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Coconut Curried Vegetable Stew

This coconut curried vegetable stew is a fragrant, warming dish that delivers a wonderful depth of flavour. As a hearty vegan main course, it combines the creamy richness of coconut milk with a gentle heat from ginger and turmeric. It is a vibrant, colourful meal that makes the most of seasonal produce like cauliflower and green beans, offering a satisfying texture that feels truly indulgent without being overly heavy.

Perfect for a midweek dinner or as a meal-prep staple, this versatile stew is designed for nourishment and ease. The potatoes naturally thicken the sauce as they cook, creating a comforting consistency that is best enjoyed in deep bowls. Serving this dish with a side of steamed basmati rice or warm flatbreads makes for a complete, plant-based dinner that provides plenty of vitamins and minerals.

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Ingredients for Coconut Curried Vegetable Stew

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable broth or water

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

  • 4 medium potatoes, any variety, peeled and diced

  • 1/2 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces

  • 1 to 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger, or to taste

  • 2 to 3 teaspoons good- quality curry powder, or to taste

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoons turmeric

  • 1 to 2 small fresh hot chilli peppers, seeded and minced (optional)

  • 1 (425g) can light coconut milk

  • 8 to 275g green beans (fresh or organic frozen) or slender asparagus, cut into 1- to 2-inch lengths

  • 3 to 110g baby spinach

  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup minced fresh coriander, plus more for topping

  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat the oil, broth, or water in a large soup pot. Add the onion and garlic and sauté over medium heat until the onion is golden. Add the carrots, potatoes, and 475ml water and bring to a rapid simmer. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer gently for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are about half tender.

Add the cauliflower, ginger, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, chilli peppers (if desired), and coconut milk. Return to a simmer; add the green beans or asparagus. Continue to simmer gently, covered, until the vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes longer.

Mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon to thicken the stew’s base. Stir in the spinach and coriander and cook just until the spinach is wilted. The stew should have a thick consistency, with just enough liquid to warrant serving it in bowls rather than on a plate. Adjust the liquid with water or nondairy milk, keeping in mind that as the stew stands, it will thicken. Adjust the seasonings to taste.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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