Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)

This vegan chickpea curry (also known as chana masala) is always welcome as a last-minute meal. Add a fresh flatbread or a cooked grain and a simple salad for a nearly-instant dinner. While this particular Indian-stye chickpea curry recipe is simplified to the most basic preparation, it’s still delicious, thanks to the miracle of bottled Indian simmer sauce.

When it comes to creating the deliciously complex flavors of Indian cuisine, there’s no getting around the need for spices. But just dumping curry powder into a dish like this easy chickpea curry (chana masala) just doesn’t cut it. Indian simmer sauce comes to the rescue!

But what if, like me, you’re too lazy to roast and grind and mix and measure all the myriad spices that are needed to create the incredible flavors of Indian cuisine?

Indian simmer sauce, a shortcut to great flavor

Now you can do what I do — just grab a jar of Indian simmer sauce. This new favorite shortcut makes any dish you make taste like it came from a great Indian restaurant. It makes quick work of getting dinner on the table and is a lot more economical than getting take-out for three or four people.

Look for Indian simmer sauces in the Asian foods section in supermarkets and natural foods stores. Check labels to make sure you’re getting a vegan variety, as some do contain dairy. See some suggestions in the notes section of the recipe.

Serve this warming chickpea curry with a simple salad or a platter of raw veggies. Add a hot cooked grain if you’d like, as suggested in the recipe. Brown or white Basmati rice are ideal, or quinoa, if you’d like to depart from tradition.

What to serve with chickpea curry (chana masala)

• Add fresh flatbread: Splurge for a vegan naan if you can find some (otherwise very fresh pita will do) for to accompany this dish.
• And/or serve with rice: Plain cooked aromatic Basmati rice is a perfect companion. Or, go for a slightly embellished rice dish, like Simple Pomegranate Rice Pilaf or Spinach Lemon Rice with Fresh Herbs.
• Add a simple raita: Whatever you choose to serve with chickpea curry, an easy raita is always welcome. Make this relish-style salad with diced cucumber, tomato, coconut yogurt, and cilantro.

Explore more …

• Easy and tasty chickpea recipes
• Authentic-Tasting Recipes Using Indian Simmer Sauce
• Indian-Spiced Cauliflower and Chickpea Stew
• Quick Aloo Gobi

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Yield: 3 to 4

Super-Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)

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Using Indian simmer sauce makes any dish you make taste like it came from a restaurant — case in point, this super easy chickpea curry (chana masala).

Prep Time 7 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or other vegetable oil
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Two 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 15-ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes
• 12-ounce jar or container Indian simmer sauce (see Note)
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh or squeeze-bottle ginger
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, or more, to taste
• Hot cooked rice (delicious with Basmati), optional

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet or stir-fry pan. Add the garlic and sauté for a minute or two over low heat.
2. Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, simmer sauce, and ginger in to the pan and heat to a simmer. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the cilantro and serve over hot cooked grains if you'd like.

Notes

Indian simmer sauces are available in the Asian foods section of well-stocked supermarkets, and they are delicious! For this dish, some choices of dairy-free simmer sauces include Madras curry (which is fairly spicy) Goan coconut, rogan josh, and jalfrezi.

Photos above by Nesavinov/Bigstock 

See more easy vegan main dishes.