Thai Green Curry is mild, fragrant and light and this vegetarian version is bursting with goodness. Easily adapted to add chicken, beef or fish, it’s the perfect way to save money from ordering a takeaway.
When we went to Thailand a few years ago, the thing I was most excited about was the food (shocking, right?).
Sure, the stunning islands and beaches, the rich history and culture and the friendliest people in the world were a big draw for us. But... the food! The food was what made us book those flights to Bangkok.
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Why you will love it
- Ready in 25 minutes
- Vegan
- Easy to adapt with any vegetables
- Includes recipe for Thai curry paste
Step by step
One: Add the lemongrass, garlic, shallots, ginger, chillies, coriander, lime, soy sauce and water to a food processor.
Two: Blend until a paste forms. You can also use a pestle and mortar if you don’t have a food processor.
Three: Heat the oil in a pan and add the butternut squash, sweet potato, shallots, red cabbage, tenderstem broccoli and baby corn. Cook for 5 minutes.
Four: Add the green curry paste and stir well.
Five: Add the coconut milk, pak choi, mangetout, spring onions and edamame and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Six: Serve with rice and a squeeze of lime.
What vegetables to add
You know that we are all about packing as many vegetables as we possibly can in to a meal. Well, I think we succeeded with this vegetarian Thai green curry!
There are chunks of sweet potato and butternut squash to make it filling and hearty; there is pak choi (bok choy) and tenderstem broccoli to add lots of greens; and the pepper and mangetout (snow peas) give it a nice crunch. I am not sure there is much else you could ask from a vegetable curry.
Thai curry paste
In this recipe we have included the ingredients and method to make the paste. We have another version of this Thai Curry Paste which is gluten free.
Adding protein
This Thai Green Curry is vegan, but you can easily add meat or fish, if that is what you prefer. It’s low in calories too, considering how filling it is.
If you don't want to add meat, then you could always add some tofu, mushrooms, beans or chickpeas.
What to serve it with
Some kind of rice is always a good choice when it comes to a side dish for a Thai green curry. Jasmine or coconut rice would add loads of extra flavour, however you can just use plain white or brown rice.
If rice isn't your thing, then you could serve this curry with noodles.
Extra tips
- To get the most flavour from lemongrass, it needs to be bruised. Lay it on a chopping board and, using the blunt edge of a large knife, strike the stalk several times along the length.
- Make this as mild or as spicy as you like. Make it spicier by adding extra chilli to the sauce, or milder by leaving it out completely and adding chilli flakes on top for those that want them.
- You can make the paste ahead of time and keep it in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Add some extra texture with a sprinkling of crushed peanuts before serving.
FAQs
Thai curry can be a really healthy and nutritious meal, especially when you make everything from scratch and pack it full of vegetables. Also, with the inclusion of garlic, turmeric and galangal, there are lots of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties too.
Of course it's important to watch your portion sizes, but avoid using too much cream and adding any sugar and you can definitely have yourself a healthy and grease free curry.
This curry is so easy to make that it is best made fresh, but you can make the paste ahead of time. Crush up all the paste ingredients and then put in the air tight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
It can! Let the curry cool to room temperature, then portion out into a suitable freezer container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If frozen, allow the curry to defrost fully. To reheat, simply microwave on full power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. You can also reheat in a saucepan on the hob (stove top) over a low heat. Add a splash of water and heat until reheated thoroughly.
