Thai green curry is a flavor packed, veggie filled meal that will satisfy your takeout cravings right at home! Refreshing and slightly spicy, this curry is sure to please your whole family. And since there is minimal prep involved and it cooks in less than a half hour thanks to the Instant Pot, you can easily make this any night of the week!
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What is Green Thai Curry
Green Thai curry uses green chilies, basil, lime leaves, and other ingredients to create a fresh tasting dish. Our take on this classic recipe uses the Instant Pot to cook the veggies in less than 30 minutes. And if you follow our cooking times, you won’t have any mushy veggies!
Our curry is packed with flavors. The basil really shines through. And it has just enough heat to satisfy your family members who like a hotter curry.
This dish is perfect for those following a vegan diet. Unlike other curry recipes, ours does not use any fish sauce, which makes it naturally vegan.
When you make this curry for your family, they will instantly fall in love with the flavors. And you’ll love that you can make this for them in no time at all!
Thai Green Curry Video Recipe
How does Thai Green Curry compare to other curries?
Traditionally, Thai curries got their name and color from the different chili peppers they used. Red chilies went into red curry, green into green curry, and yellow into yellow curry.
More recent recipes have added to the traditional ingredients. Green curry uses basil, lime leaves, and kaffir to help bring more flavors and enhance the green color. Red curries use red chilies as well as chili powder. And yellow curries use turmeric to add flavor and enhance the yellow flavor.
The dishes have some flavor differences due to the different ingredients with green often having a fresher flavor. Red curry is often hotter. And yellow curry often has an earthy flavor due to the turmeric.
You can control the heat of any curry by adding more or less chilis. Our version of green curry uses red chilis and has a mild to moderate heat level.
Of course, if you are in the mood for some great curry recipes and inspiration, why stop at just green curry? Here are some other great curries we love to share with our family and friends:
Thai Green Curry ingredients
When you are ready to make this delicious curry, here’s what you’ll need to have on hand:
- Sesame oil
- Crushed garlic
- Minced ginger
- Onion - white or yellow
- Green curry paste
- Lemongrass paste
- Kaffir lime leaves
- Coconut milk
- Baby corn
- Broccoli florets
- Small Zucchini
- Red bell pepper
- Red Thai chilies
- Extra firm tofu
- Fresh basil
- Coconut sugar
- Salt to taste
- Water
For serving, we like to use Instant Pot jasmine rice and then garnish with more fresh basil and lime wedges.
How to make Thai Green Curry?
When we make this curry, we use the Instant Pot. If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can see below for how to make it on the stove top.
First, press the tofu. To do this, place it on a plate and then stack another heavy plate and pot on top. Leave the tofu to press for 15 minutes while preparing the other veggies. When the tofu is ready, cut it into cubes.
Next, heat the sesame oil in the inner pot of the Instant Pot on Saute mode. Once heated, add onions, minced garlic, minced ginger, lemon grass paste, and green curry paste. Saute the mixture until the onions soften.
Add the baby corn, red chilli peppers, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, water, and salt to taste and then give it all a good stir. Cover the lid, seal the vent and pressure cook for 2 mins foollowed by a quick release.
Open the lid carefully and switch on the saute mode. Now add the broccoli, zucchini, red pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Adding the veggies allows the veggies to not become mushy.
Finally, switch off the Instant Pot, add fresh basil and coconut sugar, and stir until the basil leaves have wilted. Serve with warm jasmine rice or freshly made homemade naan.
Homemade vs store-bought green curry paste?
For convenience sake, we use store-bought green curry paste. Though we often recommend making your own sauces, gravies, and curries, sometimes using a pre-made version works well too.
But if you can make your own curry paste at home and have the time, you really can’t beat the flavor and freshness of a homemade paste.
How to make green vegetable curry on stove top
First, press the tofu. To do this, place it on a plate and then stack another heavy plate and pot on top. Leave the tofu to press for 15 minutes while preparing the other veggies. When the tofu is ready, cut it into cubes.
Next, heat the sesame oil over medium heat in a large pot. Once the oil is heated, add crushed garlic, minced ginger, onions, lemongrass paste, and green curry paste. Saute the mixture until the onions have soften.
Add the baby corn, broccoli, zucchini, red bell pepper, red chili peppers, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, water, and salt to taste and then give the mixture all a good stir.
Next, place a lid on the pot and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the veggies are softened.
Carefully remove the lid and then add the tofu. Cook for a couple minutes longer to cook the tofu and warm it through.
Finally, remove the pot from the stove, add fresh basil and coconut sugar, and stir until the basil leaves have wilted. Serve hot over rice, with naan, or your favorite bread.
Serving Suggestions
We love to serve this curry over jasmine rice. The rice acts like a vacuum, sucking up all the extra moisture so you can enjoy every last bit of flavor.
Another great option is to serve the curry with homemade naan. You can use the naan to scoop up the curry veggies, gravy, and rice. It is also a great way to ensure you don’t miss a single drop.
If you are feeding a large family or crowd, you may want to serve this alongside some other Asian inspired favorites. Some dishes you can serve along with this curry include:
Pro tips and tricks
Before starting the curry, check out these tips and tricks:
- Make sure you press the tofu for at least 15 minutes under heavy plates, pots, or other heavy objects. You can use just about anything you have on hand, just make sure not to go too heavy either. About one heavy plate and pot is all you need.
