Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (2024)

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This vegan Thai red curry is a creamy and flavourful dish that’s quick and healthy, ready in just 30 minutes. Made with Thai red curry paste, coconut milk and vegetables, it’s much tastier than takeaway and perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions.

Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make at home, so you can enjoy restaurant-quality food in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (1)

About this Homemade Thai red curry

As someone who loves Thai cuisine and plant-based cooking, this vegan Thai red curry recipe is a go-to in my household. Just like Thai green curry and Thai Pineapple fried rice.

With healthy ingredients like coconut milk, and plenty of veggies, it’s a great way to get in a balanced meal. Plus, the Vegan red curry paste and spices give it a delicious flavour profile that’s unique to Thai food.

Whether you’re looking for a dinner idea or something to meal prep for weeknight meals, this recipe tutorial provides step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process. You can add protein of your choice like tofu or whatever is available at hand.

And the recipe takes just about 30 minutes in total...

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Why should you try this recipe?

  • Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a better option than takeout.
  • Fridge clear out meal: It’s also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you have in your fridge.
  • Customisable: Adjust the spice level and vegetable selection to suit your tastes.
  • Dietary needs: This dish is vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs.
  • Delicious flavours: This red curry is a perfect balance of sweet, savoury, and spicy flavours, all in one pot.
  • Versatile: It’s usually served with jasmine rice, but also tastes great with coconut rice, basmati rice, or naan bread.
  • Many ways to cook:This recipe can be made in an Instant Pot, pressure cooker, or on the stovetop.
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Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Thai curry paste: This is the base of the dish and provides most of the flavour. Red curry paste is made with red chilli peppers, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, coriander, cumin, and other spices. You can either make your own paste at home or use a store-bought version that is vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. I use Tesco brand of Red Curry paste that is suitable for vegans.
  • Coconut milk: This gives the curry its signature creamy texture and a hint of sweetness. It’s important to use full-fat coconut milk for best results.
  • Coconut oil: This is used to sauté the ginger, garlic, and onions, and adds a subtle coconut flavour to the dish. You can sub with any alternative neutral flavour oil.
  • Vegetables: Use any combination of vegetables you like, but some good options include bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and snow peas. Aim for about 2.5 cups of chopped vegetables.
  • Soy sauce or tamari sauce: This adds a rich, umami flavour to the curry.
  • Sugar: A touch of sugar balances out the flavours and helps to cut the spiciness and tanginess of the curry paste.
  • Rice vinegar: This adds a tangy, slightly sour note to the dish.
  • Thai basil and coriander leaves: These fresh herbs add a burst of flavour and aroma to the finished dish.
  • Lime juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving brightens up the flavours and adds a refreshing touch.
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How to make Vegan Thai Red Curry on Stove Top – Step by Step:

  1. Heat oil in a pan, add finely chopped onions, and ginger-garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes until onions are translucent.
  2. Add Thai Red Curry Paste along with 1 tablespoon of coconut milk.
  3. Fry the red curry well until it releases the aroma, for about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add Coconut milk and 1/4 cup water. Stir the red curry paste and coconut milk.
  5. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and sugar. Stir well.
  6. Add 2 1/2 cups of vegetables. Stir to combine. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are still a little crunchy.
  7. Taste and season more if needed. Tip in Thai basil and a squeeze of lime juice.
  8. Garnish with red chilies, Thai basil, and coriander. Serve authentic Thai red curry with steaming rice.
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Serving Suggestions

This aromatic Vegetable Thai red curry can be served with a variety of sides

  1. Rice: Serve the curry with a side of steamed jasmine rice, basmati rice or brown basmati rice.
  2. Noodles: Thai red curry can also be served with noodles, such as rice noodles or egg noodles.
  3. Vegetables: Serve the curry with a side of roasted mixed vegetables or air fryer roasted broccoli, air fried cauliflower, or sautéed bell peppers.
  4. Naan or Roti: If you prefer to have bread with your curry, you can serve it with homemade naan bread or chapatis.

