Sweet potato curry is an easy one-pot recipe where sweet potatoes are simmered in an Indian-inspired curry until they are creamy, tender, and aromatic.

You’ll love this dish because it’s healthy, cozy, and perfect for meal prep. It’s delicious with fresh cilantro, fresh lime, and a dollop of yogurt.

Sweet potato Curry with rice

This sweet potato curry recipe is our family’s favorite way of enjoying this colorful and nutritious root vegetable.

The natural sweetness of the spuds melds perfectly with the spices creating an irresistible blend of flavors and aromas.

The sweet potato chunks become tender and creamy as they simmer in tomatoes, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. They taste delicious!

You can put this curry together with little effort in one pot, and it’ll be ready in about 30 minutes. The taste is bold and well-balanced.

It’s the perfect everyday family dinner, and you can add your favorite greens and protein, such as kale, spinach, chickpeas, or tofu.

sweet potato curry with white rice and yogurt

Sweet potato curry video

Ingredients & Substitutions for sweet potato curry

Ingredients for sweet potato curry

Sweet potatoes

Use orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. They are nutritious, flavorful, and can be cooked in less than 30 minutes.

You can also use white-fleshed sweet potatoes or regular potatoes.

Chickpeas

You can use canned or dry chickpeas that you previously soaked and cooked.

For a quick dinner, we recommend canned chickpeas.

Substitute the chickpeas firm tofu (8 ounces or 250 grams) cut into 3/4 inch cubes.

Red kidney, black, and pinto beans are also an excellent alternative to chickpeas.

Olive oil

We use olive oil to make a tasty flavor base and toast the spices.

You can substitute any other vegetable oil for olive oil.

Onion, garlic, and ginger

Chopped onion, grated garlic, and grated ginger, gently fried in olive oil, make a tasty and aromatic Indian-tasting flavor base that will make your curry delicious.

Spices

Curry powder, cumin, and black pepper are essential spices in this curry.

Red pepper flakes, ground coriander, turmeric powder, and garam masala are optional, but we recommend them to make a curry with an authentic flavor.

Spices are not only tasty but also packed with antioxidants and super healthy.

Vegetable broth

You can use store-bought vegetable broth, or you can make it yourself.

We use storebought most of the time as we eat this sweet potato curry as a weeknight dinner.

Substitute water for vegetable stock.

Crushed tomatoes

Crushed tomatoes are our favorite for curries, but you can also use whole canned peeled tomatoes, tomato puree, or ripe fresh tomatoes chopped into pieces.

Coconut milk

Coconut milk and sweet potatoes are incredible together.

You can use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest and tastiest curry or low-fat coconut milk for a less caloric one.

The coconut flavor is not overpowering at all, and we served this curry to people who swore to hate the coconut flavor, yet they loved this sweet potato curry recipe.

Salt

We like to use sea salt; kosher salt is also a good alternative.

Serve with

  • Lime or Lemon: freshly squeezed on top for a touch of acidity.
  • Cilantro: freshly chopped, on top, for a touch of freshness. Substitute flat-leaf parsley.
  • Rice: We recommend basmati to sop up the curry juices. A good flatbread or naan bread works well too.
  • Yogurt: plain, Greek-style, or dairy-free yogurt. A dollop on top.
  • Crushed peanuts: sprinkled on top (optional).
sweet potato curry with a lemon wedge

How to make sweet potato curry

Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into large bite-size chunks.

sweet potato cubes

Warm the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven, then add chopped onion and fry on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add grated garlic and grated ginger, and fry for 1 minute.

frying the onion in olive oil

Turn the heat to low and add in curry powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, coriander, and turmeric powder.

Toast the spices for 1 minute or until you smell their fragrant aroma.

spice mix roasting in a skillet

Add vegetable broth, diced sweet potatoes, drained and rinsed chickpeas, and crushed tomatoes, stir, bring to a boil, then simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes.

chickpeas, potato and minced tomato

Add coconut milk and simmer for ten minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the curry is creamy.

Creamy and denser curry

Turn the heat off, add garam masala, give it a final stir and serve.

Tip: Garam masala makes Indian curries so fragrant and aromatic.

It’s a spice blend you can buy in most supermarkets, online, or in Asian stores, and it contains cinnamon, mace, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and cardamom pods.

Adding garam masala at the end preserves its warming and aromatic flavor.

sweet potato curry with rice and a lemon

Serving Suggestions

Sweet potato curry is a fulfilling and nutritious main course.

Serve it in a bowl with a pinch of garam masala on top, a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of Lemon or lime juice. You can serve it with:

Sweet potato curry with rice

Variations

Sweet potato curry with kale

sweet potato curry with kale

Add leafy greens like kale, spinach, and chard to the sweet potato curry. They are perfect with this dish!

To do so, chop the greens into chunks and add them in 10 minutes before the curry is ready.

Vegan curry

vegan curry with rice and lemon wedge

Our delicious vegan curry recipe with a fragrant and creamy sauce, chewy tofu, and roasted cauliflower is a protein-packed meatless meal for the whole family.

Check out our vegan curry recipe.

Lentil curry

lentil curry with basmati rice and yogurt

Red lentils make the creamiest curry, similar to Indian dahl, giving it a rich and irresistible texture.

Try this lentil curry with white rice, fresh lemon juice, and a dollop of yogurt; you’ll impress everyone around your table.

