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    Home ยป Dinner

    Creamy Mung Bean Curry

    Published:Nov 16, 2021ยท Modified: Feb 24, 2024 by Keri Bevan

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    This mung bean curry, aka green gram curry, is so creamy, cozy and ultra healthy. Flavored with coconut milk and gently spiced with warm curry spices, it's a bowl full of nourishment. Perfect for a chilly night.

    Mung bean curry in a beige bowl with a black napkin.
    mung beans recipe
    Jump to:
    • ๐Ÿ’šWhat's So Great About Mung Beans?
    • ๐Ÿ™‹What's The Difference Between Moong Beans And Mung Beans?
    • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow To Make Mung Bean Curry
    • Top Tip
    • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธServing Suggestions
    • โ„๏ธStorage Instructions
    • ๐Ÿ™‹Frequently Asked Questions
    • See More Vegan Indian Recipes
    • Craving More Easy Vegan Recipes?
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
    • โ„๏ธStorage Instructions
    • Comments

    If you've tried my aubergine and chickpea curry, dal tadka or my aloo vindaloo curry recipes, you'll know I'm a big fan of Indian food. And, mung bean curry is no exception. Why will you love this recipe? It's packed with nutrition and it's so easy to mag.

    If you have a bag of mung beans hanging out in your pantry and your looking for a great mung bean recipe, you've arrived at the right place. Or, if you've heard what nutritional powerhouses mung beans are - this is the recipe for you!

    ๐Ÿ’šWhat's So Great About Mung Beans?

    If you don't have a bag of mung beans in your pantry, go get some now! There's so much to love about this humble bean. Here's a few reasons they'll soon become your new favorite legume:

    • They're a great source of protein and fiber.
    • They're packed full of minerals like magnesium and iron.
    • They're rich in antioxidants.
    • Mung beans can be used in more than just curry recipes - they're great in stews, salads and soups.
    • The carbs in mung beans are less likely to cause the stomach distress that other legumes do.
    • They don't require soaking.

    What's not to love? Let's make mung bean curry!

    ๐Ÿ™‹What's The Difference Between Moong Beans And Mung Beans?

    Moong beans or "moong dal" are simply mung beans that have been split and hulled, removing the outer green shell. So, essentially, moong dal is a type of mung bean. The whole mung beans are green, while the split and hulled version, moong dal, is yellow.

    When you're shopping, think of moong dal as the more processed version of mung beans. Moong dal is the yellow, split, and hulled version of mung beans, while mung beans themselves are whole and green.

    In this recipe, we will be using mung beans.

    Mung beans in a pan.
    Curry sauce in a blue pot.

    ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow To Make Mung Bean Curry

    • Step 1 - Wash The Mung Beans: Wash the mung beans, and remove any stones. There's no need to soak them (hooray!) This is true of all mung bean recipes.
    • Step 2 - Cook The Mung Beans: Add six cups of water and a pinch of baking soda. Baking soda will help the beans cook a bit faster. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. The beans should be soft, but not so soft that they're falling apart. Drain them and set them aside
    • Step 3 - Saute The Onions: While the beans are cooking, lets make your masala. Heat your coconut oil in a large pot. Saute the onions for 3-4 minutes.
    • Step 4 - Add The Curry Spices: Add your cumin, coriander, chili pepper flakes (optional), turmeric, salt and pepper and saute for one more minute.
    • Step 5 - Add The Garlic & Ginger: Now add your minced garlic and grated ginger and saute for 1 more minute. Be careful not to burn your garlic.
    • Step 6 - Add The Tomatoes & Coconut Milk: Tip in the chopped tomatoes and coconut milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer your masala for 10 minutes.
    • Step 7 - Add The Mung Beans: Finally, add your mung beans to the masala and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Squeeze in the lemon juice, adjust the seasoning and garnish with chopped coriander and a drizzle of coconut yogurt.

    Top Tip

    To wash mung beans, place them in a fine-mesh sieve or colander and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. Gently rub the beans between your fingers to remove any dirt or debris, and repeat the process until the water runs clear.

    Creamy mung bean curry in a beige bowl.

    ๐Ÿฝ๏ธServing Suggestions

    Mung bean curry is wonderful on it's own, but it also pair well with a variety of dishes and condiments. Here's a few ideas:

    • Serve mung bean curry with basmati rice. It's a classic choice for a reason! If you have a rice cooker, make this recipe: Perfect Basmati Rice In A Rice Cooker (White & Brown) or this flavorful garlic rice.
    • Mung bean curry is lovely with a cucumber raita.
    • A sweet, tangy mango chutney never goes amiss with any curry recipe!
    • Flatbreads are the perfect sidekick to curry. They're ideal for scooping up all that creamy goodness. You could try my Turkish Flatbread or this Za'atar Bread that has a lovely spiced topping. Or, go the traditional route with naan bread.
    • A nice fresh cucumber mango salad would also complement this dish well.