More Thai recipes
If you’ve tried this vegetarian Thai green curry recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Vegetable Thai Green Curry
Ingredients
For the paste:
- 2 stalks Lemongrass - ends trimmed, bruised (see notes below) and roughly chopped
- 4 Garlic clove
- 4 Shallots - peeled and chopped
- 15 g (0.5 oz) Fresh ginger - peeled and chopped
- 2 Green chillies - small
- 25 g (1.5) Fresh coriander (cilantro) - stalks removed
- 2 Limes - (juice and zest only)
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 4 tablespoon Water
For the curry:
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Butternut squash - small; peeled and cubed
- 1 Sweet potato - peeled and cubed
- 4 Shallots - diced
- 0.25 Red cabbage - small; shredded
- 16 stalk Tenderstem broccoli
- 8 Baby corn
- 2 Pak choi (bok choy) - sliced lengthways
- 80 g (2.75 oz) Mangetout (snow peas)
- 4 Spring onion (Scallion) - sliced
- 150 g (1 cups) Edamame beans
- 400 ml (1.75 cups) Light coconut milk
Instructions
- Add 2 stalks Lemongrass, 4 Garlic clove, 4 Shallots, 15 g Fresh ginger, 2 Green chillies, 25 g Fresh coriander (cilantro), juice and zest of 2 Limes, 2 tablespoon Soy sauce and 4 tablespoon Water to a food processor.
- Blend until a paste forms. You can also use a pestle and mortar if you don’t have a food processor.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil in a pan and add 1 Butternut squash, 1 Sweet potato, 4 Shallots, 0.25 Red cabbage, 16 stalk Tenderstem broccoli and 8 Baby corn. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the green curry paste and stir well.
- Add 400 ml Light coconut milk, 2 Pak choi (bok choy), 80 g Mangetout (snow peas), 4 Spring onion (Scallion) and 150 g Edamame beans and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Serve with rice and a squeeze of lime.
Recipe Tips
- To get the most flavour from lemongrass, it needs to be bruised. Lay it on a chopping board and, using the blunt edge of a large knife, strike the stalk several times along the length.
- Make this as mild or as spicy as you like. Make it spicier by adding extra chilli to the sauce, or milder by leaving it out completely and adding chilli flakes on top for those that want them.
- You can make the paste ahead of time and keep it in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Add some extra texture with a sprinkling of crushed peanuts before serving.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Annmarie says
I can't eat anything too spicy but this does look good!!!
Agness says
I'm the biggest fan of Thai food in the world. I lived in Thailand for few months and I loved the food there Omomomomo!
Gingi says
I love thai food, but I am not very successful at making it at home.. you make me want to try again!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Sounds like you had a great trip! I've never had green curry before! It sounds delicious! Love the pretty color, too.
jess meddows says
Awesome! I'm on either JessicaMeddows or NthandSthNomads - my personal and my blog accounts :) Can't wait to share the awesome vegan food here with yoU! :D
shobha says
Delicious Thai curry .. love it !
Zsanett says
Honestly, I've never tried Thai food. But this looks sooooo delicious, now I want to try it. :)
Sonia Constant says
I love thai green curry. This looks yummy. Great recipe blog too. Nicely broken down.
Anna @AnnaTheApple says
I definitely enjoyed my food in America (you just have to!). Why limit yourself when you're in a beautiful foreign country where there are foods and tastes you can't get back at home?
Oh So Gawjess says
OMG wel je you really live the high life Danni!
Great recipe - you will be eating authentic soon!
@mcrbloggers
Laura says
My husband got to spend some time in Thailand and loved it when his brother lived there for a year teaching math. I confess, I'm not too confident in cooking Thai food, it's typically something we'd go out for. You're inspiring me to give it a whirl though and boosting my confidence. Thanks!
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says
Ooooh, I love a pad thai. My husband isn't a fan of Thai food so we don't have it often, unfortunately. This recipe looks gorgeous!
susie @ suzlyfe says
I love Thai food so hard, but curries can be a bit difficult for me if they are too rich. but making my curry from scratch? you bet. Do you know Jess from North and South Nomads? She lives in Chiang Mai and has incredible reviews on her site!
And be real, you're pretty pumped about Chicago :D
chantelle hazelden says
I love a good curry and this looks pretty easy to make although I'd have to take out the mushrooms :) x
Megan says
I must admit, I always buy curry paste in the jar, but seeing how easy it is to make, I am going to try it myself.