Storing leftover Vegan Thai red curry

Refrigerate: Once the curry has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freeze: If you don’t plan to eat the leftover curry within a few days, you can freeze it. Transfer the red curry to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months.

Thaw: Thaw the frozen red curry in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Alternatively defrost in the microwave.

Reheat: To reheat the curry, you can either use the stovetop or microwave. If using the stovetop, transfer the curry to a saucepan and heat it over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If using a microwave, transfer the curry to a microwave-safe bowl, and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

Add liquid: When reheating the curry, you may need to add some liquid, such as water or coconut milk, to thin it out and bring it back to its original consistency.

FAQ’s

Where can I buy Vegetarian Thai curry paste in UK?

Supermarkets such as Tesco sell Thai curry paste in their international food aisles or in the Asian food section.

Is Thai red curry vegan?

Thai red curry can be made vegan by using plant-based ingredients such as vegetables, tofu, and plant-based protein instead of meat or seafood.

What vegetables can I add to Thai red curry?

You can add a variety of vegetables to Thai red curry such as bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, and eggplant.

Can I make Thai red curry without coconut milk?

Coconut milk is a traditional ingredient in Thai red curry and adds richness and creaminess to the dish. However, if you are allergic to coconut or prefer not to use it, you can use other plant-based milk such as almond milk or soy milk instead.

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Vegan Vegetarian Thai red curry recipe below

Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (9)

Homemade Vegan Thai red curry

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 People

Calories: 293kcal

Author: Sandhya Hariharan

Our homemade Vegan Thai red curry is creamy, flavourful, aromatic and so easy to make at home. Ready in just 30 minutes, this curry is quick, delicious and healthier than the takeaway.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 medium white onion finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp Thai Red Curry Paste
  • 1 can coconut milk (400ml)
  • ¼-½ cup water or as needed
  • ¾- 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp soya Sauce
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp lime juice

Vegetables

  • 6 Baby Corn
  • 6 Mangetouts ( Snow peas)
  • 1 carrots peeled and sliced into circles
  • 4 Stalks Broccoli Tenderstem

Garnishes

  • 5-6 Thai Basil
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Coriander leaves
  • Red Chilli or Siracha Sauce optional
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  • Heat Oil, add finely chopped onions along with a pinch of salt. Once onions have softened and translucent, add Ginger- Garlic. Saute for another 2 minutes until raw smell has eliminated. Make sure to stir continuously to avoid burning.

  • Add Red Curry Paste, 1 tbsp coconut milk and stir well until well combined. Fry the curry paste well until the aroma is released.

  • Add the remaining coconut milk, soy sauce,sugar, rice vinegar, salt and 1/4 cup of water and stir.

  • Add all the vegetables and cook covered further for 4-5 minutes until they are a bit soft.

  • Switch off the flame and add thai basil and squeeze of lime juice.

  • Taste and season more with soy sauce, rice vinegar and salt, if you need more punch.

  • Divide the cooked rice and curry into bowls and garnish with basil, red chilli and coriander leaves.

Notes

If you like your curry a bit more spicier, add a drizzle of siracha sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.1g | Protein: 5.1g | Fat: 24.3g | Saturated Fat: 19.8g | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 777mg | Fiber: 3.2g | Sugar: 6.6g | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 4mg

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Thai

Keyword: thai red curry, vegan thai red curry, vegetable thai red curry

Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhyaskitchen and Hashtag #sandhyaskitchen!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (10)Alex says

    Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (11)
    Beautiful! I adore Thai curry myself. I always, always love finish it with lots of fresh lime juice 🙂

    Reply

    • Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (12)Sandhya Hariharan says

      That is fabulous…

      Reply

  2. Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (13)Bharathi Ranganathan says

    Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (14)
    Lovely post Sandhya 🙂 the pictures looks extremely delicious ! i am bookmarking this one 🙂

    Reply

    • Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (15)Sandhya Hariharan says

      Hope you enjoy making them Bharathi.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Easy Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe - Sandhya's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Is Thai Kitchen red curry vegan? ›

Readily available store-bought Thai red curry paste adds characteristic Thai flavor and, bonus, the Thai Kitchen brand is vegetarian. You can make your own if you're so inclined, though.

