10 Best Recipes With Thai Red Curry Paste

Here are the 10 best recipes with Thai red curry paste that you won’t want to miss. These meals are beginner-friendly, so whether you’re grabbing your curry paste from the store or making it from scratch, you’re covered!

Collection of recipes with Thai red curry paste, including red curry and hor mok pla.

Into creamy coconut curries? Gotcha! Craving a spicy stir-fry? You’re in the right place! Trust me, you’re going to find something here that’s just begging to be cooked up tonight!

Whichever recipe becomes your new favorite, I promise it’ll taste ten times better with my homemade Thai red curry paste (you can use a food processor to save time)! Visit your grocery store and gather some fresh herbs like kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and lemongrass & grab your Thai mortar and pestle, and get ready to cook some seriously authentic Thai food.

Thai red curry paste in a small clay bowl, with fresh lemongrass, garlic, shallots, and red chilies in the background.

Recipes with red Thai curry paste

1. Thai pineapple curry

Close-up of Thai pineapple curry chicken, served in a coconut shell.

Thai pineapple curry is perfect for all you pineapple lovers out there! The pineapple adds a naturally sweet and refreshing flavor that’s simply irresistible. Trust me, this recipe is a tropical dish you must try!

2. Thai choo chee curry

Traditional Thai choo chee curry featuring whole shrimp in thick red coconut curry, garnished with herbs and chili.

What makes this choo chee curry special is its rich, creamy coconut sauce with a hint of sweetness, perfectly balanced by the bold flavors of Thai red curry paste. It’s a dish that’s both comforting and packed with flavor.

3. Thai kabocha squash curry

Thai kabocha squash curry with chicken served in a coconut shell.

This Kabocha curry is hands down the best you’ll ever eat – my niece and grandma both approve! The kabocha squash brings a naturally sweet and velvety texture to the dish, making each bite crave more.

4. Tod mun pla (Thai fish cakes)

A Thai woman and a young girl smiling while cooking tod mun pla, Thai fish cakes, in a large wok outdoors.

This Tod mun pla recipe is so much fun to make at home with the family! It’s the same recipe I used in my Thai restaurant, and it’s stolen the hearts of many. Give it a try and you’ll see why it’s impossible to resist.

5. Vegetarian mushroom curry

Bowl of vegetarian Thai mushroom curry with red sauce and red curry paste on the side.

Vegetarians, rejoice! This vegetarian Thai mushroom curry is all about those veggies, and it’s packed with flavor. Feel free to throw in your favorite vegetables – bell peppers, baby corn, snap peas, you name it! It’s a vegetable curry lover’s dream.

6. Bamboo shoot curry

Thai bamboo shoot curry with beef and chilies served in a coconut shell.

Bamboo shoot curry is one of my all-time favorite Thai curries because I grew up eating bamboo shoots on the daily. In Thailand, fresh bamboo shoots are a staple ingredient in many of my favorite dishes. In the West, you can easily find canned bamboo shoots at many grocery stores.

7. Pad prik king (red curry stir fry)

Pad prik king with pork, green beans, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai eggplants in a white dish. Behind it is another blurred out portion of the same dish.

Pad prik king is a delicious Thai street food option that’s all about bold flavors and quick cooking. This stir-fry combines spicy curry paste with crispy veggies and your choice of protein for a dish that’s both fiery and satisfying. It’s the perfect quick Thai dinner idea for anyone who loves a good kick of spice!

8. Hor mok pla (steamed fish curry)

Close-up of hor mok pla with rich red curry filling, coconut topping, and sliced chili in banana leaf cups.

Hor mok pla is a traditional Thai dish that’s truly something special. It’s a steamed fish curry wrapped in banana leaves, which gives it a unique, delicate flavor. This dish is a beautiful example of Thai culinary tradition, combining fresh fish with aromatic curry paste for a taste that’s both light and deeply flavorful.

9. Gaeng daeng kai (red chicken curry)

Traditional Thai red curry chicken (gaeng daeng) with rich coconut milk, bamboo shoots, and colorful bell peppers on a banana leaf background.

Gaeng daeng is a red curry recipe with chicken (use chicken breast or chicken thights) that’s a quick and easy dinner option perfect for beginners. The rich, flavorful curry comes together in no time, making it a go-to for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without the fuss.

10. Roasted duck curry

Thai duck curry with coconut milk and pineapple, featuring a wooden spoon lifting a slice of roasted duck from the curry bowl.

A Roasted duck curry isn’t something I make at home very often, but every time I do, I wonder why I don’t make it more! It’s a creamy dish where the duck adds richness and depth of flavor that’s just incredible.

Tip: This Thai coconut curry is perfect for the holidays – it’s a dish that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!

Tips for making these spicy dishes

Mix and match proteins: Thai red curry paste works with everything – chicken, beef, pork, tofu, shrimp, you name it. Don’t be afraid to mix things up and try new combinations.
Control the heat: If you love spice but don’t want to overpower the dish, start with a smaller amount of curry paste and gradually add more until you hit your desired heat level.
Serve with the right sides: Pair your favorite Thai recipes with red curry paste with cooling sides like jasmine rice or Thai noodles. These will help balance the heat and make each bite more enjoyable.
How to store Thai curry paste: If you’ve got leftover curry paste, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for months! You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for easy portioning.

What else can I make with Thai curry paste?

Did you know curry paste isn’t just for curries? It’s a versatile ingredient that you can toss into lots of dishes for an instant flavor boost.

Got some leftover rice? Toss in a spoonful of curry paste, and suddenly, that fried rice is a Thai restaurant-worthy dish – seriously, you might never make it any other way. Try Thai green curry fried rice!

Noodles with curry paste? Yes, please! It’ll give your noodles a spicy kick that’ll make you wonder why you didn’t think of this sooner.

And if you’re craving that cozy, creamy green curry, I’ve got the green curry recipe that’ll make you forget about takeout.

For something different, make sure to check out my koong karee (yellow curry stir-fry) recipe.

Here’s what to try next!

Conclusion

These easy recipes with Thai red curry paste are just perfect for any home cook and guaranteed to please the whole family! Don’t forget to mix it up with your favorite proteins and veggies to make them your own. Follow me on social media for more Thai cuisine insights! Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.