Tender black beans and spinach are simmered in rich coconut milk and Indian spices in this bowl-licking delicious spicy black bean curry.
This blog definitely has some favorites as far as recipe types are concerned. There are just some varieties of meals that are so good I feel like I'll never be at a loss for ingredients and flavor combinations. I've definitely got a thing for stir-fries. Granola is another repeat offender. Curries, however, probably have the reigning top spot. It's hard to go wrong with veggies simmered in rich spicy broth, especially when that broth involves coconut milk.
I also have a tendency to get fixated on a favorite ingredient and stick with it for a while, and black beans have been making frequent appearances lately. I think my sweet potato kick of the last couple months might have led to this, because sweet potatoes and black beans are generally a winning combination. Anyhow, black beans are here to stay, or at least hang around and show up in lots of my blog posts, for a while.
I had a black bean curry a few weeks ago at a new-to-me Indian restaurant. I always try and order something unfamiliar when dining outside my usual establishments, and this place had a black bean curry on the menu, which is something I'd never tried before. Apparently it achieved the desired result (being new recipe inspiration) because here I am sharing my own black bean curry, and wondering where this deliciousness has been all my life.
My black bean curry is quite a bit different from the one I had a few weeks ago. I added spinach for one, just because I generally like to balance out rich dishes like this one with some veggies, and I always like the combination of spinach and black beans. I also went with coconut milk for the base, which makes this dish incredibly rich and filling. I almost wanted to stuff this one into a burrito, as the beans are a bit reminiscent of Latin American fare, but I didn't because one bowl of this atop rice was about as much as I could handle.
This is definitely a new favorite, and after making it I'm pretty hopeless as far as concluding my black bean kick, as I'm certain I'll be making it again and again.
📖 Recipe
Spinach, Coconut & Black Bean Curry
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 serrano pepper, minced
- 2 (14 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
- Pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Cooked basmati rice, for (I cooked mine with a pinch of turmeric)
Instructions
- Coat a large skillet with oil and place it over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and serrano pepper. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucen, about 5 minutes.
- Add the beans and lime juice. Flip a few times to incorporate and cook for 2 minutes. Lightly mash about half of beans with a fork or potato masher. Add the coconut milk, broth, garam masala, coriander, cardamom and cayenne. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat. Allow to simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, adding a bit of water if it becomes too thick.
- Stir in the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide among bowls or plates. Serve with rice and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
Notes
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Delicious. I added diced sweet potato. It just felt like it was calling for it!
The most refreshing tasting curry I have had and so easy to make.
The recipe states 1/4 cup of cilantro, chopped, plus more for serving. Does the 1/4 cup go in during the cooking and if so at what point? Looking forward to trying this dish. It sounds delicious. 😄
Sorry about that! It can all go on top, just before serving. Enjoy!
Absolutely delicious. Thank you for this recipe! I made it last night for my partner as a test. I'm serving it to six dinner guests tomorrow night. That kind of says it all don't you think? .👍
This was great! Super filling, super easy, and delicious. We've added it to our rotating recipe list for vegetarian recipes!
This recipe inspired me to use up the cauliflower curry soup I have in the freezer. Since my husband has determined he absolutely cannot have a meal without meat, that will be a sauce over the seared chicken with your black beans and basmati rice on the side, minus the cilantro, which he doesn't like. Thank you for sharing!
Very welcome! I hope you and your husband both enjoy it!!
I literally just made this and had to comment because YUM! Super tasty, like a gorgeous hearty dhaal almost! Really lovely blend of flavours with the ginger and cardomom. Love it!!! :D
Yay! I'm so glad you like it! Thanks Claire!!
This was a hit even with the meat lovers of the family. Thanks!
Yay! So glad to hear that!
Just lovely as is!
I'm glad you like it!
This recipe is delicious! I omitted the cilantro (because I hate that stuff) and used copious amounts of frozen spinach (because that's what I had available and I love spinach!). So good I'm making it for the second time in two weeks. Thanks!
Wonderful! I'm so glad you like it! Thanks Laura!
Really want to make this recipe, it looks so good! I can't seem to find ground cardamom, would either green or black cardamom pods work?
Either should work just fine if you grind them up yourself! Do you have a mortar & pestle? That's probably the easiest way to go about it.
I did not have cardamom, so I left it out-it was still delicious!
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi!!
I just wanted to let you know that i found this recipe a while back, and I have been making it for dinner at least once or twice every week even since, I just had it again two days ago along with basmati rice, it tastes AMAZING!! I think I'll be making this for the rest of my life lol!
Yay!! I'm so glad it's become a favorite! Thanks so much for letting me know!
I Googled spinach and black beans one night because that was about all I had in the house and I didn't feel like shopping. This recipe popped up, and it is our new favorite! We like it with naan instead of rice. It's earned a permanent spot in the dinner rotation. Thank you!!!
I'm so happy to hear that!! Thanks so much Chelsey!
This is one of my favorites! I love to add whatever’s on hand, like potatoes, mushrooms, etc. Sooooo good!!!
I'm so happy to hear that! You can really add in all kinds of veggies! Thanks Madison!
Weird question, but where did you get that amazing wooden spoon?
It was a gift that my mom picked up at a Wegmans supermarket! :)
This was amazing! So tasty, delicious and easy to make. We loved it! Thank you!!
Yay!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for this tasty dinner recipe! I substituted a dried chili pepper and some curry instead of garam masala, served it over rice with fresh tomatoes and avocado and it was easy and relish, and i am not vegan! Yay!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks Regina!
This looks amazing-thank you. Just a question, you do not mention whether full fat or light coconut milk.....would it be fine for either?
I used full fat, but I think light would work too!
Just made this tonight with a side of garlic-sautéed bok choy. My husband liked the bean curry a lot. He is my meat eater. Thank you for pleasing the omnivore. :-)
Yay!! I'm glad this was a hit!!
This..... Was delicious and enough for lunch today. It was easy to make. We had it with rice, banana and coconut raita, Plum chutney and pappadums.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, and those all sound like awesome additions. :)
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I made it last night and it was so delicious! So often when i make curries, they end up being not great because there are so many spices - the flavors get lost. This was simple, straightforward, and awesome. And easy! This is going in regular rotation. Thanks again!
Looks amazing! Will definitely try this recipe out!! :)
http://lucylikespineapple.blogspot.co.uk/
Awesome! I hope you love it as much as I did!
Coconut milk and black beans and rice? I have quite possibly just found a new obsession!!!
What a hit! I work as a Carer and made this for the family I look after.....they raved about it, it was delishussss, thankyou so much for sharing.
Yay! So glad to hear everyone enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know! :)
This was amazing and easy! It was so flavorful you'd think it had been simmering all day. I can't wait to try some more of your recipes!
Mmm ...love this idea! Curries are so comforting; this looks like a quick and easy weeknight meal!
I always love your curry recipes. Each one is so unique and tasty! Really love the black beans in this one.