    โ„๏ธStorage Instructions

    Refrigerator

    Allow the curry to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

    Freezer

    Allow your curry to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Label with the date for reference. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

    Thawing and Reheating

    When ready to eat your mung bean curry, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a little water or coconut milk if it thickens during freezing.

    ๐Ÿ™‹Frequently Asked Questions

    Do mung beans need to be soaked before cooking?

    No need to soak the mung beans for this recipe! The instructions mention washing the mung beans and removing any stones, but there's no soaking required. You simply add the washed mung beans to a saucepan with water and a pinch of baking soda, bring it to a boil, then simmer until the beans are tender. So, you can save some time and skip the soaking step for this particular mung bean curry recipe.

    Can you cook mung bean curry in a pressure cooker or Insta Pot?

    Yes, just modify the recipe like this : Wash 2 cups of mung beans and place them in a pressure cooker with a pinch of baking soda. Cook on high pressure for 10-15 minutes. In a separate pot, sautรฉ onions, spices, garlic, and ginger, then combine with cooked mung beans, canned tomatoes, and coconut milk in the pressure cooker. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, stir in lemon juice, and garnish before serving.

    Do dry mung beans go bad?

    Dry mung beans can indeed go bad over time. Factors like exposure to moisture or extreme temperatures can lead to spoilage. To ensure their freshness, store dry mung beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If they develop an off smell, unusual appearance, or show signs of mold, it's best to discard them.

    See More Vegan Indian Recipes

    If you like vegan Indian food, you might like these recipes!

    see all Indian recipes โ†’

    • Vegan gluten-free naan on a plate with a dip.
      Vegan Gluten-Free Naan
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      Turmeric Rice ~ In A Rice Cooker

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    Aloo Gobi

    Za'atar Bread

    Potato Tortillas

    Sambal Oelek - An Authentic Chili Paste Recipe

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    Mushroom and Chickpea Curry

    Creamy Haitian Macaroni Salad

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    Mung bean curry in a bowl with cilantro on top.

    Mung Bean Curry

    Keri Bevan
    Move over lentils, mung beans are here. This mung bean curry is seriously the best mung bean recipe EVER. Mung beans are healthy, healthy, healthy - and this curry is packed with flavor!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 50 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course dinner
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 450 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups dried mung beans
    • 1 pinch baking soda
    • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
    • 2 large yellow onions
    • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
    • 1 tablespoon coriander powder
    • 2 teaspoons turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon chili flakes *optional
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon ginger finely chopped
    • handful fresh coriander
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ยฝ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 can chopped tomatoes
    • 1 can coconut milk
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    Optional Garnishes

    • handful cilantro chopped
    • 2 tablespoons coconut yogurt

    Instructions
     

    • Wash the mung beans and remove any stones (no need to soak). Transfer them to a medium size saucepan. Add 6 cups of water and a pinch of baking powder. Bring to a hard boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 30 minutes. *see note 1
    • While the mung beans are cooking, heat the coconut oil in a large pot. Saute the onions for 3-4 minutes. Add, the cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili flakes,salt and pepper. Saute for a further minute.
    • Add the garlic and ginger and saute for one minute more. Tip in the tomatoes and coconut milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
    • Stir in the lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander and coconut yogurt.

    Notes

    1. If you find that the water is evaporating too quickly, simply add a bit more until the mung beans are cooked.

    โ„๏ธStorage Instructions

    Refrigerator

    Allow the curry to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

    Freezer

    Allow your curry to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Label with the date for reference. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

    Thawing and Reheating

    When ready to eat your mung bean curry, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a little water or coconut milk if it thickens during freezing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 19gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 560mgPotassium: 1254mgFiber: 13gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 272IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 162mgIron: 9mg
    Keyword mung bean curry
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Padma

      December 15, 2024 at 4:54 pm

      My favourite legumes of all! This curry looks so comforting. Thank you for a lovely recipe.

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        December 16, 2024 at 3:32 pm

        Me too, Padma!

        Reply
    2. Lydia

      March 31, 2024 at 5:16 am

      5 stars
      I had some mung beans lying around and this recipe was exactly what I needed. Made this for dinner and I loved how creamy and flavorful it turned out. I paired it with naan bread and it was absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        March 31, 2024 at 7:40 pm

        Naan bread is the perfect complement.xx

        Reply
    3. Gina

      March 31, 2024 at 4:47 am

      5 stars
      Mungbeans are a staple in my pantry but I've never tried it with curry until last night. It was so good! Definitely making this again!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer

      March 30, 2024 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! There was some serious flavor in this curry! I loved how easily it came together and we all gobbled it up. I had some leftovers but they're in the freezer now so thanks for those freezing tips!

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        March 30, 2024 at 6:35 pm

        H Jennifer, so glad you liked the curry.

        Reply
    5 from 11 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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    Keri Bevan

    Welcome, I'm Keri

    I'm the food photographer and recipe developer and writer behind Daily Dish. I'm a certified Reiki Master with a passion for simple, fresh vegan dishes. I'm an ex-pat American who has lived all over the world. I currently live in London

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