Single-Pan Global Curries

Featured in: Dinner Grin

Discover a trio of flavorful, single-pan curries drawing inspiration from Indian, Thai, and Caribbean kitchens. Each dish is bursting with aromatic spices, tender vegetables, and hearty legumes, designed to deliver diverse tastes without fuss. Quick prep and easy cooking techniques make these curries perfect for busy nights, whether paired with rice, naan, or flatbreads. Adaptable for vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, these comforting meals bring global flair to your table, highlighting the vibrant interplay of coconut milk, peppers, and fresh herbs.

Updated on Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:52:00 GMT
Vibrant single-pan global curries with rich spices and fresh herbs on display.  Save
Vibrant single-pan global curries with rich spices and fresh herbs on display. | grinnosh.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.

When I first experimented with these curries, I was amazed at how easy it was to capture different world cuisines in a single evening. Whether you crave Indian, Thai, or Caribbean flavors, this trio brings excitement to your weeknight rotation without added hassle.

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. Sauté 1 minute. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut milk, and salt. Stir and bring to a simmer. 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. 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.
A colorful assortment of one-pot curries, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.  Save
A colorful assortment of one-pot curries, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners. | grinnosh.com

Our family loves picking a new curry each week. Sharing the whole pan at the table creates a fun, global-themed dinner, and even picky eaters find something to enjoy from the colorful dishes.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these curries with steamed rice, naan, or flatbread. Garnish with extra herbs for a lively presentation and flavor burst.

Allergen Information

Contains coconut (tree nut allergen). Soy sauce in Thai curry may contain soy or gluten. For gluten-free, use tamari. Check curry paste and broth labels carefully.

Nutritional Information

Each serving averages 360 calories, 13 g total fat, 48 g carbohydrates, and 12 g protein. Nutritional values may vary depending on ingredients and serving size.

Hearty Indian chickpea curry simmering in coconut milk, garnished with cilantro leaves. Save
Hearty Indian chickpea curry simmering in coconut milk, garnished with cilantro leaves. | grinnosh.com

Experiment with different toppings or spice blends to make each curry suit your preferences. Enjoy your global flavor adventure, one pan at a time!

Recipe FAQ

Can I substitute beans in these curries?

Yes, you can substitute chickpeas with white beans or lentils with split peas for different flavors or textures.

Are these curries suitable for vegan diets?

Absolutely. Make sure to use plant-based curry pastes and broth, and choose vegan garnishes for all versions.

What can I serve alongside these curries?

These curries pair well with steamed rice, naan, or flatbreads to soak up the rich, spiced sauces.

How spicy are the curries?

Spice levels vary by dish and can be adjusted, especially by modifying the chili quantity in the Caribbean sweet potato curry.

What tools do I need to prepare them?

You'll just need a large skillet or Dutch oven, a chef's knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, and a wooden spoon.

Can I make these curries gluten-free?

Yes, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and double-check curry paste and broth labels for hidden gluten or allergens.

Single-Pan Global Curries

Three vibrant, easy curries inspired by global cuisines—full of flavor, cooked in a single pan for weeknight ease.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
30 min
Complete duration
45 min
Created by Hannah Lewis


Skill level Easy

Heritage Indian, Thai, Caribbean

Output 12 Portions

Dietary guidelines 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 dried thyme
11 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions

Stage 01

Indian Chickpea Curry Preparation: Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, around 5 minutes.

Stage 02

Aromatics and Spice Integration: Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute. Incorporate cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.

Stage 03

Simmering the Sauce: Introduce diced tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut milk, and salt. Mix thoroughly and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stage 04

Finishing Touch: Garnish with fresh cilantro before plating.

Stage 05

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

Stage 06

Building Curry Base: Add garlic and Thai red curry paste, cooking for 1 minute.

Stage 07

Cooking Lentils and Vegetables: Stir in red lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, carrot, and bell pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until lentils are tender.

Stage 08

Season and Garnish: Blend in soy sauce and lime juice, then top with fresh basil or cilantro.

Stage 09

Caribbean Sweet Potato Curry Preparation: Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté sliced onion until softened, around 5 minutes.

Stage 10

Infusing Flavor: Add garlic and minced chili, cooking for 1 minute. Stir in curry powder, allowing it to toast for 30 seconds.

Stage 11

Simmering Main Ingredients: Add sweet potatoes, coconut milk, black beans, vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Stage 12

Completion and Garnish: Cover and cook for 20 minutes, until sweet potatoes reach fork-tender consistency. Finish with fresh parsley.

Necessary tools

  • 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 consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about ingredients.
  • Contains coconut, a tree nut allergen.
  • Soy sauce in Thai curry may contain soy and wheat (gluten). Use tamari for gluten-free option.
  • Check all curry paste and broth ingredient labels for allergen content.

Nutrient content (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional nutritional advice.
  • Energy: 360
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 12 g