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This easy apple curry blends coconut milk, curry powder, and tart green apples for a creamy, spicy, savory, slightly sweet curry – A quick, cozy, comforting, flavor-packed vegan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’m usually tossing apples into cozy fall bakes like vegan apple pie or vegan apple crumble, but this coconut milk apple curry (apple sabzi) proves they’re just as tasty in savory dishes. It’s creamy, spicy, tangy, and just a little sweet, thanks to tart green apples and rich coconut milk (also used in my bean sprout curry and coconut curry soup!).
The spices bring warmth and depth, while apples keep things bright for a weird-but-wonderful combination that just works. Even better, it’s oil-free, budget-friendly, and simple to make —perfect for quick weeknight dinners and sharing with friends. Use your favorite curry powder (Indian, Trini, or Sri Lankan!) to make it your own, and even bulk it up with veggies or protein. It’s warm, cozy comfort food with a fruit twist!
Looking for more cozy vegan curries? Try my easy tofu vegetable coconut curry, quick eggplant curry, or thick and hearty chickpea lentil curry.
Ingredient Notes
Please refer to the recipe card for the FULL list of ingredients and substitutes.
Recipe Variations
- Protein: Like crispy pan-fried tofu, tempeh, seitan, chickpeas, vegan sausage, etc.
- More spice: Add red pepper flakes and/or chili/cayenne powder.
- Spices: Add depth with a pinch of garam masala, cumin, cinnamon, mustard seeds, and/or cardamom. 1-2 bay leaves (removed before serving) also add savory depth.
- Nut butter: Stir in some almond butter or cashew butter for richness.
- Vegetables: Bulk up curried apples with 1-2 veggies like potato, zucchini, squash, bell pepper, cauliflower, baby corn, eggplant, spinach, etc.
How to Make Apple Curry
Step 1: First, core and dice the apple, finely dice the onion, and mince the garlic (and ginger if using fresh). Sauté the onion and garlic in a large pot over medium heat until translucent. If they stick, add a splash of water to deglaze.
Step 2: Add the apple and cook until softened, then stir in the curry powder, turmeric, and ginger powder and stir thoroughly for 60 seconds.
Step 3: Stir in the coconut milk, sugar, shredded coconut (if using), and soy sauce.
Step 4: Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season the apple curry with salt and pepper to taste, then serve warm, garnished with parsley. Enjoy!
FAQs
I don’t, as the peel helps hold the slices together. However, feel free to peel the apple for a softer texture.
I prefer crisp, slightly tart red or green apple curry, though any firm sweet-tart to tart apples work well. Cooking apples do work, too, but become softer and break down more in the curry.
Sure – though it may be a little TOO creamy without subbing some with broth or water.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Adjust creaminess: Prefer a lighter curry? Use lite coconut milk or sub some with broth/water. Creamier curry? Use full-fat coconut milk/cream.
- Don’t cut the apple too small: Or it’s more likely to disintegrate into the curry, becoming more like curried applesauce (though still delicious!).
- Use firm apples: To avoid them fully disintegrating into the curry.
- For stronger curry flavor: Adjust the amount of curry powder used.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice (brown rice (how to cook brown rice), basmati, etc. Quinoa also works well.
- Naan (I use homemade vegan naan – or other Indian bread like roti or chapati)
- Protein (I like it with crispy pan-fried tofu or vegan chick’n)
- Salad (like vegan cucumber raita, a simple side salad, etc.)
Storage Instructions
Store: In an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freeze: For up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers/ziplocks, then thaw in fridge overnight. Note, apples will be softer upon thawing the apple curry.
Reheat: On the stove or in a microwave until piping hot. Add a splash of water if it’s too thick.
More Vegan Curry Recipes
Vegan Dinners
Brussels Sprouts Curry
Vegan Dinners
Perfect Potato and Pea Coconut Curry
Vegan Dinners
Cauliflower and Potato Curry (Aloo Gobi)
Vegan Dinners
Butternut Squash Curry
If you tried this creamy apple curry recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Creamy Apple Curry
Video
Ingredients
- ½ large yellow onion chopped
- 1 to 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium Fuji apple diced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- Pinch of ground ginger
- Dash of turmeric
- 1 (13.5-ounce) can of light coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or sweetner of choice)
- 1 tablespoon shredded coconut (optional)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium-large pot over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion and garlic. If they start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.
- Once the onion is translucent, add the diced apple. Cook until the apple softens, then stir in the curry powder, ginger, and turmeric until everything is well coated.
- Pour in the coconut milk, then add the sugar, shredded coconut (if using), and soy sauce. Stir to combine.
- Bring the curry to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with parsley if desired.
Can this be made ahead and frozen or will it get too mushy?
Hi! We at Plant-Based on a Budget haven’t tried making it ahead and freezing it so we can’t guarantee the results when you defrost. If you try it out, please let us know how it goes 🙂
Simple and easy to prepare .. in addition they’re healthy dishes
So glad you enjoyed it! Love the healthy ones that are still super delicious!
Gotta love the easy ones!
Hi Shannon, This looks so warming and inviting. Plant sausage isn’t my thing, but I am making a batch of lemon pepper tempeh today. Do you thing that would mesh or clash with the ingredients? It is cold and damp in Virginia today, so I am looking forward to making this curry! Thanks.
That sounds like a yummy duo! Let us know if you end up giving it a go 🙂