky eaters happily go back for seconds!

Serving Suggestions

Serve these curries alongside steamed rice, warm naan, or flatbread to round out the meal. Add a bright salad or pickled vegetables for freshness.

Variations & Swaps

You can swap chickpeas for white beans in the Indian curry or use split peas in place of lentils for the Thai curry. Adjust the type and amount of chili for your preferred heat level.

Nutrition & Allergens

Each serving contains about 360 calories, with 13 g total fat, 48 g carbs, and 12 g protein. Check all packaged ingredients for soy, gluten, and coconut.

Vibrant Thai Red Lentil Curry bubbling with colorful vegetables, ready to serve with lime.  Save
Vibrant Thai Red Lentil Curry bubbling with colorful vegetables, ready to serve with lime. | nachohaha.com

With minimal cleanup and plentiful flavors, these single-pan global curries will brighten your dinner routine. Enjoy mixing and matching garnishes for each bowl.

Recipe FAQ

Can I prepare all three curries in advance?

Yes, these curries reheat well and flavors deepen overnight. Store in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Are these dishes suitable for vegan diets?

Absolutely. Choose plant-based curry paste, broth, and ensure all sauces are vegan-friendly for each option.

What can I serve alongside these curries?

Steamed rice, naan, or flatbread pair perfectly. They soak up the rich, flavorful sauces nicely.

How can I adjust the spice level?

Omit or reduce chili in the Caribbean curry and use milder curry paste in the Thai variation for less heat.

Are there alternative protein sources I can use?

Swap chickpeas for white beans, lentils for split peas, or experiment with other legumes to suit your taste.

Will the curries contain common allergens?

Some curries use coconut milk and soy sauce. Opt for tamari if you need a gluten-free alternative.

Single-Pan Global Curries

Create three flavorful, one-pan curries inspired by Indian, Thai, and Caribbean cuisines in under an hour.

Prep duration
15 min
Time to cook
30 min
Complete duration
45 min
Created by Carlos Vega

Type Dinner Fix

Complexity Easy

Heritage Indian, Thai, Caribbean

Output 4 Portions

Dietary requirements Meat-free, No dairy

Components

Indian Chickpea Curry

01 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
02 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
05 2 teaspoons ground cumin
06 2 teaspoons ground coriander
07 1 teaspoon turmeric
08 1 teaspoon garam masala
09 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
10 2 cans (14 ounces each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
11 1 cup coconut milk
12 1 teaspoon salt
13 Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Thai Red Lentil Curry

01 2 tablespoons coconut oil
02 1 medium onion, diced
03 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
05 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
06 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
07 2 cups vegetable broth
08 1 medium carrot, sliced
09 1 red bell pepper, sliced
10 1 tablespoon soy sauce
11 Juice of 1 lime
12 Fresh basil or cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 medium onion, sliced
03 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 1 Scotch bonnet or habanero chili, deseeded and minced (optional)
05 1 tablespoon curry powder
06 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
07 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
08 1 can (14 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
09 1 cup vegetable broth
10 1 teaspoon thyme
11 Salt and pepper to taste
12 Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Indian Chickpea Curry: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic. Sprinkle in ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Stir in diced tomatoes, drained chickpeas, coconut milk, and salt. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Before serving, garnish generously with chopped cilantro.

Phase 02

Prepare Thai Red Lentil Curry: Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent, approximately 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and Thai red curry paste, cooking for 1 minute. Add rinsed red lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, sliced carrot, and red bell pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft. Stir in soy sauce and lime juice. Finish with a garnish of fresh basil or cilantro.

Phase 03

Prepare Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry: Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and minced chili; sauté for 1 minute. Mix in curry powder and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add diced sweet potatoes, coconut milk, black beans, vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper, then stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender. Serve garnished with chopped parsley.

Tools needed

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and speak with a healthcare provider if you're concerned about specific ingredients.
  • Contains coconut (tree nut allergen).
  • Soy sauce in Thai curry may contain soy and wheat (gluten); substitute tamari for gluten-free option.
  • Always check curry paste and broth packaging for potential allergens.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 360
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 12 g