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This easy pantry chickpea coconut curry is the kind of shelf-stable meal that feels comforting without asking much from your emergency food shelf. It uses canned chickpeas, canned coconut milk, canned tomatoes, rice, and dry seasonings—no fresh produce, no refrigerated ingredients, and no freezer required.
It is warm, filling, and flexible. If the power is out, you can make it on a camp stove or other safe outdoor cooking setup. If everything is normal, it is still a useful “shop the pantry” dinner for busy nights.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups water, plus extra as needed
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, shelf-stable lime juice packet, or hot sauce
Instructions
- Add rice and water to a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender.
- In a second pot, combine chickpeas, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Spoon the curry over rice. Add hot sauce or red pepper flakes if you want more heat.
Servings
Makes about 4 servings.
Storage Notes
This recipe is designed for shelf-stable ingredients before cooking. Once prepared, leftovers should be cooled and refrigerated if safe refrigeration is available. If refrigeration is not available, make only what your household can eat right away.
Substitutions
- Use canned lentils or canned white beans instead of chickpeas.
- Use instant rice to reduce cooking time and fuel use.
- Use shelf-stable chicken broth instead of water for more flavor.
- Add canned potatoes or canned carrots if you keep them in your pantry.
Why This Works for Preparedness
This meal checks the boxes for a practical emergency recipe: protein from chickpeas, calories from rice and coconut milk, flavor from dry spices, and ingredients that can sit on a pantry shelf until you need them. It also uses common cans that are easy to rotate into everyday meals, which helps prevent waste.
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