Quinoa Vegetable Curry Stew
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This vegetable curry stew is loaded with veggies, quinoa, black beans, and warming spices. It’s a flavorful one-pot meal the whole family will love. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, and it’s super versatile, so you can use what you’ve got on hand! Wait until I tell you the secret ingredient.
One reader, Maïla, says, “This quinoa curry is delicious! My husband and I had it multiple times in the last 2 years, and it’s always a pure delight. We also served it to a group of friends lately and everybody loved it. The recipe is good as is but we love to vary the veggies depending on what we have on hand. The result is always phenomenal. Thanks for your yummy creativity. ★★★★★”
When I was craving something comforting but quick, this vegetable curry stew was exactly what I needed — and it’s been a staple in my kitchen ever since. It’s rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying, with warming spices, onion, garlic, and ginger creating a cozy base. Black beans, kale, and quinoa make it hearty enough to stand on its own as a complete meal.
What keeps me coming back is its flexibility and ease. I can use whatever vegetables I have on hand, even frozen ones, and everything cooks together in one pot. A subtle, unexpected ingredient adds a creamy texture that brings the whole stew together, making this an easy, comforting dinner I never get tired of.
The secret ingredient
Are you ready for the not-so-secret ingredient? It’s peanut butter (or almond butter.) It might sound strange – but hear me out. This is why it works:
- Consistency: The peanut butter melds right into the broth as you stir it in, creating a luscious, creamy base that takes this stew to the next level.
- Flavor: The nutty undertone works perfectly with the earthy spices, enriching the stew with its rich flavor. Don’t skip it!
Variations
This vegetable curry stew is flexible and customizable, so you can make it your own or throw in veggies from the fridge. Here are some of my favorite variations:
- Alternative nut butter: In addition to peanut or almond butter, cashew butter and sunflower seed butter are delicious options. Sunflower seed is a good option if someone has a nut allergy.
- Bean swap: Yes, you can easily substitute the black beans for chickpeas, navy beans, kidney beans, or even lentils.
- Veggies: There are loads of vegetables in this stew, but you can change it up according to your preferences or what’s in the fridge. I’ve made this with cauliflower, eggplant, spinach, sweet potato, and green beans before.
- Spice it up: I prefer it with extra curry powder and some chili flakes or extra cayenne pepper, but I like my food spicier than most.
Can I freeze this vegetable curry stew?
Definitely! Store it in an airtight container or reusable silicone bag (I like these Stasher ones) for up to 3 months. It’s also a great recipe for meal prep or for gifting to new parents.
Frequently asked questions
If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for here, you can ask it in the comments below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
How long does vegetable curry stew keep in the fridge?
Any leftover vegetable curry stew can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, it can be warmed on the stove in a pot with a splash of water.
What broth should I use?
I’ve made this with chicken and vegetable broth, and both work well. If you don’t eat meat, make sure to use veggie broth!
Does this recipe work for meal prep?
Yes! Simmer up a batch in your dutch oven on Sunday and enjoy delicious meals all week long.
How should I serve this vegetable curry stew?
I add the kale then let it sit for a few minutes so it starts to wilt, then add salt and pepper to taste. You can serve it as is in a bowl with fresh cilantro on top and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Sometimes, I eat it with basmati rice, but it works well without rice since there is already quinoa.
Quinoa Vegetable Curry Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 1 medium red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 green pepper (finely chopped)
- 1 large carrot (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 tablespoons fresh ginger (minced)
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne powder (if you like it spicy)
- 2 large tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups broth
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups cooked black beans (or one 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained)
- 3 tablespoons all-natural peanut or almond butter
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 8 ounces kale (torn into bite-sized pieces)
- Sea salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, pepper, carrot, and celery and let them cook for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Add the garlic, ginger, curry powder, cayenne (if you’re using it), and the chopped tomatoes and let them cook for 1 minute.1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil, 1 medium red onion, 1 green pepper, 1 large carrot, 2 stalks celery, 3 cloves garlic, 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, 2 tablespoons curry powder, Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne powder, 2 large tomatoes
- Add the bay leaf and broth to the pot and bring it to a boil. Add the quinoa and simmer uncovered for 12 minutes. Add the black beans to the pot and let them warm through.1 bay leaf, 4 cups broth, 1 cup quinoa, 1 ½ cups cooked black beans
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the peanut or almond butter, cilantro, and kale and stir. Let the stew sit for a few minutes so the kale wilts then season to taste with salt and pepper.3 tablespoons all-natural peanut or almond butter, ¼ cup fresh cilantro, 8 ounces kale, Sea salt and black pepper
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
I am a first time reader (saw your beer ice cream on America’s Test Kitchen) and I’d love to learn how to cook quinoa =)
This recipe looks amazing! Love that you added almond butter…
I need this cookbook badly: I’ve only had quinoa once!
I’m not commenting in hopes of winning the book (I live all the way in Bulgaria, so that’s not even a possibility), but wanted to share that I read the recipe yesterday at work and immediately tried it for dinner last night (surprisingly, I had all of the ingredients at home). It turned out incredibly delicious, but a little too watery (perhaps the quinoa we get here is different and does not need as much liquid? I don’t know …) – next time I will cut the broth amount by half and I think it will be perfect! Good day to you, Kristen!
This recipe sounds amazing. I’m always looking for delicious meatless recipes for my family and I. Winning this book would be great!
I love cooking with quinoa so much! It is so under appreciated so i am glad they are coming out with a book solely dedicated to its awesomeness!
Mm, I’m going to try this recipe tonight! And I love quinoa…a book all about it would be awesome.
I absolutely adore quinoa and I am constantly searching for new recipes to expand upon the limitless possibilities and potential it possesses. So far I’ve tossed it into delicious Italian and Asian styled salads, cooked it with taco seasoning to substitute for beef in vegan Tacos and of course, thrown it into all kinds if delicious soups and stews. I wonder if this book can teach me tasty new meals 😀
My mom has just borrowed my quinoa cookbooks (she is diabetic, and her dietician just told her to “eat more of these fancy grains” without telling her how/what, so she’s completely confused), so this would be great for her 🙂
I love quinoa, always looking for new recipes to add to my stash 🙂
Gonna try this recipe, but as a sidedish! Whole family loves Quinoa, soo it would be great to win the cookbook!
I’m obsessed with quinoa!! I love telling people that they “need to try it!”
Great post and I can’t wait to try the recipe! I love Quinoa and this book looks amazing!
I REALLY need to win this cookbook!
I can’t wait to try this !!
I love quinoa, and the Dummies Cook Book would be the best. Thanks for the giveaway.