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 used only 2 cups of broth and it was perfect. tasted amaaaaaazing! will definitely be making this again
This was incredible! I have never eaten curry before but I love quinoa so….I don’t like soupy soups. I used 2 cups of broth instead of 4 and I had to put the lid on the pot to get the quinoa to cook. I have had a bowl 3 days in a row! ❤️❤️❤️
This was a huge hit with the kids! Great easy and lighter lunch. I used spinach in place of kale, and probably closer to 1 T of curry powder since that was all I had. I also substituted the ginger for 1/4 tsp ground. The only odd thing for me was that the amount of broth was way too much. 4 cups made it VERY watery, so I ended up having to dump it all through a sieve to get the desired stew-like consistency. Next time I will used an amount of water closer to what is called for on my bag of quinoa. Other than that, great recipe!!
This was so good! I didn’t have kale, so swapped it for spinach. Added sweet potatoes per another commenters suggestion as well. Will make it again!
I’m so happy to hear that the recipe as a hit!
Can you use instant for this recipe?
I’ve never tried it but I suspect you could alter the recipe to make it in an Instant Pot.
Just made this and it was great, although my wife likes the kale very soft so i put it in with the onions and carrots peppers etc. It worked very well. Loved the nut butter curry sauce, very clever alternative to coconut milk…
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for coming back to let us know!!
That is one of the most comforting looking veggie dishes I have ever seen!! Wow!
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit!
So tasty!
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit!
This looks amazing! Do you think I could sub a can of diced tomatoes instead of chopping fresh ones since they aren’t in season right now? If so do you think a 15oz can would be enough? Thank you!!
I think that would work perfectly!
Do try adding the peanut butter. It’s so good! I like the idea of coconut milk, too. Coconut makes everything better!
Oh my goodness!
Thankyou so much for sharing this recipe. I made a huge batch and have shared it with all my veggie hating work mates and it is just delish!!
I’m so happy you liked it!
I felt that adding the quinoa just at the end made the vegetables overcooked by the time the quinoa was done. Any solutions for this? Could I add the quinoa with the broth?
Thanks!
I’m sorry to hear that happened to you! If you like your veggies a little less done you could always add the quinoa a little earlier. 🙂
This recipe is DIVINE goodness! It is hearty and perfect for a cold winter day. I happen to be a true avocado lover and added a quarter of a medium avocado after serving myself a bowl. It was perfect!
So happy to hear you loved the recipe! I think I’ll add some avocado next time I make it too 🙂
Amazing. I love everything about this meal. Simple to make, I didn’t change a thing about the recipe, it is perfect how it is.
Is it best to stick with white quinoa, or is black or red okay as well? I thought red might hold up a little better, since ( at least in my experience) regular quinoa can get a bit mushy when cooked.
Hi Neha,
The white quinoa holds up really well, probably since it is added just at the end of cooking. Definitely feel free to switch it up for red or black though if you want. 🙂
I enjoy quinoa, but I’d love to learn more about it so that I can do more than just the breakfast cereal version that I know how to make. 🙂