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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Sweet Potato Cauliflower Curry

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I like making this Sweet Potato Cauliflower Curry with cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. It is perfectly seasoned with Indian spices and comes together in 40 minutes as a main dish over rice or a side with a hearty stew or salad. This curry is healthy, vegan, and gluten-free while keeping the flavors rich and satisfying.

sweet potato cauliflower curry with sweet potatoes topped with cilantro, served on a white plate

I absolutely enjoy cauliflower and Indian cuisine. I usually roast cauliflower straight from the oven with a little salt and pepper, but I wanted to give it more flavor by turning it into a curry with sweet potatoes. This sweet potato cauliflower curry is a great option if you like dishes similar to my vegan biryani with cauliflower, for a plant-based Indian meal.

This curry is satisfying, tasty, and full of vitamins, fiber, and nutrients. I also make this dish as another alternative to my pav bhaji, a flavorful Indian vegetable dish that works as a lighter, nutrient-rich option. It is easy to prepare and works well for weeknight dinners when I want something flavorful.

I really enjoy this sweet potato cauliflower curry because it is easy to prepare and it makes it easy for my kids to enjoy healthy vegetables at dinner. One Saturday, I came home from running errands and realized I had less than an hour to make dinner before the kids got hungry. My kids were excited by the colorful vegetables, and even my husband appreciated the rich taste and flavor. It is such a relief to have a hearty, plant-based meal ready in 40 minutes that I know is nutritious and satisfying.

Roasting the cauliflower and sweet potatoes first gives them a natural sweetness and a tender texture that holds up in the curry. I start by toasting coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne before sautéing onions and ginger, which builds a deep layered flavor.

One weekend when we visited my parents, I brought this curry along and served it with brown rice and whole wheat naan. My family there loved the bite-sized pieces of cauliflower and sweet potato, and they asked for the recipe so they could make it at home. You can try this sweet potato cauliflower curry today and enjoy a quick, hearty, plant-based meal with your family.

🥘 Ingredients

These are the ingredients I use to make this roasted cauliflower curry flavorful, hearty, and easy to prepare.

Vegetables and Oil: The base ingredients for this recipe include cauliflower, sweet potatoes, chopped tomato, and diced red onion that I sauté in olive oil. I sometimes use coconut oil instead, or add other vegetables I enjoy, like red bell pepper, to mix things up.

Spices: The spices are what make this dish a must-try Indian curry. I use grated fresh ginger, coriander seeds (or ground coriander), cumin seeds, turmeric, salt, and cayenne pepper. I also like to experiment with garam masala, yellow curry powder, or my favorite curry powder blends when I am short on time. For a Thai twist, I sometimes add red curry paste to the mix.

🔪 How To Make

Here are the steps I follow to make this roasted cauliflower curry come together perfectly.

Roast the Cauliflower: I preheat the oven to 420 F and chop the cauliflower into bite-size pieces. I toss the florets in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, spread them on a sheet pan, and roast for 15 minutes.

Sauté Onions and Ginger: While the cauliflower is roasting, I heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. I add the onion and ginger and cook for about 4 minutes until they are soft and fragrant.

onions and ginger sauteeing in a pan

Toast the Spices: I stir in the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric, cayenne if using, and salt, then toast them for about 15 seconds on low heat to release their flavor.

spices added to pan with onion and ginger

Cook Tomatoes and Sweet Potatoes: I add the tomatoes and sweet potatoes to the pot and let the curry cook until the potatoes are tender, about 12 to 15 minutes.

tomatoes and sweet potatoes added to pan

Combine Cauliflower: I remove the roasted cauliflower florets from the oven and add them to the pot, stirring well to make sure everything is evenly combined.

cauliflower added to pan

Finishing Touches: I let the cauliflower cook with the rest of the ingredients in the pot until everything is warmed through. I like to top it with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving it warm.

closeup of cauliflower curry with sweet potatoes topped with cilantro, served on a white plate

My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to roast the cauliflower separately before adding it to the curry. I have found that this brings out a deeper nutty flavor and keeps the florets firm instead of mushy. Roasting also concentrates the natural sweetness of the cauliflower, which balances perfectly with the tender sweet potatoes and spices in the curry.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

  • Even Cuts: I always make sure to cut the cauliflower and sweet potatoes into even pieces. This helps them cook evenly and prevents some pieces from being mushy while others are undercooked.
  • Spice Toasting: I like to toast the spices in oil before adding the vegetables. This brings out their full flavor and makes the curry taste richer.
  • Sweet Potato Timing: I add the sweet potatoes a few minutes before the cauliflower. This way they have time to soften without falling apart by the end of cooking.
  • Stir Halfway Through: I give the vegetables a quick stir about halfway through roasting. This helps them brown evenly and prevents sticking to the pan. 

📖 Variations

Here are a few ways I like to change up this roasted cauliflower curry to add extra flavor, texture, or nutrients.

Chickpea Protein Boost: I add 1 cup of canned chickpeas to the curry. They make the dish more filling and add extra plant protein.

Spinach Green Add: I stir in 2 packed cups of fresh spinach at the end of cooking. It softens quickly and adds color and nutrients without changing the flavor much.

