Sri Lankan Inspired Aubergine Slow Cooker Curry

This dish is inspired by the rich aubergine dishes of Sri Lanka. But instead of unhealthy long frying of the individual ingredients, let the slow cook...This dish is inspired by the rich aubergine dishes of Sri Lanka. But instead of unhealthy long frying of the individual ingredients, let the slow cooker do the work! If you really love the flavour of coconut, you could serve this with a generous blob of coconut yoghurt, but we think it tastes deep, aromatic and it's super easy to batch cook. Read more This dish is inspired by the rich aubergine dishes of Sri Lanka. But instead of unhealthy long frying of the individual ingredients, let the slow cooker do the work! If you really love the flavour of coconut, you could serve this with a generous blob of coconut yoghurt, but we think it tastes deep, aromatic and it's super easy to batch cook. This dish is inspired by the rich aubergine dishes of Sri Lanka. But instead of unhealthy long frying of the individual ingredients, let the slow cooker do the work! If you really love the flavour of coconut, you could serve this with a generous blob of coconut yoghurt, but we think it tastes deep, aromatic and it's super easy to batch cook.

Cook easy, healthy recipes every week
1000s of quick, balanced and delicious recipes
Cook easy, healthy recipes every week
1000s of quick, balanced and delicious recipes
Prep time
25 mins
Cook time
5 hours
FREEZER FRIENDLY
Yes
SHELF LIFE
3 days
Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
fibre
3+ fruits &
vegetables
Herbs &
spices
Contains
Chilli, Cumin, Coconut, Olive oil, Curry Leaf, Tomato, Legumes, Cinnamon, Saffron, Onion, Aubergine, Peas, Ginger, Rice, Grains, Lime, Coriander, Garlic
Ingredients
Serves 3
finely diced
garlic cloves
grated
curry leaves
Swaps: bay leaf
cayenne pepper
curry powder
cinnamon stick
red chilli flakes
white onion
Swaps: shallot
sliced
aubergine
cut into 2 cm pieces 2 aubergines
vegetable stock cube
crumbled mushroom
water
wholegrain rice
saffron
peas (frozen)
Swaps: spinach, edamame (frozen), broad beans (frozen)
coconut milk (can)
coriander
zest and juice
pomegranate (seeds)
Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
fibre
3+ fruits &
vegetables
Herbs &
spices

NUTRITION PER SERVING (Read more)

14g
Protein
649kcal
Calories
41g
Total Fat
67g
Carbs
23g
Sugars
14g
Fibre
169mg
Calcium
13%
 
