Nov 18, 2022

Easy Curry Bowls For Pospartum Meal Planning

If you know me, you know I LOVE curry. I am incredibly Vata (Ayurveda reference), and I just crave that warm, nourishing goodness. I wanted to share my super easy curry bowl recipe because these variations make it SO easy to throw together whatever you have on hand.

This versatile dish is perfect for busy moms—it’s forgiving, customizable, and packed with nutrient-dense ingredients to support you after giving birth Whether you’re looking for a protein-rich dinner or a quick way to use up extra veggies, this curry bowl has you covered.

I really just love how forgiving and versatile this is...you just really cannot mess it up.

Why Curry Bowls Are the Ultimate After Birth Food

Curry bowls check all the boxes for postpartum nourishment:

Warm and grounding: Essential for balancing vata energy in Ayurveda, which can be heightened during the postpartum period.
Packed with nutrients: From high-quality proteins to fiber-rich veggies, this meal supports healing and replenishes depleted nutrients.
Customizable and forgiving: Whether you’re dealing with picky eaters or limited pantry items, curry bowls adapt to whatever you have on hand.

Plus, they’re easy to make in batches, making them a perfect addition to your postpartum meal plan or for meal prepping ahead of time.

Choosing the Right Curry Base

The base of your curry is key, and we love using high-quality, flavorful options that are free of unnecessary additives.

Native Forest Yellow Curry: Made with BPA-free packaging and no guar gum, this coconut milk-based curry is a favorite.
Mike’s Organic Curry Paste: Available in yellow, red, green, and Penang varieties, this is a versatile option for whatever flavor profile you’re craving.

Protein Options

I am personally a fan of beef or chicken thighs. Any protein will work, just make sure it's high quality. Beef is extremely nutrient dense, and I would always choose that over non-meat options. I most often use stew meat, ground beef or chicken thighs.

Beef: Stew meat or ground beef is a nutrient powerhouse, rich in iron, zinc, and B vitamins to support energy and recovery.

Chicken Thighs: Juicy and flavorful, chicken thighs are a great source of protein and healthy fats.

Plant-Based Alternatives: While we love meat for its nutrient density, tofu, tempeh, or lentils can be used as alternatives if preferred.

Veggies

Sky is the limit here! I most often go with garlic, onion, carrots since I always have those on hand. I also love parsnips in here. Bell peppers are great if you tolerate nightshades. You could also use broccoli, cauliflower or brussel sprouts. I tend to get bloated from the brassica family so I don't use those very often.

Staples: Garlic, onion, and carrots are my go-tos—they’re always in my kitchen and add great flavor.

Seasonal Favorites: Parsnips, bell peppers (if you tolerate nightshades), or roasted squash are delicious options.

Avoiding Bloat: If you’re sensitive to brassicas like broccoli or cauliflower, skip them and go for something easier to digest.

Complex Carbs (Optional but Delicious)

Decide what carb you want to serve your meat and veggies over. By the way, you do not HAVE to have a carb here... the curry sauce, meat and veggies alone is amazing on it's own. If I include a carb I'll generally serve it over white rice or roasted potatoes/sweet potatoes. Roaster butternut squash would be great here too!

White Rice: A classic and easy-to-digest option, perfect for postpartum recovery.

Sweet Potatoes or Roasted Potatoes: Rich in fiber and nutrients, these add a comforting sweetness to the dish.

Roasted Butternut Squash: A flavorful, nutrient-dense alternative that pairs beautifully with curry.

If you’re following a lower-carb plan or simply prefer a lighter meal, feel free to skip the carbs—the combination of curry sauce, meat, and veggies is incredible on its own!

Ok... now let's cook and assemble the bowl!

Prepare/Start rice, or roasted potatoes/sweet potatoes if using
Sautee veggies about 10 minutes in tallow, ghee or butter. 10 min is a loose guide...some veggies like the brassicas will take longer
While veggies are cooking, chop your stew meat or chicken thighs into bite size pieces. If you are using ground meat, brown the meat in another pan.
Add the meat into the veggies and sautee until cooked. If you are using ground meat, add to the pan and skip to step 4.
Once meat is cooked, add your curry. If using Native Forest, add the whole can and heat until cooked. If using Mike's curry paste, follow instructions on box. I create space in the pan, add the paste, and then add a can of coconut milk
Lastly, assemble your bowl! Add in your carb, then top with meat, veggies and curry choice. Salt to sate!

TIPS:

We recommend Redmond's Real Salt or Celtic Sea Salt
Thrive Market has a great price on Mike's curry and your other pantry staples in this recipe like salt, rice, etc. - Get 40% off on your first Thrive Market Order
Native Forest coconut milk curry can be found at Sprouts, Whole Foods, etc.
When sourcing meat, always get a high quality. Click here to see our meat buying guide and different places to source meat.
This freezes really well, so double up on your batch and save some for a rainy or postpartum day!