Lunch & Dinner Recipes, Recipes
Easy Vegetarian Green Tomato Curry Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
This easy green tomato curry recipe is ready in just 30 minutes. It’s packed with plant-based protein from red lentils. Learn how to make this flavourful vegetarian curry using fresh green tomatoes, plus get tips for customizing it with your favourite vegetables.
When it’s 5 p.m. and dinner needs to be ready quickly, this vegetarian green tomato curry is such a hearty and flavourful plant-based meal.
What is Green Tomato Curry?
Green tomato curry is a quick vegetarian curry made with tangy green tomatoes, red lentils, and aromatic spices. This Indian-inspired dish transforms garden green tomatoes into a creamy, protein-packed meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
When most people think of green tomatoes, their minds drift toward the crispy, golden-fried slices that have become a beloved staple of Southern cuisine. But there’s another way to celebrate these tart, unripe gems that’s equally delicious and far more unexpected: currying them.
Green tomatoes bring a unique brightness to curry dishes that their ripe red counterparts simply can’t match. Their firm texture holds up beautifully during cooking, and their natural acidity cuts through rich, creamy sauces while complementing the warm spices that define curry.
This green tomato curry recipe comes together quickly for lunch or dinner. Yet, it always tastes so flavourful, as if I spent hours carefully stirring this over the stove. This is mostly due to the rich blend of spices I’m using to season it. I love quick curries and stir-fries, which are often just a mishmash of whatever vegetables I happen to have in the fridge.
And except for the green tomatoes, I almost always have these ingredients in my pantry!
I use green tomatoes in this curry recipe because I always have lots left in the garden at the end of the season. You can also freeze any extras every year.
I appreciate the tanginess of the green tomatoes in curry. But I realize that unless you’re growing a garden, you’re less likely to find these in your regular grocery store. Feel free to substitute red, ripe tomatoes if that’s what you have.
It’ll be just as good, I’m sure!
Why Curried Green Tomatoes Taste SO Good
The magic of green tomatoes in curry lies in their tartness. Unlike ripe tomatoes, which add sweetness and umami, green tomatoes provide a pleasant tang that balances the richness of coconut milk or cream-based curries. Their sturdy flesh doesn’t break down into mush, maintaining a satisfying bite throughout the cooking process.
This makes them ideal for both quick-cooking curries and longer-simmered versions. They act almost like a vegetable rather than just a flavouring agent, absorbing the aromatic spices while contributing their own distinct character to the dish.
Why You’ll Love This Vegetarian Green Tomato Curry
- Ready in just 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknight dinners
- Uses green tomatoes from the garden or regular tomatoes
- Includes protein-rich red lentils for a filling meal
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Meal-prep and freezer-friendly
- Easy to customize with your favourite vegetables
Key Ingredients & Nutrition Benefits of this Quick Green Tomato Curry
Red Lentils: Plant-based Protein
- Cooks in just 15-20 minutes
- 5 grams of fibre per 1/4 cup serving
- Excellent source of plant-based protein
- Rich in iron and magnesium for energy support
- Helps maintain steady blood sugar levels
Green Tomatoes
- Unique tangy flavour perfect for curries
- Great way to use up end-of-season garden tomatoes
- Can substitute ripe red tomatoes
- Freezer-friendly for year-round use
Choose Your Veggies
- Adaptable to any seasonal vegetables
- Adds extra nutrients and fibre
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Culinary and Nutritional Highlights of this Green Tomato Curry Recipe
Red lentils cook so quickly compared to most beans and legumes. They usually take just 15-20 minutes, which is another great reason to cook with them most often.
I love the protein they add to this easy vegetarian green tomato curry. They are also delicious in my other popular recipe, Super Curried Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup recipe.
Red lentils shine with their high fibre and protein amounts. They will keep you full for longer and help balance your blood sugar. A quarter-cup of red lentils has about 5 grams of fibre. Red lentils are also an excellent source of iron and magnesium. These minerals support our energy levels, especially if we’re too busy to even think about dinner prep before 5 p.m.!
You can also swap out the broccoli for another favourite veggie if you like.
How to Make Green Tomato Curry
This simple curried green tomatoes recipe involves cooking red lentils until tender, sautéing onions and spices, adding green tomatoes and vegetables, then simmering everything together with coconut milk. The entire process takes just 30 minutes from start to finish.
