Creamy sweet potato curry with spinach! This is a healthy curry recipe that is vegan (dairy-free), and easy to make in 1-pot on the stove top OR in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker). I have included the instructions for both! It’s a wonderful comfort meal for dinner which is also great for meal prep.
Coconut Sweet Potato Curry
Hey friends, I have another sweet potato recipe for you. Since you guys loved my Sweet Potato Muffins and also the Sweet Potato Pizza Crust recipe, I thought you would also like a creamy Sweet Potato Curry. This delicious curry with spinach is currently my favorite vegan dinner meal because:
- It’s so comforting, flavorful, and delicious.
- This vegan dinner is healthy, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- It’s quick and easy and can be made in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker) or on the stove top.
How To Make Sweet Potato Curry?
There are less than 10 steps involved to make this creamy curry. If you want to serve the curry with rice, cook the rice first. Then chop the sweet potatoes, the onion, mince the garlic cloves, and the fresh ginger. Prepare all your spices and the remaining ingredients. It’s important to have everything readily available if you want to make the curry in the Instant Pot.
Then you’ll need to cook everything for about 15 minutes in one pot (check the recipe notes for the Instant Pot instructions). It’s really easy and doesn’t take too long.
Healthy Ingredients
This coconut sweet potato curry contains simple and healthy ingredients that you probably already have at home. I chose to add spinach for extra nutrients. You could also use kale instead of spinach. Most of the ingredients are spices that will turn your kitchen into an Indian restaurant.
There is also passata and coconut milk in this recipe. Coconut milk is a must in curries, in my opinion. If you are allergic to coconut or don’t like the taste, you could use cashew milk instead. However, the curry will turn out less creamy (except if you use cashew cream).
You can also add cooked chickpeas or lentils to make the curry even more delicious and protein-rich. Serve this delicious coconut curry with rice or naan bread.
Instant Pot Curry
This recipe can be made in ONE pot on the stove top OR in an Instant Pot. Both work fine and I have included instructions for both methods in the recipe notes. It’s even easier in an Instant Pot because you can simply leave it alone for a while. Set and forget.
Does it keep?
Yes, it keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat curry leftovers in a pot on the stove top the next day. This recipe is also freezer friendly (freezes well for up to 3 months). The sweet potato curry is also a wonderful recipe for meal prep.
You will love the recipe because it is:
- Vegan (dairy-free)
- Healthy
- Creamy
- Rich
- Satisfying
- Comforting
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Can be made in one pot on the stove top or in the Instant Pot
Tips For This Sweet Potato Curry Recipe
- Serve it with Jasmine rice, Basmati rice, quinoa or naan.
- Double the batch and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days (or freeze for up to 3 months).
- Use kale instead of spinach for a delicious variation.
- Add cooked chickpeas (cooked from dry or canned) or lentils for extra protein.
Should you recreate this tasty creamy curry recipe, please leave a comment below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see your remakes! Also, if you love curry recipes make sure to check out my Chickpea Eggplant Curry and my Vegetable Curry with Pineapple.
Sweet Potato Curry
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) sweet potatoes (about 2 medium) peeled and chopped into 3 cm pieces
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach
- 1/2 tbsp oil or water (if oil-free)
- 1 medium (100 g) onion chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 2- inch (5 cm) fresh ginger minced
- 1/2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 3/4 tsp salt or less/more to taste
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes use less if you don't like it too spicy
- 1/4 tsp black pepper or less/more to taste
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 1/3 cup (320 ml) coconut milk canned
- 1 cup (250 g) passata (tomato sauce)
- One 15 oz can of chickpeas rinsed and drained (optional)
- Fresh herbs to garnish e.g. parsley, cilantro
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions:
- Check the recipe notes for the Instant Pot instructions and to watch the video!
- If you want to serve this sweet potato curry with rice, cook the rice first as per the instructions on the package.
- Heat oil in a pot over medium heat and add the onion. Sauté for about 3 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and fresh ginger and sauté for a further 1 minute. Add all spices and stir again.
