This Vegan Thai Red Curry has the most flavorful, creamy sauce and is totally customizable depending on what vegetables you have on hand. Ready in about 30 minutes.
Is there anything more cozy than a big bowl of curry?
This recipe is inspired by all the wonderful authentic Thai curries I’ve enjoyed, but it is certainly not authentic and uses a store bought curry paste.
The sauce is to die for. And it’s quite simple to make! You can make all sorts of substitutions in this curry depending on what you have on hand.
- Serve over noodles, brown rice or white rice
- Use a mix of frozen and fresh vegetables
- Purchase some pre-chopped vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, peppers or carrots
- Add some baked or fried tofu, or tempeh
Another bonus – It freezes well! I usually end up freezing some of the leftovers for quick future lunches.
How to make Vegan Thai Red Curry
Have everything ready before you start. Chop all your veggies and start your rice cooking.
- Sauté the chopped onion in a large pan for a few minutes.
- Add bell peppers, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Now add the curry paste (<— this is the one I use and love), coconut milk and water. Stir.
- Stir in the kale or spinach. Bring to a boil, then simmer mixture, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
Finally, stir in the diced tomatoes, maple syrup, soy sauce and fresh lime juice. Remove from heat. Serve immediately over rice (or noodles) with fresh basil or cilantro and hot sauce, if desired.
Want more curry recipes?
- 20 Minute Chickpea Curry
- Easy Vegan Curry
- Cauliflower Sweet Potato Curry Soup
- Chickpea and Eggplant Curry
Red Thai Curry Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced into 2 inch slices
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced into 2 inch slices
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks or small rounds
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- 1 15-oz can full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups thinly sliced kale OR spinach
- 2 medium roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce (tamari for gluten free)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
- Optional: Sriracha hot sauce, fresh chopped basil or cilantro
Instructions
- First, prepare all of the vegetables and have them close by before you heat the pan. To make the recipe easier, purchase pre-chopped vegetables or frozen. Cook your rice according to package instructions.
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once it's warm, add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds.
- Now add the bell peppers, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes.
- To the pan, add the red curry paste, coconut milk, and water. Stir well for a few minutes, until the curry paste is dissolved in the coconut milk/water. Now add the kale or spinach and stir it in. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and cook covered for 5-10 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.Â
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes, pure maple syrup, soy sauce and fresh lime juice. Remove from heat.
- Serve immediately with cooked rice and optional Sriracha and fresh basil/cilantro if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use many different vegetables in this curry. Switch it up with zucchini, brussels sprouts, or make it easier by using frozen mixed vegetables such as broccoli-cauliflower-carrot mix. Use what you have on hand.
- You could also add a protein such as tofu or tempeh. I would stir fry them separately first, then add to the final mix.
- I love this Thai Kitchen brand of red curry paste. Look for it or another like it in the Asian section of most grocery stores.
- You can use light canned coconut milk if you prefer, it just won't be nearly as creamy.
- Nutrition facts do not include rice, only the curry.
Nutrition
*This recipe was originally published March 2018 and has been reposted with new photos.
Very good. Use veggies on hand. I cut paper strips narrower..
Greetings from Germany…
I found this recipe and had to try it 😊
I used a little less of the red curry paste, left out the spinach and lime – but ‚oh my‘ is it spicy 😉 the color of the broth is also very light but didn’t want to add more the red curry paste cause of the spiciness already… any tips or tricks on how to get the broth more vibrant color and leave a bit of the spice out?
Hi Sabine. You can make this with yellow curry paste instead, which is very mild. It should give the broth a vibrant color and flavor without much or any heat 🙂
I’m so glad I found your recipe! This was my first time ever attempting to make curry, but it’s one of my favorite dishes so I wanted to try it out! I have eaten at many different authentic Thai restaurants and this recipe did not disappoint in the flavors and consistency I was looking for! I followed your recipe to a T, except I only used frozen broccoli instead of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, and I also added some little red potatoes, unpeeled. I love bell peppers, broccoli and potatoes in my curries! All I did was put my potatoes to boil while prepping and starting the curry, then I cut them into chunks and added them after mixing in the spinach so they wouldn’t get mushy. AMAZING! I read a lot of reviews about the consistency and I thought the consistency was perfect, even with the added water. This is definitely on my repeat dinner list! So glad I can now make one of my favorite dishes at home!