9mg
Iron
50%
 
189mg
Magnesium
45%
 
1429mg
Potassium
30%
 
57mg
Sodium
2%
 
1mg
Vitamin B1
83%
 
0mcg
Vitamin B12
0%
0mcg
Vitamin D
0%
3.8mg
Vitamin E
25%
 
124mcg
Vitamin B9
31%
 
119mcg
Vitamin A
13%
 
52mg
Vitamin C
58%
 
3mg
Zinc
27%
 
52mcg
Vitamin K
43%
 
0.7mg
Copper
78%
 
0.2mg
Vitamin B2
15%
 
5.8mg
Vitamin B3
36%
 
0.7mg
Vitamin B6
41%
 
432mg
Phosphorus
35%
 
Protein: 14g; Calories: 649kcal; Total Fat: 41g; Carbs: 67g; Sugars: 23g; Fibre: 14g; Calcium: 169mg (13%); Iron: 9mg (50%); Magnesium: 189mg (45%); Potassium: 1429mg (30%); Sodium: 57mg (2%); Vitamin B1: 1mg (83%); Vitamin B12: 0mcg (0%); Vitamin D: 0mcg (0%); Vitamin E: 3.8mg (25%); Vitamin B9: 124mcg (31%); Vitamin A: 119mcg (13%); Vitamin C: 52mg (58%); Zinc: 3mg (27%); Vitamin K: 52mcg (43%); Copper: 0.7mg (78%); Vitamin B2: 0.2mg (15%); Vitamin B3: 5.8mg (36%); Vitamin B6: 0.7mg (41%); Phosphorus: 432mg (35%)
Show more
Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
fibre
3+ fruits &
vegetables
Herbs &
spices
Contains
Chilli, Cumin, Coconut, Olive oil, Curry Leaf, Tomato, Legumes, Cinnamon, Saffron, Onion, Aubergine, Peas, Ginger, Rice, Grains, Lime, Coriander, Garlic
Ingredients
Serves 3
finely diced
garlic cloves
grated
curry leaves
Swaps: bay leaf
cayenne pepper
curry powder
cinnamon stick
red chilli flakes
white onion
Swaps: shallot
sliced
aubergine
cut into 2 cm pieces 2 aubergines
vegetable stock cube
crumbled mushroom
water
wholegrain rice
saffron
peas (frozen)
Swaps: spinach, edamame (frozen), broad beans (frozen)
coconut milk (can)
coriander
zest and juice
pomegranate (seeds)

Ingredients

Serves 3
finely diced
garlic cloves
grated
curry leaves
Swaps: bay leaf
cayenne pepper
curry powder
cinnamon stick
red chilli flakes
white onion
Swaps: shallot
sliced
aubergine
cut into 2 cm pieces 2 aubergines
vegetable stock cube
crumbled mushroom
water
wholegrain rice
saffron
peas (frozen)
Swaps: spinach, edamame (frozen), broad beans (frozen)
coconut milk (can)
coriander
zest and juice
pomegranate (seeds)

Method

1

Gather your ingredients.

2

Set the slow cooker to its highest setting. Add the olive oil, together with ginger, garlic, curry leaves and all other dry spices. Replace the lid and leave for 15 minutes. It won’t sizzle like in a pan but it will start to smell amazing.

3

Add the onions to the now-infused, hot oil and stir well.

4

Next, add the aubergines, the tomato puree, and the tinned tomatoes, with the water.

5

Add the stock cube together with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook on ‘High’ for five or ‘Low’ for six hours.

6

Twenty minutes before serving, get your rice on the boil according to the packet instructions along with the saffron. It should take about 15-16 minutes, then stir through, season and leave the lid on to steam and retain heat.

7

Ten minutes before serving, add the frozen peas to the slow cooker.

8

Give the coconut milk a good shake or stir and gently add this in too before replacing the lid. Turn to, or continue on, ‘Low until ready to serve.

9

Serve the curry with a generous sprinkle of coriander leaves and the grated zest and juice of half the lime. Serve the rice with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds and a lime wedge for each person.

Cook easy, healthy recipes every week
1000s of quick, balanced and delicious recipes

User comments (10)

Pete 8 months ago

Used air fried cauliflower and tofu in place of aubergine. Good flavours, went down well. Pomegranate seeds made all the difference!

Sheetul 9 months ago

Lovely curry. I made it in the instant pot and turned out great. I used mix veg as only had 1 aubergine

Helen 9 months ago

Delicious, quite spicy. I added cooked brown lentils towards the end of cooking , spinach and chunks of cod. Making it into a substantial fish curry meal . Topped with yoghurt, and sliced banana.

Richard 10 months ago

Really enjoyed this recipe & produced a really tasty curry. This will become a favourite.

Alice 10 months ago

Easy and lovely recipe. Will first fry off the spices in a pan next time to mellow the spice flavour.

rebecca 2 years ago

Not one of my favourites!!

Leanne 2 years ago

So easy and absolutely gorgeous thank you

Emily 2 years ago

Delicious, absolutely loved it!

Alison 2 years ago

I used 1 aubergine and added half a cauliflower and chickpeas (dried and pre-cooked). Despite buying a pomegranate, I forgot to serve with the curry, neither did I use the lime - but still delicious and would make again. Greek yoghurt goes well especially for those needing less hot spices.

C 2 years ago

Another keeper! Thank you so much!

© 2026 The Doctor's Kitchen