- Next, add the passata, the sweet potato chunks, and the coconut milk.
- Give it another stir, and bring to a boil. Let simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the sweet potato chunks are fork tender and the curry thickened. Optional: You can now add cooked chickpeas for additional protein.
- Finally, stir in the spinach and let simmer until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. Add more salt/pepper/red pepper flakes, etc. to taste.
- Serve over rice of choice or with naan bread. Enjoy warm!
Notes
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Add the oil to the Instant Pot and press the "SAUTE" button.
- Add the onion and sauté for about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and fresh ginger and sauté for a further 1 minute. Add all spices and stir again.
- Next, add the passata, the sweet potato chunks, and the coconut milk.
- Close and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on "MANUAL" for 2 minutes. Once the time is up, quick release.
- Carefully open the lid. Optional: You can now add cooked chickpeas for additional protein.
- Stir in the spinach and let simmer until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. Add more salt/pepper/red pepper flakes, etc. to taste.
- Serve with rice or naan and garnish with fresh herbs (cilantro or parsley for example). Enjoy!
- Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving (without rice and chickpeas).
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photos:
This is delicious!!! It’s spicy but creamy and such great comfort food on a snowy day, here in Maryland. This will be made at our house often! Chickpeas were a nice touch, too. Thanks for a great recipe.
You are very welcome, Tara! So glad you liked it. 🙂
WOW! Super delish!! I subbed my home-grown sugar pumpkins and home-made almond milk. Then served over angel hair bean pasta. I’ll be making this often!
Sounds amazing, Trish! Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
LOVED this recipe! Also struggle to make nice curries and this one was really easy and so nice! Added in some green beans at the end too which was nice! Partner and I recently went veggie so this was a really good meal! Really recommend giving it a go!
Hi Mickey, I am glad you both enjoyed the curry! Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
was looking for sweet potato recipes and came across this. Was quite good. most of my curry recipes have cream or yogurt in them, but this didn’t need it. no chickpeas, but I topped with chopped cashews. Next time will add some chick peas!
Glad you liked it, Carol. 🙂
One of the best curry recipes I’ve tried! I added white beans for protein and fresh chopped basil at the end. Delicious!
That’s wonderful! I am so glad you loved it. 🙂
I have made this several times, not just because it’s quick and easy and instant pot friendly but it is so delicious. Tried chickpeas with it and it was just as good also added tofu and still delicious going to try lentils with it next. One of my favorite dishes to make. Thank you for this recipe.
That’s awesome, Jan! Thanks for your great feedback. 🙂
This curry is amazing!! It was the first recipe I’ve ever tried in my Instant Pot (3qt) and despite getting a burn notice, it still turned out absolutely perfect. Thank you for the great recipe Ela!
You are very welcome, Rachel. 🙂
Absolutely delicious!!!
Happy you liked it, Ana Maria. 🙂
This was delicious and super easy to make! I included chickpeas which went really well with the sweet potato and I found that the spices were really well balanced. I’ll definitely be remaking this.
Awesome! I am so glad you liked it, Keta. Thanks for your lovely feedback. 🙂
Truly an excellent recipe, it was pretty easy to make, and came out wonderfully! Exactly what I needed after a long day’s work, thank you.
Thanks so much for your wonderful feedback, Jake. 🙂
Fantastic! I made it in my instant pot. Used tomato sauce that was open and frozen spinach that I cooked last night, added chick peas and it was fantastic. I did have my first burn error but it was user error. I left the onions on too long and then put the spices in before the liquids. Next time I may heat the spices in a separate pan. It was incredibly yummy. Went back for seconds. Also made brown rice.
Thank you!
That’s wonderful! I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for your thorough feedback. 🙂
Did you put the frozen spinach in with the sweet potato or at the end? I don’t have fresh on hand, thanks!
Hi, I would definitely add it with the sweet potato. 🙂
Yummy goodness!!! I am an omnivore trying to go more Blue Zone diet. Winner for how quick it came together. Champion because it was instantpot quick!!!