Is Thai red curry usually vegan? ›

Very often traditional Red Curry paste can be but the propensity to use shrimp paste in Thai recipes means you need to double-check the ingredients list. As long as it doesn't have any prawn products listed it should be veggie.

Can vegans eat Thai curry? ›

Thailand is traditionally a Buddhist country and many Buddhists are vegetarian or vegan, making Thai food generally plant based. This has changed over time and meat and seafood are now common ingredients in Thai food, but it's still vegan-friendly cuisine.

How do you add depth to Thai red curry? ›

To further the complexity of flavors, we also add Thai sweet chili sauce, and the classic cast of Thai food characters: soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, dried basil and a bay leaf. Its a somewhat long list of ingredients, but most of them you are just dumping into the sauce.

Why is curry sauce not vegan? ›

Curry sauces can vary widely, and some may contain animal-derived ingredients such as dairy or fish sauce. Double-check the ingredients to make sure they're vegan.

Is Thai food mostly vegan? ›

The first thing you might realize when learning about the different varieties of Thai foods is that most items are vegan. But you should note that there are a few dishes that use are not completely plant based. A common ingredient found in a lot Thai dishes are fish based seasonings such as fish sauce and oyster sauce.

Can vegans have coconut milk? ›

Yes, coconut milk is vegan, making it a great alternative to dairy for those on a plant-based diet. So the next time you're in the mood for a co*cktail, you don't have to shun the Pina Coladas. Looking for some vegan milk recommendations?

What's the difference between red curry and Thai curry? ›

Traditionally, all Thai curries were made with the same ingredients except for one thing: the chillies. Red curry was made with several red chillies for a fiery hot dish, while green curry was made with green chillies, and yellow curry was made with yellow chillies.

Which meat is best for Thai red curry? ›

Type of Beef for Thai Red Curry

This is a quick ready in less than 30 minute recipe, so for this recipe you want a quick frying cut of beef like sirloin steak, flank or tenderloin, you can also use stir fry beef strips if you have that available to use.

What percent of Thailand is vegan? ›

Share of plant-based food consumers Thailand 2019-2025

In 2019, around eight percent of the total population in Thailand did not eat meat. This percentage was forecasted to increase in the coming years, reaching 15 percent in 2025.

Which color curry is vegan? ›

Red curry is also pretty hot, but a touch sweeter than green. Yellow curry is mellow and mild. Massaman is perfect if you love peanuts and warming spices. Any of these curries can be made vegan.

Which Thai curry is vegan? ›

Some usually vegan friendly dishes are Red Curry, Pad Thai ordered without egg, and Massaman Curry. But as previously stated, don't be afraid to ask if they can make a certain dish vegan without fish sauce.

How do Thai restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

Often, Thai curries are made using coconut milk as the main liquid, which results in a creamy consistency. You can use as much or as little coconut milk as you wish based on your preference for texture, spice, and flavor.

What thickens a Thai curry? ›

Coconut milk or cream:

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

Can you use yogurt instead of coconut milk in Thai curry? ›

Although Greek yogurt may not immediately come to mind, it's a creative substitute for coconut milk because of its thick consistency. To replace 1 cup (240 ml) of coconut milk, mix 1 cup (240 ml) of Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water.

What are the ingredients in Thai Kitchen red curry paste? ›

RED CHILI PEPPER, GARLIC, SOYBEAN OIL, LEMONGRASS, GALANGAL (THAI GINGER), SALT SHALLOT, SPICES, KAFFIR LIME.

Which curries are usually vegan? ›

Some vegan-friendly North Indian curries include chana masala (chickpea curry in a tomato sauce), aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower in a ginger garlic turmeric sauce), baingan bharta (mashed eggplant), bhindi (okra), cabbage, and aloo matar (potatoes and peas in a spiced tomato sauce).

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