Check out our lentil curry recipe.

Chickpea curry

chickpea curry with spinach

Chickpeas are an excellent legume for an easy, mega-creamy, plant-based curry.

You can make this quickly and with simple ingredients in one pot in about 30 minutes.

Check out our chickpea curry recipe.

Cauliflower curry

Cauliflower Curry with basmati rice

Cauliflower curry is a vegetable-packed dinner perfect for weeknights and weekends. The cauliflower gets so creamy you won’t believe it!

Check out our cauliflower curry recipe.

Tofu curry

Tofu curry recipe with white rice lemon wedge

Our quick and easy tofu curry is a great way to get plenty of plant protein with plenty of flavors. It’s easy to make with a few simple ingredients and in 30 minutes.

Check out our tofu curry recipe.

Thai-inspired sweet potato curry

Want to turn this Indian-inspired sweet potato curry into a Tahi variation? Easy, replace the spices with a store-bought Thai red curry paste.

A good one should include lemongrass, kaffir lime, red chili, galangal, garlic, cumin seeds, and powder in the ingredients list. You can find good ones online or in most Asian grocery stores.

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of Thai curry instead of the other spices and follow the instructions as per our recipe box below.

More curry recipes

If you haven’t noticed yet, we love curries! Here are some more of our favorites:

Storage

Make ahead: Sweet potato curry is a great meal prep recipe because the curry becomes more flavorful on the second and third days.

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Add a couple of tablespoons of water if the curry is too thick.

Freezer: sweet potato curry freezes well. Let it cool down completely at room temperature, then transfer it into a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw: in the microwave or the fridge over a few hours; reheat in the microwave with a couple of tablespoons of water stirred in.

sweet potato curry with lemon and parsley

More sweet potato recipes

If you love cooking with sweet potatoes, get fresh inspiration from these vibrant and wholesome recipes:

More meatless meals

Are you trying out a meatless Monday or looking for plant-based dinner ideas? Take a peek at these quick and easy meatless meals for some fun cooking inspiration:

For many more dinner ideas, check out our mains category page.

Sweet potato curry with rice and a lemon wedge

Sweet Potato Curry

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 16 votes
Sweet potato curry is an easy one-pot recipe where sweet potatoes are simmered in an Indian-inspired curry until they are creamy, tender, and aromatic.
You'll love this dish because it’s healthy, cozy, and perfect for meal prep. It’s delicious with fresh cilantro, fresh lime, and a dollop of yogurt.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian-Inspired

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • teaspoon turmeric powder optional
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander optional
  • teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas or 1½ cups of cooked chickpeas
  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into large bite-size chunks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala optional
  • serve it with squeezed lime or lemon, fresh cilantro, basmati rice, yogurt

Instructions 

  • Peel and cut 2 pounds sweet potatoes into large bite-size chunks.
    sweet potato cubes
  • Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot, then add 1 onion (chopped) and fry for 5 minutes.
    Add 3 cloves garlic (grated) and 1 teaspoon ginger (grated), and fry for 1 minute.
    Add 2 teaspoons curry powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon ground coriander, and ⅓ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
    Toast for 1 minute.
    spice mix roasting in a skillet
  • Add 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (drained), and the diced sweet potatoes.
    Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, and simmer for 20 minutes.
    chickpeas, potato and minced tomato
  • Add 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the curry is creamy.
    Turn the heat off, add 1 teaspoon garam masala and give it a final stir.
    Creamy and denser curry
  • Serve sweet potato curry on basmati rice with cilantro, lime, and a dollop of yogurt.
    sweet potato curry with white rice and yogurt

Video

Quick & Tasty Sweet Potato Curry

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate for one serving of sweet potato curry out of four servings, without rice.
STORAGE
Make ahead: Sweet potato curry is a great meal prep recipe because the curry becomes more flavorful on the second and third days.
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Add a couple of tablespoons of water if the curry is too thick.
Freezer: sweet potato curry freezes well. Let it cool down completely at room temperature, then transfer it into a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw: in the microwave or the fridge over a few hours; reheat in the microwave with a couple of tablespoons of water stirred in.
ALSO ON THIS PAGE

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal, Carbohydrates: 75g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Potassium: 1327mg, Dietary Fiber: 15g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 32473IU, Vitamin B6: 1mg, Vitamin C: 19mg, Vitamin E: 3mg, Vitamin K: 15µg, Calcium: 154mg, Folate: 144µg, Iron: 5mg, Manganese: 2mg, Magnesium: 115mg, Zinc: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below or mention @theplantbasedschool on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.

Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

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Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    OMG this curry was delicioso, made white rice and wow! Love it,just getting over a cold and the spices hit the spot, perfect, thank you

    1. Fantastic, Anna, I’m very happy you enjoyed the spice mix of this curry.

      Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment here. All the best,

      Louise

  2. So good, thank you for this recipe! I didn’t have coconut milk on hand so I combined almond milk with some greek yogurt (vegetarian, not vegan I know lol) Perfect warm dish for a cold day, and it seems like it will reheat well for a couple more meals.

    1. Hi Jo, that sounds like a wonderful alternative I’m very happy you liked the curry 🎉

      Thanks so much for your comment. Kindest,

      Louise

    1. You’re very welcome, Leigh, it’s our pleasure.

      I’m delighted that you enjoyed it. Have a great rest of your week!

      Kindest, Louise