Yay, I am so glad it turned out great! Thanks for your great feedback. 🙂
Oh my gosh I made it and added bell peppers and serrano pepper. My husband came in the kitchen and was telling me it was so good. Thank you for the recipe
Aww, that’s awesome! I am so glad you both enjoyed it. Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
Omg it was so good
I did it the first time with spinach
And the second time I made it with kale
It was sooo good almost liked the kale more than with spinach if you like you should try it out 👌🏼☺️☺️
Sounds awesome! Thanks for your great feedback, Pamela. 🙂
Спасибо, большое, з чудесные рецепты! Все очень подробно, понятно! Чувствуется Ваша любовь к людям!
Thanks for your kind comment, Tatiana! 🙂
Hello,
Made this two weeks ago and it was delicious! Now my family is asking for it again. Such a hit.
Aww that’s awesome, Shari. 🙂
Amazing!! I substituted the coconut milk with homemade cashew milk.
Sounds lovely! Thanks for your feedback 🙂
This turned out super well! I didn’t have fresh ginger so I omitted it, and subbed tomato paste (1/4 cup + 1/4 cup water) for the tomato sauce. Served over basmati rice with some roasted broccoli on the side 🙂 It was super yummy, will make again!
I am glad it turned out amazing, Alicia. 🙂
This looks good, it’s good to see an authentic curry rather than just curry powder.
PS in your cooking tips you have written Yasmin rice, did you mean Jasmine rice? Just in case it was a typo.
Loving your collection or recipes 🙌
Hi Nancy! Yes, it was a typo. Thanks for letting me know!
I am glad you love my recipes. 🙂
This was so delicious, Ela! Perfect comfort food for a snowy winter evening. Thank you for your wonderful recipes.
You are very welcome, Kristen. I am glad you liked the recipe. 🙂
The best curry dish, I served with cashew nuts and rice.
Sounds amazing, Trudy! Thanks so much for your great feedback. 🙂
This recipe was very tasty. We made it with the instant pot, however, it took 15 minutes to cook the sweet potatoes in the instapot, not 2 minutes like the recipe said. Was that a typo?
Not a typo, Lauren! The actual pressure-cooking time is 2 minutes. Of course, it takes a while until it starts cooking.
I agree my pressure cooker builds up pressure then counted down 2 min. 2 min was not enough time. I the potatoes were too hard still had to put it back on for 10 more min
If you to add the lentils, can these be uncooked?
Please use cooked lentils or chickpeas. 🙂
So simple in the Instant Pot! I added kale and chickpeas and it was absolutely delicious. I actually halved the ginger because a 2″ section seemed like a lot, and I thought maybe other ginger nubs are thinner. Ha! One question for anyone who has done the IP version–when I turned it to pressure to cook the potatoes, it gave the “burn” warning just before the two minute timer went off. When I opened it, it did have a little bit burnt to the bottom. It ended up being inconsequential, but just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience?
I am glad you liked the recipe, Jarratt! I never got the burn message. 🙂
If I want to add tofu to this, would I do it at the beginning when the potatoes go in?
Do you mean raw tofu or baked/fried tofu? If raw, you can add it at the beginning, if you cook it separately, I would add it at the end. 🙂
Oh my….Oh my ….I just made this beautiful delicious sweet potato curry for my lunch week. I hope to contain myself before having it for lunch. Thanks for the recipe.
You are very welcome, Monique! So thrilled you enjoyed the recipe. 🙂
This is the 3rd or 4th recipe of yours I’ve made and while they’ve all been great, this is definitely my favorite! I didn’t have passata so I puréed a can of diced tomatoes instead. I’m not sure if that was an appropriate substitution or not, but the end result was still fantastic! I also opted for adding chickpeas. Thanks for such a great weeknight recipe! Keep them coming! ?
It was definitely a good substitution. 🙂 I am glad you loved this recipe and also the others. Thanks for your great feedback, Emma. 🙂
I would like to try this with my instant pot how we I do not have a manual cooking setting. Which program should I press instead ?perhaps slow cook ?