- Don’t over cook in the Instant Pot. Add the veggies in the Instant Pot as mentioned in the recipe to make sure they retain their firm texture.
- Add the veggies and tofu at the end, after pressure cooking the curry.
Is this green Thai curry vegan?
Yes, our Thai curry recipe is vegan. We only use veggies and tofu, both of which are acceptable for a vegan diet.
How to store this Thai green curry recipe?
Make sure when you store it to place in an airtight container. Also, store the curry by itself. We strongly recommend making rice fresh when you reheat the curry for the best flavor.
How long does this Thai green curry recipe keep?
Green curry will last in your fridge for about 2 to 4 days.
You can also freeze the curry in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months for optimal taste. When you are ready to eat it again, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.
How to reheat Thai Green Curry
When reheating, you can use your preferred method to reheat the curry.
If you want to use the microwave, cook it for about 3 minutes or until warmed through in a covered bowl or dish.
Also, you could reheat it on the stove top in a small to medium sized pot over low heat. As it heats, stir occasionally and heat until warmed through.
Let us know what you think
If you make this delicious recipe, let us know how it went! When you make this, be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind!
More Asian Recipe
Thai Green Curry Recipe
Thai Green Curry Recipe
Thai green curry is a flavor packed, veggie filled meal that will satisfy your takeout cravings right at home! Refreshing and slightly spicy, this curry is sure to please your whole family. And since there is minimal prep involved and it cooks in less than a half hour thanks to the Instant Pot, you can easily make this any night of the week!
Ingredients
- • Sesame oil 1 tbsp
- • Crushed garlic, 1 tbsp
- • Minced ginger, 1 tbsp
- • Onion 1, chopped (white / yellow)
- • Green curry paste 3 tbsp
- • Lemongrass paste 1 tbsp
- • Kaffir lime leaves 6 (torn into half)
- • Coconut milk 2 14. Oz cans (400 ml)
- • Baby corn 8 chopped
- • Broccoli florets, 4 ¼ cup (300 g)
- • Small Zucchini 2 , sliced
- • Red bell pepper 1, sliced
- • Red Thai chillies 2 , sliced
- • Extra firm tofu 8 oz. cubed (1 block)
- • Fresh basil ½ cup
- • Coconut sugar 1 tbsp
- • Salt to taste
- • Water ½ cup
For serving
- o Jasmine rice
- o Fresh basil
- o Lime wedge
Instructions
Instant Pot Thai Green Curry
When we make this curry, we use the Instant Pot. If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can see below for how to make it on the stove top.
First, press the tofu. To do this, place it on a plate and then stack another heavy plate and pot on top. Leave the tofu to press for 15 minutes while preparing the other veggies. When the tofu is ready, cut it into cubes.
Next, heat the sesame oil in the inner pot of the Instant Pot on Saute mode. Once heated, add crushed garlic, minced ginger, onions, lemon grass paste, and green curry paste. Saute the mixture until the onions soften.
Add the baby corn, red chilli peppers, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, water, and salt to taste and then give it all a good stir. Cover the lid, seal the vent and pressure cook for 2 mins foollowed by a quick release.
Open the lid carefully and switch on the saute mode. Now add the broccoli, zucchini, red pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Adding the veggies allows the veggies to not become mushy.
Finally, switch off the Instant Pot, add fresh basil and coconut sugar, and stir until the basil leaves have wilted. Serve with warm jasmine rice or freshly made homemade naan.
Stove Top Thai Green Curry
How to make green vegetable curry on stove top
First, press the tofu. To do this, place it on a plate and then stack another heavy plate and pot on top. Leave the tofu to press for 15 minutes while preparing the other veggies. When the tofu is ready, cut it into cubes.
Next, heat the sesame oil over medium heat in a large pot. Once the oil is heated, add crushed garlic, minced ginger, onions, lemongrass paste, and green curry paste. Saute the mixture until the onions have soften.
Add the baby corn, broccoli, zucchini, red bell pepper, red chili peppers, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, water, and salt to taste and then give the mixture all a good stir.
Next, place a lid on the pot and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the veggies are softened.
Carefully remove the lid and then add the tofu. Cook for a couple minutes longer to cook the tofu and warm it through.
Finally, remove the pot from the stove, add fresh basil and coconut sugar, and stir until the basil leaves have wilted. Serve hot over rice, with naan, or your favorite bread.
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Nina says
Is this recipe accurate in for 2 cans of coconut milk?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Nina, the recipe serves 6-8 people. If you want to cook for 4 people cut the recipe into half and use 1 can.
Renee says
I followed the recipe exactly, mbut it turned out really watery. Any suggestions on how to fix or where I went wrong?
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
Hi Renne,
It shouldn't have been too watery. Did you change anything in the recipe, as it has been tried by other people and nobody mentioned it was watery. Did you use frozen vegetables? Were the water and coconut milk proportions correct? To fix it you can saute the curry for a while so the liquid evaporates and thickens. Hopefully shouldn't happen next time.
Sonia says
Which green curry paste do you use?
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
You can use Thai Kitchen's Green Curry paste. It's available at Target, Walmart and other grocery stores. Or here is the amazon link https://amzn.to/3AXYULp
Laura says
Fabulous flavors. We enjoyed it very much.
Zarna Makwana says
From where do you get lemon grass paste? Or how do you make if ?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi zarna, you can find it in Walmart or any asain store