Your curry sounds wonderful, Kristin! Thanks for sharing the adjustments you made and for your terrific review! 🙂
This is my favorite curry recipe and honestly the only one I make. I make it really often as it’s a great way to use up those weird odds and ends of fresh veg or use frozen! I’m trying not to use canned coconut milk as much due to the saturated fat. I have dried unsweetened coconut and I’m thinking of using it in a cashew cream sauce instead of the canned milk? Hope it doesn’t ruin it!!
I’m so glad you love this curry recipe so much, so do I! I have made it with cashew cream before and it works great, but the curry will be thicker. Not really a problem, you can always add more water to thin it out if you’d like. Thank you!
Another amazing recipe from this blog! I’ve been trying to make Thai red curry with different store-back sauces, different recipes, etc. but found them all lacking. This one is so so good! I adjusted by adding some no-chicken bullion and did not have like. Regardless, this was super great and my skeptical boyfriend even loved it. Thank you again, can always trust your recipes! 🙂
You are welcome, Brenda! How terrific you and your boyfriend loved the recipe! Thanks for sharing your wonderful feedback and review!
So delicious! Easy to make and able to be altered with vegetables of your choice!
I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for using my recipe and for your wonderful review!
Loved the use of veggies in this recipe. It definitely made it blend together nicely. It would be better over noodles than the brown rice I served it with. Also, if you want a non vegan spinoff, try a tablespoon or two of butter when sautéing.
Amazing- I used yellow curry paste- added; mushrooms, zucchini, and yellow squash over a wild/white rice mix.
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your meal experience and review!
Hi! Can this be frozen please?
Yes, I have frozen it many times and it works well. Delicious meal from the freezer!
Delicious and definitely a keeper at our house! I was out of tomatoes, so I left them out and added zucchini. I also substituted green curry paste for the red since I was out of the red (I looked it up and green can be substituted for red in recipes, but it’s milder). I like the idea from others of using what veggies you have. I was out of bell peppers, so I increased the cauliflower and broccoli. We served this over quinoa and sprinkled sesame seeds on top. I omitted the water and the sauce seemed great. I did use some water when cooking the veggies so there was some in my pan already.
Hi Lorna. Thank you for sharing your experience, ideas, and feedback on the curry recipe! I’m so glad you loved it! It is a great recipe to use a variety of vegetables in! Happy cooking!
Delicious but I agree with others, it’s too watery. Maybe that’s just personal preference but I made a cornstarch slurry and that helped a bit. I think some of it comes from condensation on the lid of the pan. If I made it again, I would omit the extra water and try my best to not get any condensation into the pan.
Just made this for lunch and it was delicious! A great way to use the fresh garden veggies in my fridge. Peas, carrots, snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, you can throw in whatever you have. I threw in a jalapeno (seeded and cored) because I had one, and after reading the comments I omitted the water. The sauce thickened nicely and the flavour was great. It took me almost an hour from start to finish, but it was worth it as I have leftovers to reheat. I served it over brown rice ramen, but I could have omitted the noodles easily. This will go in my rotation for work lunches.
Hi Linda. Thank you for taking time to share your wonderful review and feedback! Your curry sounds really delicious!
What is the serving size?
New subscriber, slowly converting to a vegan diet.
Great, easy and simple recipe- thanks.
However, agree with those that suggested not adding water to this curry.
FYI, depending on the region, Thai green curry could be spicier (hotter) than red!
Can’t wait to make this! Is there a way to convert this recipe for the instant pot? Thanks for your great recipes! You are very appreciated!
