Coconut Red Curry With Tofu Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Luke

I dried the tofu by sandwiching between cutting boards and paper towels with a weight on top. Then coated in olive oil and spices. Baked at 400 for 30 minutes while turning / stirring once in the middle. This makes a firmer tofu cube and allows it stay conisistent while reheating.

Dana

This was excellent. I am vegetarian and we substituted 1 tsp of soy sauce + 1 tsp of warm water for the fish sauce. We also used a little extra coconut milk, thinned with water, to increase the volume of the sauce. I suggest doing a careful mis en place with this dish -- chop and have all ingredients ready in small bowls by the pan -- because it goes fast once you get started.

Autumncook

CAUTION--apparently all red curry pastes are not the same. I made this and added the 3 T red curry paste as called for. It was super hot--my advice--try adding 1T at a time to get it to the level you want. Will try again as I think it would be delicious with the right level of spiciness.

Meredith

I strongly recommend making curry the first time without the hot peppers, as a lot of curry paste is already quite spicy, and consider using half a lime if yours are large. Finish with some thai basil leaves for an added bit of flavor.

Also- don't sniff the fish sauce. God, what was I thinking? Of course it smells 'off'.

Laura

You can skip pressing the tofu if you cut it into the size you want, place it in a glass or ceramic baking dish, and microwave it for 5 minutes. Pour off the liquid from the bottom of the dish. Repeat until there is no more liquid.

LauraC

No matter the recipe, when it comes to tofu, I always fry the pressed cubes until browned before incorporating them into the dish. They are crispy, more flavorful and have a better texture than simply using the plain cubes.

Mary

This was a perfectly delicious dish! I sauteed the mushrooms first cuz I like them a little golden; also I had to use white and sh*takes. Also, I doubled the coconut milk cuz I like lots of sauce. The lime juice and zest - essential!, it added such a clear note of flavor. It was the best use I have ever made of cilantro, which I love. The dish looked beautiful, colorful and bright, and the flavors - all could be tasted, nothing was muddied, all in harmony.

Rita Childs

I cut the tofu into small pieces, dust it with cornstarch, and saute it until crisp and golden brown before adding it. The texture and flavor is great and the cornstarch thickens the sauce just enough. It's great!

JennAustin

I used this as a base recipe for sauce proportions for a chicken curry I made in a pressure cooker. I followed everything in Step 2 until adding in the tofu and snow peas, when I added a cup of water along with 2 lbs of frozen chicken breasts, then cooked it at high pressure for 10 minutes.

It is, by far, the best curry dish I've ever made. The fish sauce added depth and the lime juice and zest added brightness.

I cannot wait to make it again.

Viccordion

I use chickpeas instead of mushrooms and make this at least once a month!!!!

Lee Norris

I found readers' suggestions about half a lime, 1 T of curry paste to start, thinly sliced red peppers, and a whole can of coconut milk right on target. But I was surprised that no one mentioned having to thicken the sauce. Maybe it's because I use reduced fat coconut milk, but when I made this dish it did not thicken until I added a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch, dissolved, of course, in a little water. Then it was perfect. Can't wait to try this with chicken of fish.

DJ

For the other vegetarians who might see this - in place of the fish sauce, try using tamarind pulp/paste mixed with soy sauce.

Bicka

Very good recipe. I followed others advice and started with 1 tbs of the paste and added more to taste. I also skipped the peppers and added thinly sliced red peppers and onion with the mushrooms to create a one pot meal. Served with rice noodles. Definitely will make again.

marmar

I used all 3 Tb of curry and the pepper. It really was perfect for us. Beautiful dish and quite delicious.

Joffrey

Coriander and cilantro are the same plant.

Roberta F

This is a very good base recipe that can be tweaked easily. I like my curries brothier, so I added extra curry paste & coconut milk, plus a chopped green bell pepper with the mushrooms & a handful of broccoli right at the end. Delicious!

Mikaila

This is SUPER fast to make and very flavorful! I used oyster mushrooms and green beans since I couldn't find snow peas. Left out fish sauce to make vegan and was absolutely delicious.

morgan

- double the sauce - swapped for broccoli zucchini and snap peas but would be good w any veg

Torrey

This just didn't do it for me. First off, I mistakenly threw in a whole can of coconut milk rather than the called for 1 cup, so maybe that was the issue. I also found the tofu chunks too large, I would do smaller 1/2" cubes next time. I would also go with regular coconut milk next time over the unsweetened. I've made other coconut curries w/ regular coconut milk and all those recipes had much better flavor than this one. But I don't know that I'll be making this one again.

AnnP

Use 3 TBS curry paste - not too hot. Lower fat coconut milk works

Jody

This was very tasty as well as quick & easy to make. Followed as instructed except as per some commenters, I only used one serrano to reduce the heat factor. The lime zest & juice were a good addition. Next time I may try the suggestion to dust in cornstarch & saute until crispy. Will adapt this recipe at some point, for chicken.

Candice

Fellow Home Chefs - Beware! This is spicy! Cut down the tbsps of spice. My husband, who is typically great with most foods, dipped a spoon in this and then his tongue on the spoon. He looked at me, turned around, and then cooked himself another meal. He offered me his food, but I chose to hold strong and attempt to conquer my spicy concoction. I stopped half way through and am now 1.25 ice cream cookie sandwiches in to soothing my burned ego and cooling my tastebuds.

