Single-Pan Global Curries

Featured in: Quick Family Meals

Enjoy three boldly flavored curries inspired by Indian, Thai, and Caribbean kitchens, all crafted in a single pan for effortless cleanup. Fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, coconut milk, and tender legumes unite for satisfying, wholesome mains. Each curry is easy to prepare and garnished with herbs for a burst of freshness. Ideal for weeknight dinners, these vegetarian curries are customizable for vegan diets and offer options to adjust the heat level. Serve with rice or flatbread for a complete, comforting, and taste-packed meal the whole family will love.

Updated on Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:40:00 GMT
Vibrant Indian chickpea curry simmering in a skillet, garnished with fresh cilantro.  Pin this
Vibrant Indian chickpea curry simmering in a skillet, garnished with fresh cilantro. | recipeshood.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 tried cooking all three curries during a busy weeknight, and was amazed by how effortless it was to bring world flavors to the table with just one pan. These recipes have become my go-to choices for sharing vibrant dinners with friends.

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 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes, 2 cans (14 oz/400 g each) 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 can (14 oz/400 ml) 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 can (14 oz/400 ml) coconut milk, 1 can (14 oz/400 g) 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; sauté 1 minute. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala; 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; 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; 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.
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One weekend, my family gathered to sample each curry, and it turned into a memorable tasting party. The kids loved guessing which flavors came from which region!

Serving Suggestions

Serve these curries with steamed rice, naan, or flatbread for a hearty meal. Garnish bowls with fresh herbs to boost flavor and color.

Allergy Information

Contains coconut. Soy sauce in Thai curry may contain soy and wheat, so use tamari for a gluten-free option. Always check curry paste and broth labels for allergens.

Nutritional Information

Each serving provides about 360 calories, 13 g total fat, 48 g carbohydrates, and 12 g protein on average.

Thai red lentil curry bubbling with vegetables, infused with coconut milk and lime.  Pin this
Thai red lentil curry bubbling with vegetables, infused with coconut milk and lime. | recipeshood.com

Experiment with herbs or spice levels to match your family's taste. These curries are even tastier the next day, so enjoy leftovers!

Frequently Asked Recipe Questions

Can I substitute chickpeas in the Indian curry?

Yes, white beans or cannellini beans work well as a replacement for chickpeas in the Indian-style curry.

Is this suitable for vegan diets?

Absolutely! Ensure your curry paste and broth are plant-based, and all three curries can be enjoyed vegan.

How spicy is the Caribbean sweet potato curry?

It uses Scotch bonnet or habanero chili for heat, which can be adjusted or omitted to suit your spice preference.

What sides pair well with these curries?

Steamed rice, naan, or flatbreads complement the curries and soak up the flavorful sauces.

Are there gluten-free options?

Choose gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce in the Thai curry for a completely gluten-free meal.

Single-Pan Global Curries

Three lively curries from around the globe, cooked in one pan for a fast, flavorful vegetarian meal.

Prep Duration
15 min
Time to Cook
30 min
Overall Time
45 min
Created by Julia Harris

Meal Type Quick Family Meals

Level of Challenge Easy

Cuisine Type Indian, Thai, Caribbean

Servings Made 4 Number of Portions

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly, No Dairy Contained

What You'll Need

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 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, adjust to taste)
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

Method

Step 01

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

Step 02

Add Aromatics: Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 03

Toast Spices: Add ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, and garam masala; sauté for 1 minute to develop flavor.

Step 04

Create Curry Base: Incorporate diced tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut milk, and salt. Mix well. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 05

Finish and Garnish: Remove from heat and scatter fresh cilantro on top before serving.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Add Curry Paste and Garlic: Blend in minced garlic and Thai red curry paste; cook for 1 minute.

Step 08

Combine Main Components: Add rinsed red lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, sliced carrot, and red bell pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until lentils are soft.

Step 09

Finish Seasoning: 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. Sauté sliced onion until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 11

Add Garlic and Chili: Incorporate minced garlic and chili; cook for 1 minute.

Step 12

Add Curry Powder: Stir in curry powder and gently toast for 30 seconds until aromatic.

Step 13

Build Flavor: Add diced sweet potatoes, coconut milk, drained black beans, vegetable broth, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and bring to a simmer.

Step 14

Simmer and Finish: Cover pot and cook for 20 minutes, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Garnish with fresh parsley prior to serving.

Kitchen Tools Needed

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

Allergen Details

Review every ingredient for allergens and reach out to a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains coconut; individuals with tree nut allergies should use caution.
  • Soy sauce present in Thai curry may contain soy and gluten; employ tamari for gluten-free needs.
  • Verify ingredient labels of curry paste and vegetable broth for hidden allergens.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutrition info is for reference purposes only and isn't medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 360
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 12 g