You’re so welcome, Kat! I haven’t tried making this in the Instant Pot but I’m sure it can be done. It shouldn’t take long either!
The flavors were good, but the consistency was more watery and less creamy than I expected. I might try it again and omit the water.
I made this last night, and it tasted amazing! I omitted the kale and tomatoes at the end. I also water sauteed the onion instead of using oil. And I cut the water down to 1/4 cup.
I’m so glad that you loved the curry, Diana! Thank you for sharing your great review and feedback! Wishing you happy cooking!
Definitely a keeper! Based on other reviews, omitted the water and the consistency was perfect! I’m not a Kale eater (gasp!) and didn’t miss it at all. Also added chicken (double gasp!) and it was delicious. Shrimp would probably be good too. Thanks for sharing the recipe, it’s a good one to have in the rotation!
Hi Michelle. I’m thrilled that you loved the curry! Thanks for sharing your terrific feedback! I’m glad the recipe is going into your meal rotation! Happy cooking!
Thank you very much for posting this recipe 🙂
One of my favorite recipes!! So versatile you can use whatever veggies you have. I usually add extra curry paste and a jalapeño for extra heat. Also I leave out the extra water, as we like it on the creamy side. We’ve made this several times now and it never disappoints. So good.Â
This was so delish. A few adjustments:
Marinara instead of tomatoes cause that’s what I had; coconut sugar instead of maple syrup; 2 tsp turmeric; frozen peas at the end and 1 T of arrowroot to thicken it. Served it over jovial cassava orzo and it was perfection.Â
We liked the flavors but felt it was more broth than we preferred. Made a cornstarch slurry which gave it a bit more body. Added browned extra firm tofu to make it a full meal deal.
I’ve made this 2 times so far and it’s been fabulous both times. I love that I can use whatever vegetables that I have on hand! I used a bit more curry paste than the recipe calls for but I think that’s personal preference. We served ours over ramen noodles; delish!
I forgot that I do add about 1-2 cups veggie broth depending on how many vegetables I’ve thrown in so that I have enough broth.Â
I’m so glad you are enjoyed the curry, thanks for sharing!
Great recipe! My daughter loved it! I like that this recipe is versatile. I omitted Kale and spinach and used California blend vegetables. I used honey instead of maple syrup. It came out beautiful!
Been meaning to share this review for the longest time now!
This is our absolute favourite. So much so, that we will have it at least every second or every third week during winter! 🙂 Love adding mushrooms to the mix.Â
Some spring onion and coriander towards the end of cooking adds a nice little lift! However, the recipe as is, is absolutely delicious!!
Thankyou NoraÂ
Thank you for sharing your wonderful review and comments! I’m glad you love the curry, and thrilled you have added it to your meal rotation!
Can you sub soy milk or will it ruin the recipe? Â Thanks.Â
You could, it just won’t be as rich and may have a little soy milk taste to it. Canned coconut milk is much more rich and creamy.
I love this recipe! Yesterday was probably my fourth time making it. I am not a big fan of maple syrup, so I used coconut sugar instead. I also added a jalapeno pepper because I like spicy food.
I’ve had to use 2 cans of coconut milk each time I’ve made this, otherwise it isn’t really soupy at all. Nora, do you know why this might be?
I’m glad you are enjoying the recipe! You can use more coconut milk if you want it to be quite thin and soupy, but it’s not meant to be a soup, but a thicker curry to go over rice. But it’s fine to adjust it to your preferences. Thanks!
I have been vegan for 10 weeks now and eaten a lot of veggies, this was my first curry and wow, sooo tasty, I had it with rice and naan bread and I put this meal to the top of my favourite meal list ??
Thank you so much, that is wonderful to hear! This is one of my all time favorite things to eat.
This looks delicious and can’t wait to try! Caution to Sheila……very few naans are vegan. ? the struggle is real!
I think you’re going to love it! Enjoy!