Single-Pan Global Curries

Featured in: Everyday Family Meals

Discover three flavorful curries—Indian chickpea, Thai red lentil, and Caribbean sweet potato—each cooked effortlessly in a single pan. These dishes blend rich spices, creamy coconut milk, and vibrant vegetables for satisfying vegetarian meals. Enjoy the global variety with easy instructions, flexible ingredients, and quick prep, perfect for busy weeknights. Serve with rice, naan, or flatbreads and garnish with fresh herbs for extra aroma and taste. Vegan options are included, with customization tips to adjust heat and swap pulses. Minimal tools and simple cleanup make these wholesome curries ideal for everyday cooking.

Updated on Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:14:00 GMT
Vibrant Indian chickpea curry simmering with spices and fresh cilantro garnishes.  Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Indian chickpea curry simmering with spices and fresh cilantro garnishes. | recipesbies.com

A vibrant collection of three easy, one-pot curries inspired by Indian, Thai, and Caribbean cuisines. These flavorful vegetarian curries are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something healthy and globally inspired in minimal time.

When I first tried making a trio of global curries in a single pan each, I was surprised by how quickly dinner came together, and every bowl was bursting with flavor. Sharing these meals has turned many ordinary evenings into a culinary adventure in my home.

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, adjust to taste), 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 a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger and sauté 1 minute. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut milk, and salt. Stir well, 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 a 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 a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender. Stir in soy sauce and lime juice. Garnish with basil or cilantro.
Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and chili and 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 for 20 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Comforting Thai red lentil curry topped with basil, featuring coconut milk and veggies.  Save to Pinterest
Comforting Thai red lentil curry topped with basil, featuring coconut milk and veggies. | recipesbies.com

Sharing these curries with my family has become a weekly event, and choosing a favorite always sparks fun debates at the table!

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these curries with steamed rice, naan, or your favorite flatbread. A simple cucumber salad works beautifully as a side.

Required Tools

Use a large skillet or Dutch oven, Chefs knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, and a wooden spoon for easy cooking and cleanup.

Allergen Information

Each curry contains coconut. Thai curry has soy sauce which may contain soy and wheat. For gluten-free, use tamari. Check curry paste and broth labels for allergens.

Colorful Caribbean sweet potato curry with black beans, served in a rustic bowl. Save to Pinterest
Colorful Caribbean sweet potato curry with black beans, served in a rustic bowl. | recipesbies.com

Global flavors from one pan mean easy meals and happy faces at your table. Try all three and discover your new favorite curry night!

Answers to Recipe Questions

Can I make these curries vegan?

Yes! Use plant-based curry paste and vegetable broth, and check labels for any animal products.

What's a good substitute for chickpeas?

White beans or cannellini beans work well in place of chickpeas in the Indian curry.

How do I adjust the heat level?

Add more chili or curry paste for extra heat, or reduce to make it mild. Taste as you cook.

What can I serve alongside these curries?

Steamed rice, naan, or flatbreads pair perfectly for a complete meal with these curries.

Are these curries gluten-free?

Use tamari instead of soy sauce and check curry paste labels for a gluten-free preparation.

How can I store leftovers?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently before serving.

Single-Pan Global Curries

Bold Indian, Thai, and Caribbean flavors shine in convenient one-pan curries, ready in under an hour.

Prep duration
15 mins
Time to cook
30 mins
Overall time
45 mins
Published by Sophie Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Indian, Thai, Caribbean

Serves 4 Serving size

Dietary Details No meat included, No dairy used

What you need

Indian Chickpea Curry

01 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
02 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
05 2 teaspoons ground cumin
06 2 teaspoons ground coriander
07 1 teaspoon ground 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, 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, 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 dried thyme
11 Salt and pepper, to taste
12 Fresh parsley, for garnish

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare Indian Chickpea Curry: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until softened, approximately 5 minutes.

Step 02

Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic and grated fresh ginger. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.

Step 03

Add Spices to Curry: Incorporate ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. Sauté for 1 minute until spices release their fragrance.

Step 04

Simmer Chickpeas and Tomatoes: Pour in diced tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut milk, and salt. Stir thoroughly. Allow curry to simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 05

Finish and Garnish Indian Curry: Garnish with fresh cilantro just before serving.

Step 06

Prepare Thai Red Lentil Curry: Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes.

Step 07

Cook Garlic and Curry Paste: Add minced garlic and Thai red curry paste. Stir and sauté for 1 minute.

Step 08

Simmer Lentils and Vegetables: Add rinsed red lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, sliced carrot, and red bell pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.

Step 09

Finish and Garnish Thai Curry: Stir in soy sauce and lime juice. Garnish with fresh basil or cilantro before serving.

Step 10

Prepare Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook until soft, around 5 minutes.

Step 11

Sauté Garlic and Chili: Add minced garlic and optional minced chili. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 12

Incorporate Curry Powder: Stir in curry powder and cook for 30 seconds to bloom spices.

Step 13

Simmer Sweet Potatoes and Beans: Add diced sweet potatoes, coconut milk, black beans, vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 14

Cook and Finish Caribbean Curry: Cover and cook for 20 minutes, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Equipment You'll Need

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

Allergy Details

Review all ingredients for allergens, and reach out to a healthcare pro if unsure.
  • Contains coconut, a tree nut allergen.
  • Thai curry contains soy sauce, which may include soy and wheat (gluten); replace with tamari for gluten-free needs.
  • Always check labels for allergen information in curry pastes and broth.

Nutrition info (by portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance. Please consult a medical expert if you need advice.
  • Total Calories: 360
  • Fat content: 13 g
  • Carbohydrate: 48 g
  • Protein content: 12 g