Vegetarian Green Tomato Curry
This Vegetarian Green Tomato Curry comes together quickly for lunch or dinner, but always tastes like you might have spent hours stirring this deliciousness together. And except for the green tomatoes, I almost always have these ingredients in my pantry!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil of choice
- 2 tsp whole, yellow mustard seeds
- ½ tsp whole fenugreek spice
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional; increase or decrease depending on whether you like things spicy!)
- 3 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 medium red onion chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chopped green tomatoes
- 1 medium sweet potato chopped into small cubes, about 1 generous cup
- 1/2 cup dry, uncooked red lentils rinsed
- 1 cup chopped broccoli small florets
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp fresh, grated ginger
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp sea salt
- Generous amount of ground pepper
- 1 cup coconut milk I like a canned, organic, BPA-free variety. This dish benefits from maximum creaminess.
Instructions
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Over medium heat, melt the coconut oil and add the mustard seeds, cooking for about 30 seconds or until they begin to pop. Keep a pot lid handy in case the seeds start to pop out of the pan. Shake often.
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Add the fenugreek and red pepper flakes (if using) for 30 seconds or until they just begin to release their aroma. Watch these carefully to make sure they don’t burn. Add garlic and red onion and cook for 1 minute until the onion begins to soften.
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Add 1 cup of water. Add the green tomatoes, sweet potato, and red lentils. Stir well.
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Cover and cook for 6-8 minutes or until sweet potatoes are just barely tender.
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Sprinkle broccoli florets over the top, replace the cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the broccoli is bright green and tender. Remove from heat.
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Add spices, salt, pepper and coconut milk and mix well. If the curry is too thick, add ¼ cup (or more) of water to thin to your liking.
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Serve on its own, or with brown rice or quinoa.
Recipe Notes
You can swap other veggies for the broccoli, if you like!
Green Tomato Curry Recipe FAQs
Can I use red tomatoes instead of green tomatoes?
Yes! While green tomatoes add a unique tanginess, other ripe tomatoes should work well in this curry. The flavour will be slightly sweeter.
How long do red lentils take to cook?
Red lentils cook much faster than other legumes. They usually take just 15-20 minutes to become tender. This makes them perfect for quick weeknight meals.
What can I substitute for broccoli?
Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand. Cauliflower, green beans, spinach, or potatoes all work well in this curry.
Is green tomato curry healthy?
Yes! This curry is packed with plant-based protein from red lentils, high in fibre, and loaded with vegetables. Red lentils provide iron and magnesium, while green tomatoes add vitamin C and antioxidants.
What does this green tomato curry taste like?
This green tomato curry has a pleasantly tangy, slightly tart flavour that’s balanced by creamy coconut milk and warm spices. The green tomatoes add brightness without the sweetness of ripe tomatoes.
Can I make green tomato curry vegan?
Absolutely! Made as is, this green tomato curry recipe is vegan and vegetarian with the use of coconut milk. Not vegan or don’t have coconut milk on hand? Feel free to replace the coconut milk with 10% cream instead.
How do you store leftover green tomato curry?
Store leftover curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
Pairing and Serving Curried Green Tomatoes
This dish fits naturally into both Indian-inspired thalis and eclectic fusion menus. Curried green tomatoes shine when served alongside fragrant basmati rice or warm naan bread. For a heartier meal, consider adding chickpeas, potatoes, or paneer to make it more substantial.
Whether you’re looking for a new way to use end-of-season green tomatoes or simply want to try something delightfully different, curried green tomatoes offer a perfect blend of familiar comfort and foreign adventure.
Green Tomato Curry Recipe Tips & Variations
- Switch up your veggies with whatever is seasonal.
- Freeze extra green tomatoes for future green tomato recipes.
- Pair with quinoa, Basmati or brown rice.
- To make it spicier, add extra spices or chili peppers.
- Add more protein: Stir in chickpeas, sliced tempeh or cubed tofu.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Keeps for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Perfect for weekly meal prep.
- Reheats beautifully on the stovetop.
I would love to know how you cook with green tomatoes!
Do you love this underrated veggie as much as I do?
Pin this green tomato curry recipe for later, and don’t forget to leave a comment below letting me know how you customized yours!
Life is a plate… Eat up,
Ashleigh
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