I first tried beet curry at a Farmer’s Market many years ago, and I was in love at first bite! Of course, I’ve subsequently moved away and can no longer get it, so I set out to make my own version. Of course, I popped it in my air fryer to make cooking it even easier, and created this delicious dish!
What is Beet Curry?
Beet curry is a flavorful and vibrant dish made from beetroot cooked in a spiced gravy of sorts. It’s made with spices, onions, garlic, and coconut milk or yogurt, depending on preferences (I use coconut milk).
The natural sweetness of the beets pairs well with the bold flavors of spices like cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, mustard seeds, and chili (if you like a little spice), to create a balance of sweet, earthy, and spicy notes. It’s an incredibly customizable recipe so you can make it your own!
Beet curry is typically served as a side dish. However, you can also serve it with rice, naan (or another flatbread), or add in potatoes or lentils with the beats to bulk it up for a main course. On its own, this dish is naturally gluten free and vegan as well so it works with a lot of dietary needs!
This curry can be prepared in various styles, with Indian and Sri Lankan being most common. I stick to a more Sri Lankan style sauce myself, but you can always change ingredients up to accommodate different preparations:
- South Indian Style: Uses coconut, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and sometimes tamarind
- North Indian Style: Often uses yogurt or cream to add richness
Looking for more unique dishes to make with your beetroot? Check out all of my amazing Air Fryer Beet Recipes for more inspiration!
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Beet Curry Ingredients
- 2 medium beets, trimmed, washed, and peeled
- ¼ cup diced onion (white or yellow)
- 1 tsp minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp coriander
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground fenugreek (or ⅛ tsp seeds)
- ¼ tsp mustard seeds (black or brown)
- ½ cup coconut milk (full fat is best)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- All of the seasonings can be adjusted to taste, or swapped out to make different flavor combinations. Other good options include: cayenne, ginger, cinnamon, curry powder, chili powder, or paprika
- For a spicier version, add a sliced red or green chili pepper (as written, this dish is not spicy at all)
- Other optional additions that can be used to adjust flavor include tomato sauce, white vinegar, or white sugar (for more acid, tartness, or sweetness in your sauce)
Equipment Notes
You’ll need an oven-safe baking dish that fits into your air fryer’s basket or rack for this recipe. Good options include a cake pan, casserole dish, loaf pan, or anything similar!
I use two smaller casserole dishes because I have a Dual Zone air fryer. However, you can definitely just use one larger dish if you have a single-basket style air fryer!
How to Make Air Fryer Beet Curry
- Cut your beets into approximately ½” thick strips about 1” in length, then toss them with 1 Tbsp of the olive oil
- Place the beets into an oven-safe container that fits in your air fryer’s basket or rack and cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes
- After the 10 minutes, add the onions, garlic, and the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil, stirring well to mix them in with the beets. Cook an additional 10 minutes at 400°F
- Combine the coconut milk and the remaining seasonings in a small bowl. Pour the mixture evenly over the vegetables, and give everything another stir to combine
- Cook for a final 10-15 minutes at 400°F, until beets are fork tender
- Stir and serve hot, with rice or naan if desired!
What to Serve With Beet Curry
- Rice
- Naan
- Pita bread
- Other curries
- Lentils
- Kale
- Green beans
- Spinach
- Toasted nuts
- Fresh cilantro
There are lots of great accompaniments you can serve with beet curry. Rice is the most traditional, or a soft bread to help soak up that delicious sauce!
For a quick option, try my recipe for Trader Joe’s Naan in the Air Fryer!
Recipe FAQs
Can You Cook Beet Curry in an Air Fryer?
Yes! The air fryer is a great way to cook beet and other curries. It caramelizes and tenderizes the vegetables, as well as toasting aromatics and heating the sauce.
All that’s required is an oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer’s basket or rack, and to stagger adding the ingredients to ensure everything cooks through correctly.
How Healthy Is Beet Curry?
Beet curry is generally considered nutritious because beets are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like betalains, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
The spices used in the curry, such as turmeric and cumin, also provide additional health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
How Do You Serve Beet Curry?
Beet curry can be served with basmati rice, naan, or other flatbreads.
It can also be paired with lentil-based dishes like dal or vegetable stir-fries for a complete meal.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Air Fryer Beet Curry
- Try to cut your beets as evenly as possible so they cook evenly. If you have widely varying sizes, then some will be overcooked while others are under and crunchy
- Feel free to taste and adjust with additional salt and/or pepper after the last cooking phase!
Storage and Reheating Tips For Beet Curry
- Store any leftover beet curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
- To reheat beet curry, you can microwave it (covered) on high for about 1 minute. You can also use your air fryer by placing a portion into an oven safe dish and heating for about 5 minutes at 350°F (depending in portion size) until warmed through
Final Thoughts
Beet curry is such a vibrant and flavorful way to cook your beetroot. It’s bursting with flavor and a creamy sauce thanks to the coconut milk. Plus, this curry is naturally gluten free and vegan, so it works for a variety of dietary needs (and it’s delicious even if you don’t have restrictions).
While it’s typically served as a side dish, you can add other curries, breads, and rice to make a more robust meal. Check out some of my best Air Fryer Indian Recipes for inspiration!
I love making curries in general because they’re so customizable with different flavors and heat levels. The air fryer is the perfect appliance for cooking beetroot too, since it gets you tender beets, and caramelized edges which bring out the natural sweetness for a balanced dish!
Beet Curry (Air Fryer Recipe)
Equipment
- Casserole dish (or similar oven safe dish that fits in your air fryer)
- Spatula (or spoon, for stirring)
Ingredients
- 2 medium beets (trimmed, washed, and peeled)
- ¼ cup diced onion (white or yellow)
- 1 tsp minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp coriander
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground fenugreek (or ⅛ tsp seeds)
- ¼ tsp mustard seeds (black or brown)
- ½ cup coconut milk (full fat best)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cut your beets into approximately ½” thick strips about 1” in length, then toss them with 1 Tbsp of the olive oil2 medium beets, 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Place the beets into an oven-safe container that fits in your air fryer’s basket or rack and cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes
- After the 10 minutes, add the onions, garlic, and the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil, stirring well to mix them in with the beets. Cook an additional 10 minutes at 400°F¼ cup diced onion, 1 tsp minced garlic
- Combine the coconut milk and the remaining seasonings in a small bowl. Pour the mixture evenly over the vegetables, and give everything another stir to combine½ tsp salt, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp coriander, ¼ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp ground fenugreek, ¼ tsp mustard seeds, ½ cup coconut milk
- Cook for a final 10-15 minutes at 400°F, until beets are fork tender
- Stir and serve hot, with rice or naan if desired!
Notes
- All of the seasonings can be adjusted to taste, or swapped out to make different flavor combinations. Other good options include: cayenne, ginger, cinnamon, curry powder, chili powder, or paprika
- For a spicier version, add a sliced red or green chili pepper (as written, this dish is not spicy at all)
- Other optional additions that can be used to adjust flavor include tomato sauce, white vinegar, or white sugar (for more acid, tartness, or sweetness in your sauce)
- Try to cut your beets as evenly as possible so they cook evenly. If you have widely varying sizes, then some will be overcooked while others are under and crunchy
- Feel free to taste and adjust with additional salt and/or pepper just before serving!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