Hi Dennise, as far as I know, the “Manual” button is the same as the “Pressure Cook” button. Hope this helps. 🙂
Yes it does. Thank you ??❤️???
I was wondering the same rhing… manual pressure cook? On high or low?
My Instant Pot only has one “Manual” button (I can’t choose between low or high) but I guess I would choose high!
Such a great and simple recipe! I used pumpkin and kale instead of sweet potato and spinach (and added the kale a little sooner) and it turned out so good. Usually curries give me a hard time because I seem to never get them right but not this one.
Thank you for your great recipes!
That’s awesome, Gretchen! Thanks so much for your wonderful feedback! 🙂
Thank you for this amazing recipe! I’ve made other curries before, but this one has been the best yet! Simple to make, yet full of flavor and very tasty.
That’s incredible! Thanks so much for your great feedback, Kiki! 🙂
Thank you Ela for the amazing recipes! The recipe is wonderful. I have cooked it twice this week. I added also chilly. I love it. Greetings from Greece.
Sounds amazing! Thanks so much for your great feedback and greetings to Greece. 🙂
I am an instant pot newbie. This recipe is so quick and absolutely delicious. So full of flavor and creaminess. I will be making this often.
I am glad you liked the recipe, Diane! Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
Made this last night and it was so wonderful! Meat loving husband and two year old approved! Definitely adding this one to the dinner rotation!
That’s awesome, Jasmine! I am so happy you all liked the recipe. 🙂
This looks amazing, Ela! Can’t wait to try it out. If I’m avoiding nightshades like tomatoes, do you have a recommended alternative for the tomato sauce ingredient?
You can try out my other curry/dal recipe here: https://elavegan.com/red-lentil-dahl/
Instead of carrot, you could use sweet potato! Hope this helps. 🙂
This is amazing! I really love sweet potato but it is just so hard to chop, who needs an arm workout when they can just chop sweet potatos XD
Simple and tasty
Glad you liked the recipe. 🙂
I will definitely do that tomorrow! Can you tell me please if i can use frozen spinach instead of fresh? Will it work? Thanks for replying! Greetings from Cyprus!
Good question! I think I would let it thaw first. I always use fresh, so I don’t have experience with frozen! 🙂
I made this recipe for me and my husband for dinner. I’m not a huge fan of sweet potato so I couldn’t have a huge portion of it at dinner, but I thought the dish tasted delicious (much more than I thought it would be, because I usually suck at cooking with curry)! I love the fact you are so meticulous and precise with the amount of spices one should use, I’m quite unexperient with working with them and I’m always unsure how it’s gonna turn out, but this time it was spot on!
It’s the second recipe I use from your blog, and it will certainly NOT be the last time I do it.
Thank you for helping us having more “vegan” meals on our everyday life for us who are not vegan or vegetarian but who will avoid eating so much meat 🙂
This comment makes me so happy! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback, I really appreciate it. 🙂
Oh my gosh, I made this today and shared with my friend and my daughter. We all LOVED it. So much goodness!
Thank you for all you do to make cooking and eating fun.
You are very welcome, Cindy! I am glad you liked the recipe. 🙂
I made this last night and had to use all my willpower not to eat the whole batch. DELICIOUS!
Haha sounds awesome! Thanks so much for your great feedback, Elena! 🙂
Really good flavor! Maybe a tiny bit too much cumin and ginger. Also we did the Instant Pot method and it didn’t build up pressure and therefore the potatoes weren’t fully cooked. I’m wondering if it’s because of when you add the coconut milk. Anyone else have this issue?
My daughter is vegan and I’m vegetarian so we’re always looking for great recipes and this did not disappoint! Thanks for a great, flavor packed recipe ❤️
I am very glad you both liked the recipe! 🙂
Forgot to rate it. 🙂
This was delicious. Didn’t change a thing. Thank you for an awesome recipe.
