Single-Pan Global Curries

Featured in: Quick Weeknight Dinners

Prepare three exciting curries from across the globe, all cooked in a single pan for effortless cleanup. Enjoy Indian chickpea, Thai red lentil, and Caribbean sweet potato varieties, each packed with aromatic spices, plant-based proteins, and coconut milk for luscious texture. Minimal prep time makes these dishes perfect for weeknights, whether you crave mild or fiery flavors. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with rice or flatbread for a satisfying meal everyone can enjoy. Vegan options and simple swaps offer flexibility for all tastes and dietary needs.

Updated on Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:13:00 GMT
A colorful, aromatic bowl of Indian Chickpea Curry, garnished with cilantro.  Save
A colorful, aromatic bowl of Indian Chickpea Curry, garnished with cilantro. | forkina.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 making global curries in one pan during a busy week, hoping for both variety and convenience. The experiment turned out deliciously, and now these are my go-to options for impressive dinners without spending hours in the kitchen.

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 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.
Creamy Thai Red Lentil Curry simmering with vibrant vegetables and fresh basil.  Pin it
Creamy Thai Red Lentil Curry simmering with vibrant vegetables and fresh basil. | forkina.com

Sharing these curries at a family dinner brought smiles all around, especially as everyone tried a bit of each and picked their favorites. The easy clean-up meant more time spent together rather than in the kitchen.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these curries with steamed rice, naan, flatbread, or quinoa. Each pairs well with a refreshing cucumber salad or pickled vegetables for contrast.

Recipe Variations

Swap chickpeas for white beans, lentils for split peas, or black beans for kidney beans if you prefer. Adjust chili amounts depending on the heat level you like and for vegan options check all paste and broth ingredients.

Nutrition Facts

Each serving (average): Calories 360, Total Fat 13 g, Carbohydrates 48 g, Protein 12 g. Values may vary depending on specific ingredients and brands used.

Hearty Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry served with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Pin it
Hearty Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry served with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. | forkina.com

With a single pan and a handful of basic spices, these curries bring the world to your table. Try all three and discover new favorites!

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients are essential for these global curries?

Core ingredients include chickpeas, red lentils, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, fresh herbs, and a blend of spices unique to Indian, Thai, and Caribbean cuisines.

Can I make these curries vegan?

Yes, simply ensure your curry paste and broth are plant-based. Substitute soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free and vegan-friendly option.

How spicy are the curries?

Heat levels can be adjusted. Indian and Thai styles use aromatic spices, while Caribbean curry can include chili for more kick. Modify chili amounts to suit your taste.

What tools do I need?

You'll need a large skillet or Dutch oven, chefs knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, and a wooden spoon for preparation.

What are good sides for these curries?

Serve with steamed rice, naan, or flatbread to complement the saucy curries. A simple salad also pairs well for added freshness.

Can ingredients be swapped for allergies or preferences?

Yes. Swap chickpeas for white beans, lentils for split peas, and use alternative herbs as garnish. Always double-check packaged ingredient labels for allergens.

Single-Pan Global Curries

Enjoy bold flavors from Indian, Thai, and Caribbean cuisines with quick, easy, one-pan vegetarian curries.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Indian, Thai, Caribbean

Yield: 12 servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

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, 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 thyme
11 Salt and pepper to taste
12 Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Step 01

Prepare Indian Chickpea Curry: Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger; sauté for 1 minute.

Step 02

Add Spices for Indian Curry: Sprinkle cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala into the pan; cook for 1 minute until aromatic.

Step 03

Simmer Indian Chickpea Curry: Combine in diced tomatoes, drained chickpeas, coconut milk, and salt. Mix thoroughly, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 04

Garnish Indian Curry: Top with fresh cilantro before serving.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Add Aromatics and Paste: Introduce garlic and Thai red curry paste; sauté for 1 minute.

Step 07

Simmer Thai Red Lentil Curry: Incorporate rinsed lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, sliced carrot, and bell pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.

Step 08

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

Step 09

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

Step 10

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

Step 11

Add Spices for Caribbean Curry: Stir in curry powder and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Step 12

Simmer Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry: Add sweet potatoes, coconut milk, black beans, vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 13

Cook Caribbean Curry: Cover and cook for 20 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender.

Step 14

Garnish Caribbean Curry: Finish with fresh parsley.

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains coconut, which is a tree nut allergen.
  • Soy sauce in Thai curry may contain soy and wheat. Tamari can be substituted for a gluten-free option.
  • Curry paste and broth may contain allergens. Always check labels prior to use.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 360
  • Total Fat: 13 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 48 g
  • Protein: 12 g