Creamy Coconut Milk Curry: I like adding 1 ½  cups of light coconut milk when I add the sweet potatoes to make this cauliflower coconut curry richer in flavor. I sometimes use full-fat coconut milk if I want the sauce to be extra creamy and indulgent.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

I like serving this roasted cauliflower curry with a side of my tofu fried rice since the fluffy grains soak up the sauce nicely. I also enjoy pairing it with my homemade buckwheat bread because it lets me scoop up the curry and adds a soft, slightly chewy texture. Both options help balance the rich flavors of the roasted vegetables and spices.

For a lighter meal, I sometimes serve the curry alongside my beetroot and feta salad to add a crisp, fresh contrast. A bowl of my quinoa oatmeal works well too, as the extra grains make the meal more filling while keeping the curry as the star of the plate.

🧊 Storage Directions

Refrigeration: I usually let the curry cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. In the fridge, it keeps well for about 3 to 4 days.

Freezing: Freezing this curry works nicely if I make a big batch. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and label them with the date. It stays good for up to 2 months. I make sure to leave a little space at the top of the container so the curry can expand as it freezes without spilling.

Reheating: When I reheat leftovers, I like to do it gently on the stove over medium heat. I add a splash of water or vegetable broth to loosen it up if the sauce has thickened. Stirring occasionally helps maintain the texture of the cauliflower and sweet potatoes so they stay tender but not mushy.

sweet potato cauliflower curry topped with cilantro, served on a white plate

❓Recipe FAQs

Why does my cauliflower get soggy instead of roasted?

When my cauliflower comes out soggy, I usually find that it was too crowded on the baking sheet or had excess moisture from washing. I fix this by cutting the florets into similar sizes, drying them thoroughly, and giving them plenty of space on the sheet. Roasting at a high temperature ensures they turn golden and slightly crispy on the edges, which really brings out their natural sweetness.

What can I do if my sweet potatoes cook unevenly?

Uneven cooking happens when the sweet potato pieces are too large or not cut uniformly. Some pieces cook faster than others, leaving me with a mix of mushy and undercooked chunks. I prevent this by cutting the sweet potatoes into evenly sized cubes, around one-inch pieces, and tossing them with a little oil and seasoning before roasting, which helps them cook consistently alongside the cauliflower.

How do I prevent the sweet potatoes from falling apart while roasting?

Sweet potatoes can become mushy if they are cut too small or roasted at too low a temperature. I make sure to cut them into evenly sized cubes and roast them alongside the cauliflower at a high temperature. I also toss them in a light coating of oil and spices, which helps them hold their shape while developing a caramelized exterior.

forkful of roasted cauliflower curry with sweet potatoes topped with cilantro, served on a white plate

Love this plant based indian recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page!

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📋 Recipe Card

roasted cauliflower curry with sweet potatoes topped with cilantro, served on a white plate with a fork
Print Recipe
5 from 13 votes

Sweet Potato Cauliflower Curry

I like making this Sweet Potato Cauliflower Curry with cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. It is perfectly seasoned with Indian spices and comes together in about 40 minutes as a main dish over rice or a side with a hearty stew or salad. This curry is healthy, vegan, and gluten-free while keeping the flavors rich and satisfying.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 167kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 420 F. Chop cauliflower into bite size pieces. Toss in 1 tbsp of olive oil. Place on sheet pan, and roast for 15 minutes.
  • While cauliflower is roasting add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ginger and cook for 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric, cayenne if using, and salt and toast for 15 seconds. Then add the tomatoes and sweet potatoes, and cook until they are tender, about 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Remove cauliflower from oven and add to the pot stirring well to combine.

Notes

  • My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to roast the cauliflower separately before adding it to the curry. I have found that this brings out a deeper, nutty flavor and keeps the florets firm instead of mushy. Roasting also concentrates the natural sweetness of the cauliflower, which balances perfectly with the tender sweet potatoes and spices in the curry.
  • Even Cuts: I always make sure to cut the cauliflower and sweet potatoes into even pieces. This helps them cook evenly and prevents some pieces from being mushy while others are undercooked.
  • Spice Toasting: I like to toast the spices in oil before adding the vegetables. This brings out their full flavor and makes the curry taste richer.
  • Sweet Potato Timing: I add the sweet potatoes a few minutes before the cauliflower. This way they have time to soften without falling apart by the end of cooking.
  • Stir Halfway Through: I give the vegetables a quick stir about halfway through roasting. This helps them brown evenly and prevents sticking to the pan. 
  • Resting Flavor: I let the curry sit for a few minutes after cooking. I have found that the flavors deepen and mix together while it rests, making the dish taste even better.

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.3g | Protein: 5.4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 653mg | Potassium: 847mg | Fiber: 7.2g | Sugar: 6.5g

40 responses to “Sweet Potato Cauliflower Curry”

    • Hi! You can leave out the tomato, and if you’re using regular cumin you may just need to adjust the quantity to taste!

  1. I love cauliflower curry, but I’ve never tried it with sweet potato before! Excellent idea and I’ll definitely give it a go this week!

  2. Anjali, the recipe was loved by my family and some friends whom I shared the curry with. Love the texture difference between the sweet potato and the cauliflower.5 stars

5 from 13 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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