You are very welcome, Dolly! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for your comment and rating. 🙂
Love sweet potato curry! One of my favorite recipes ❤️
Thank you! I love it as well. 🙂
Made this last night on stovetop….The lord is my shephard and he knooows what I want…
I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be this good.
I raise my glass to you.
Aww, thank you! Such a sweet comment. 😀
Absolutely loved this dish. I added in some extra carrot and potato, definitely will be adding this to my cook book! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Very glad you liked the recipe, Ali. 🙂
I made your curry as directed and it was incredible.
I love the use of all the spices you use in your recipes..
My husband is not a vegan but loves the dishes of yours I put with his meat and fish dishes and also he doesn’t mind no meat now eighter as your recipes are so yummy and satisfying.
Cheers and thanks you .
Nicky
Love your feedback, Nicky! It’s so helpful for other readers and I am super happy you both love my recipes. Thanks! 🙂
It’s delicious!!! I made it in a pan, but kept it longer, for about 25 – 30 minutes, because the potatoes wouldn’t soften. So now it’s not as creamy, but definetly tastes Amazing.
Thanks for your feedback, Adriana! You could chop the sweet potato into smaller pieces next time, and they will cook faster. 🙂
We thought this was quite delicious. We added some cauliflower, which worked well. The prep and cooking time were both much longer than the recipe indicated – maybe I am just a slow chopper. We also used about half as much coconut milk and added vegetable broth instead. It still thickened up nicely.
Thanks for your feedback, Laura! 🙂
Hi Ela,
I made the sweet potato curry using the stove top method. I added cauliflower and Zuchhini. The spices are amazing. I overcooked the sweet potato a little. Very happy with the ease and the description on how to make this dish.
All your recipes appear basic for new vegans and are very easy to understand (im a new vegan). I am finding the flavours absolutely astounding and I never knew plant based food could be this AMAZING.
Thank you for your blog.
Krizzy Lybear
Wow, thanks for your wonderful feedback, Krizzy! I am so glad you like my recipes. 🙂
Danke für dieses einfache und so leckere Rezept.! Mein 2jähriger liebt Süsskartoffeln und es war einfach perfekt vorzubereiten. Mittlerweile bin ich 100% vegan, auch dank Dir, liebe Ela. Durch deine Rezepte inspirierst du und machst die Welt ein bisschen besser! Danke und bis bald?
Wie schön, das freut mich sehr! Danke für deinen lieben Kommentar! 🙂
This curry was absolutely delicious! I didn’t have passata at home but replaced it with pureed fresh tomatoes and it tasted amazing. Thank you for another fantastic recipe!
Wonderful! You are right, it’s totally possible to use pureed tomatoes or tomato sauce. Thanks for your great feedback, Sam! 🙂
Easily one of my new favorite dishes to make and eat <3 I absolutely love it
That makes me so happy, Marla! Thanks for your great feedback. 🙂
This just sounds absolutely heavenly!! I’m obsessed with sweet potato, but never thought to have it in curry (which is another meal I just adore!). Cannot wait to try this, Ela! Love that color too!
Thank you, Britt! You should definitely give it a try soon. 🙂
Yum! Sweet potato curry is always a success at home and your version looks delicious!
It’s going to be perfect for after summer 🙂
Thanks! I like to eat it throughout the year, not only in summer. 🙂
It was delicious! A big hug from Ecuador! I love your recipes! Thank you!
I am so glad you loved the sweet potato curry! Thanks for your great feedback, Juana! 🙂
We loved this meal. So simple to make and everyone loved it. Even fussy 9 year old. Thank you for another easy to prepare meal. It is going into our collection.
Thank you, Bernie! I am glad everyone loved the recipe. 🙂
I love easy instant pot recipes! Looks amazing Ela!
Thank you, Jess! 🙂
I made this tonight for me and my 8 year old very picky eater. I used kale over spinach and made it in my Instant Pot. It was quick and easy and my son devoured it! It was fantastic!! Creamy and flavorful and filling. I will definitely be making this often! So good!
Wonderful! I am so glad you and your kid loved the recipe. Thanks for your great feedback, Heather! 🙂