Vegan Kerala Vegetable Stew

Total time55 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time35 min

4.6

(18)

This fragrant, coconut-milk-based stew from Kerala is the kind of bowl that makes you slow down and actually savor dinner. Whole spices — mustard seeds, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon — bloom in hot coconut oil at the very start, building a deeply aromatic base that carries through every bite. Tender chunks of potato and carrot, crisp-cut green beans, and a broth enriched with a full can of full-fat coconut milk come together into something that feels both nourishing and genuinely special. Fresh curry leaves and slit green chiles add that unmistakable South Indian brightness, while a squeeze of lime at the end lifts the whole dish. Because every ingredient here is naturally plant-based — no swaps, no substitutions needed — it comes together without any compromise on richness or depth. It serves four and pairs beautifully with steamed rice, appam, or your favorite flatbread for soaking up every last drop of that silky broth.

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Ingredients

4 servings

2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
4 whole cloves
4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1 cinnamon stick (about 2 inches)
2 dried bay leaves
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 fresh green chiles (such as serrano or thai), slit lengthwise
10 fresh curry leaves
2 medium yukon gold potatoes (about 12 oz total), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch rounds
6 oz green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 cup water
1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
1 tbsp fresh lime juice

For serving

2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Heat the coconut oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the mustard seeds and cook until they begin to pop, about 30–45 seconds.
2
Add the cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves and stir for 30 seconds, until fragrant.

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