Spicy Tomato and Pepper Curry

By Zaynab Issa

Updated May 28, 2026

  • Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich.
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Ready In
50 min
Rating
5(47)
Comments
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This is a riff on North Indian tomato curry, a slightly sweet and spiced onion- and tomato-based vegetarian dish. Here, sliced bell peppers get added alongside the tomatoes to stew down until tender. The fenugreek seeds are optional, but they impart a unique nutty, maple-like flavor that complements the sweetness of the peppers and tomatoes. For less heat, omit the serrano chiles altogether. For a heartier meal, serve with grilled meat or fish or create divots in the skillet of curry for simmering eggs.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil 

  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced 

  • Kosher salt, such as Diamond Crystal

  • ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds, optional 

  • 6 garlic cloves, finely grated 

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin 

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander 

  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chile powder, or other red chile powder 

  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric 

  • 5 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped 

  • 3 large bell peppers, halved crosswise and sliced ¼-inch thick 

  • 1 to 2 serrano chiles, thinly sliced, deseeded if desired for less heat, plus more for serving 

  • Warm roti, pita or crusty bread, for serving 

  • Lemon or lime wedges, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

17 grams carbs; 168 calories; 8 grams monosaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 11 grams fat; 5 grams fiber; 604 milligrams sodium; 3 grams protein; 9 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add onion, season with 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until softened and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. 

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, if using, add fenugreek seeds to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and grind to a coarse powder.

  3. Step 3

    Return to the skillet: Add garlic, cumin, coriander, Kashmiri chili powder and turmeric to the onion. Stir to combine and toast the spices, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, bell peppers, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 cup of water. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions and tomatoes have broken down, the peppers are tender, and the curry has thickened, 20 to 25 minutes. Taste and adjust for salt if desired.

  4. Step 4

    Serve with roti, pita, or crusty bread for scooping and lemon or lime wedges for squeezing over.

Tip

  • Curry can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
47 user ratings
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Comments

Anne

Should the serrano peppers be added with the bell peppers? They weren’t listed in the steps so I forgot to do that, but had pretty much doubled up on the other spices (cumin, coriander, chile powder, and turmeric), so really didn’t miss the serranos. Served with chicken breast seasoned with the same spices as the curry, and it was delicious.

Kevin B

@Jean Stocks Serranos are chile peppers. serrano peppers. seranno chiles. serrano chilis. same same same.

Jane

A simple & delicious one-pot meal! I doubled the spices (except the chile powder) & would increase them even more. I also added cauliflower, spinach and a can of garbanzo beans. I made the mistake of adding 2 cups of H2O as the recommended 1 cup seemed insufficient. DON"T do it. To thicken it I added a can of coconut milk & 4 T of tomato paste & finally ended up mixing some of the sauce with flour & adding it back in. The coconut milk & tomato paste were good additions & would add them again

Sheila

How many calories?

drgonzo777

I made a half batch of this tonight. Good, but not great. I wish I could offer methods for improvement. I added on half the amount of cumin, as it is not my favorite spice. I used 1/8tsp of cayenne, lacking a Serrano pepper. IMO, that was enough. I could see adding some more if that is your preference. I sliced the onions with a mandolin. They had not browned after fifteen minutes and I moved ahead. From this point I followed directions and found it took about thirty minutes for the peppers to soften. I used some fresh lemon juice at the end. Next time, I might add more crushed tomatoes and/or tomato paste. I served this on basmati rice along with a beef-steak.

drgonzo777

@drgonzo777 this is my second note. I again prepared the recipe as described in my first note, a half batch. I cut the cumin by 50%. I used 1/8 tsp of cayenne instead of a Serrano pepper. THIS TIME, I also added 1tsp of harissa sauce. This made a genuine improvement, IMO.

Jane

A simple & delicious one-pot meal! I doubled the spices (except the chile powder) & would increase them even more. I also added cauliflower, spinach and a can of garbanzo beans. I made the mistake of adding 2 cups of H2O as the recommended 1 cup seemed insufficient. DON"T do it. To thicken it I added a can of coconut milk & 4 T of tomato paste & finally ended up mixing some of the sauce with flour & adding it back in. The coconut milk & tomato paste were good additions & would add them again

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