What To Do With Leftover Bean Curry

Turn it into the most comforting, soul satisfying, leftover bean curry chicken soup that will instantly make you feel good.

12 Amazing, Easy, And Delicious Ideas  

The beauty of Indian cuisine is that it has an incredible variety of curries to use and each brings it's own flavor and aroma to the meal.

From creamy dal makhani (a popular lentils Indian dish) to spicy rajma masala (a North Indian traditional red kidney bean curry) there is always a new recipe to try. 

I am also sharing a dozen wonderfully easy ideas. Plus a full recipe (recipe card below this post) of a hearty and super delicious soup!

The taste is simply phenomenal!

I love curries (and legumes) and when I made this Baked Beans and Chickpeas Curry we absolutely loved it! Our cold weather right now made this hearty bowl of spicy beans perfect! 

​The leftovers were a great way of simply adding basmati rice or naan bread which is always a good option but I wanted to recreate the same dish.

This way, we were not eating the "same" food twice in a row!  

I am big on creativity in the kitchen and making food with BIG FLAVORS because as a congenital anosmic, I rely on taste, texture and presentation.

Besides, repurposing leftover food is a good way to cut down on waste while giving the food a new twist. Keeping things interesting and enjoyable!

Over time, I've tried multiple creative ways to reuse leftover curries, turning them into a range of meals that never fail to impress.

They have the approval stamp on from our kitchen to yours and have been thoroughly enjoyed whether making soups, pizza, or wraps.  

So, if you’re looking for inspiration to breathe new life into your leftover bean curry, look no further.

Here are some of my tried-and-true ideas that are sure to add a unique flavorful punch to your meals.  

​Recipe Ideas To Use Leftover Bean Curry  

1. Curry Fried Rice  

To prepare quick fried rice, mix leftover bean curry with cooked rice and warm it through.

2. Curry Soup  

Want a comforting dish for a chilly evening?

Make a tasty and comforting soup with the leftover bean curry.

Thin out the curry with some vegetable stock, light coconut milk, or boiling water, and bring it to a simmer on medium-low heat.

You can add some fresh veggies, cooked shredded meat, herbs, tomato paste/tomato puree, dumplings, or noodles for a heartier meal.  

3. Savory Curry Pancakes  

This recipe works nicely with any type of bean curry, including mung bean curry.

Mash the bean curry, add it to the pancake mixture, and cook them just the way you do.

You can adjust the thickness by adding flour or a splash of water.  

4. Beans Sandwich  

This is one of my first recipes using leftovers.

Spread your spicy bean curry on some plain homemade bread or any bread from ciabatta to bread rolls.

You can enjoy it plain or grill it for a fusion sandwich.

Either way, it goes well with extra veggies or as a teatime snack.

Fusion type recipe is this Baked Beans and Chickpeas Curry with Indian and Korean flavors.

5. Curry Quesadillas (Tortilla Wrap)

A mouthwatering combination of Mexican and Indian flavors, where the spiciness of curry meets the cheesiness of quesadillas. 

Mash the bean curry a little bit, put it on a corn or whole wheat tortilla, top it with a slice of cheese, or add grated cheese.

After that, place another tortilla on top and heat it on a griddle until it gets crispy and the cheese melts inside.

Serve with a simple salad or a dollop of sour cream for a tasty snack. Similarly, curry tacos or kathi rolls (Indian style wrap) can be made.  

For extra measure (as Jamie Oliver says) here's a really delicious wrap in smoky baked baked beans and chorizo Air Fryer Tortilla Wraps. Another recipe from leftovers!

6. Beans Paratha  (Indian Flatbread)

Use leftover bean curry to make tasty bean parathas, just like you would aloo paratha at home.

If the curry has much liquid, remove it before mashing the beans. Mix it with the same amount of flour.

Mix in red chili powder, a pinch of salt, and cumin seeds, and then knead the dough. Roll out the dough and make beans paratha.  

7. Curry Pasta  

To make a quick fusion meal, combine cooked pasta and leftover bean curry instead of tomato sauce.

The curry's creamy texture works well as a pasta sauce.

This recipe works great with any curry, but gravy curry works especially well since it coats and flavors the pasta so wonderfully. Add fresh garlic for extra flavor.  

8. Bean Patties  

You don't need much for these incredibly easy bean patties, just some leftover bean curry bread crumbs, fresh herbs like cilantro (coriander), egg, salt and pepper.

Form into patties, and fry in a large pan on medium heat until golden brown. Fresh mint and sricacha mayo for a great serving!

9. Curry Pizza  

Another great way to enjoy leftover bean curry is to spread it over a pizza base, sprinkle it with some cheese, and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.  

10. Beans Stuffed Rice Paper Rolls  

Any curry will work for these rolls. Mash the curry just a little bit if it's a little chunkier.  

For one or two minutes, dip a rice paper roll in the water. Spread the sheet over a clean surface, top it with the mashed curry, and serve.

11. Cold Curry Salad  

Mix leftover bean curry recipe with chopped fresh vegetables for a satisfying and light meal or lunch. Make sure the dressing you choose has lots of punch, such as a zesty lime juice vinaigrette, because this will give the beans' mild starchiness a much-needed boost of flavor.  

12. Curry Rice Bake  

Mix the curry with cooked rice and transfer it to a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and cheese, then bake until the top is golden and crispy.  

Recipe Notes  

Now you can fully enjoy your leftover bean curry with these easy DIY recipes! 

• The consistency of your bean curry matters a lot. These recipes are assuming the curry has a slightly thick texture. Which it will, because it thickens as it stands.
  • Moreover, all these recipes are not just for using your leftover bean curry, you can use canned beans instead of leftovers in any recipe.  

• Additionally, when making any Indian curry, using whole spices (available at all local grocery stores) such as coriander seeds, cinnamon sticks, and garam masala can elevate the flavor profile. Don't forget to store your curries properly in an airtight container or freezer-safe container for the next day. 

• If you're new to making bean curries, start with simple recipes like rajma chawal (North Indian red kidney bean recipe) and butter bean curry. See also this Instant Pot Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta & Beans) for an Italian twist.

• OR coconut kidney bean curry and experiment with different types of beans like black beans, red kidney beans, butter beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, white beans, and even adzuki beans to find your favorite.

• For those who love vegan curry, try using coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, or any other vegetable oil instead of butter or ghee, and for a creamy black bean curry, add coconut cream or light coconut milk. 

• Indian spices like turmeric powder, curry powder, and chilli powder will give your curry an authentic Indian flavor. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.  Don’t forget to check my other recipe cards for cooking inspiration.

More Must Try Hearty Bean Curry Recipes

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Please rate and comment below. Thank you and happy cooking! Miranda x