Philadelphia

Not sure why this got 5 stars. My family loves curry and this was our least favorite curry recipe of all time. Just mentioning in case anyone else feels social pressure or cognitive dissonance looking at all those glowing reviews. You are not alone.

Taylor

This was delicious but way too spicy for my palette. Next time I would omit the chile pepper and buy an extra can of coconut milk. Be careful not to shake the coconut milk can even remotely so that you can separate the cream (I just used the cream for the most part). Best tip for tofu - freeze the whole block before hand and then let it thaw. It’s much more spongy and firm that way without cooking/frying it for long periods of time. Perfect consistency for this dish.

Cynthia

This has become a regular rotation meal. Easy, super tasty and very forgiving of you don't have a particular item on hand. Didn't have mushrooms bit did have butternut squash, subbed beautifully. No fresh ginger, Ginger Peoples' grated ginger works just fine. Taste the curry paste you are using g, some are spicier than others, the.addwd pepper may not be necessary. A fabulous recipe worthy of sharing.

Lauren

Substitute tamari for the fish sauce to make the meal vegetarian. This recipe made 2 large servings. I added more snow peas and more red curry paste (closer to 4TBSP than 3). Next time try added some raw cashews!

ADW

This was waaaaaay too spicy for me. I like a little bit of kick, but even using only half the amount of spice in the recipe, it was screamingly hot. Cut back on the curry paste or proceed at your own peril!

Cookie Boston

This was fantastic. As others commented, I drained, cubed and baked the tofu (400 oven, tossed with a bit of soy sauce, olive oil and cornstarch) and I used the whole can of coconut milk. When you put the lime in the coconut like this, man alive, it's great! I also used two serranos and the heat was spot on.

Angela

I didn't use all of the ingredients in the recipe, such as Thai chili, mushrooms, cinlantro or snow peas because we had none of those at home. Also, I used dried bean curd instead of firm tofu and cauliflower florets. Everyone in the family loved the dish. The flavor was fantastic! We had it with chopped green onions sprinkled on top and over rice. It's a keeper!

Jessica

fast and delicious, this is a keeper. It was a little too hot for my partner, though, so I’ll put in just one Serarno chili next time, with more on the side for those who can take it.

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Coconut Red Curry With Tofu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should you fry tofu before adding to curry? ›

About Tofu Curry

To begin with, first you will get rid of the excess moisture from the tofu and marinate it with spices and herbs for a short time until the curry is ready. It is then pan-fried and then added to the delicious curry sauce. So the Tofu in the Curry is full-flavored with a excellent texture!

How to make coconut curry creamier? ›

Best way to thicken is is to grate a potato or two in there. Potato is delicious in curries and adds creaminess naturally. I also like to turn some dry coconut flakes to powder using a coffee grinder and add it in. It intensifies the coconut flavor and thickens at the same time.

How many calories in Thai red curry with tofu? ›

A comforting dish that will please both vegans and meat-eaters - This curry is creamy, flavorful and delicious, that will even leave omnivores wanting for more ! Hearty, filling yet healthy - This vegan Thai red curry is packed full of veggies, and only contains about 350 calories per serving.

Does Thai curry need coconut milk? ›

You'd be hard-pressed to find a Thai recipe that doesn't include coconut milk. Both coconut cream and milk are staples in Thai cuisine, often used as a base for soups and curries. Choosing the right coconut milk can make all the difference to your dish.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

What happens if you don't press tofu before cooking? ›

And if tofu is vacuumed packed or firm already, you definitely don't need to press it. Here's why: moisture in tofu is a good thing. Tofu is over 80% water, and that moisture is what makes it such a succulent, juicy source of protein. Pressing it can make the tofu unnecessarily dry and strip it of its intended texture.

Is it better to use coconut cream or milk for curry? ›

Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

How do you thicken red coconut curry? ›

How to Thicken Curry
  1. Add dairy. Many curry sauces have a creamy texture, so try adding more dairy—like Greek yogurt, heavy cream, or a thick non-dairy ingredient like coconut cream—to thicken a watery curry sauce.
  2. Add ground nuts. ...
  3. Add lentils. ...
  4. Add peanut butter. ...
  5. Add a tomato product. ...
  6. Start with a roux. ...
  7. Use a slurry.
Jan 20, 2022

Should Thai red curry be runny? ›

Thai curries can be quite runny. Xanthan gum will give your sauce a thicker consistency. We've used Alpro Coconut Drink as a slimming-friendly alternative to coconut milk.

What's the lowest calorie Thai curry? ›

How Many Calories in a Bowl of Thai Curry?
Thai CurryApproximate Calories per Serving
Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)300-400 calories
Yellow Curry (Gaeng Karee)300-400 calories
Red Curry (Gaeng Phet)350-450 calories
Massaman Curry (Gaeng Massaman)400-500 calories
3 more rows

How many carbs are in curry tofu? ›

Macro Vegetarian Vegan Curry Tofu (1 container) contains 20g total carbs, 12g net carbs, 14g fat, 22g protein, and 270 calories.

How much fat is in Thai red curry? ›

Thai red curry
NutrientUnit
kcal425
fat32g
saturates17g
carbs8g
4 more rows

What is the secret to good Thai curry? ›

The secret to making amazing Thai curries is to use plenty of aromatics, like onion, ginger and garlic. Choose full-fat coconut milk for its richness (you won't regret it!). Stirring in just a little bit of rice vinegar and sugar adds tons of complexity.

When should coconut cream be added to curry? ›

Coconut cream is a common ingredient in many curries, adding richness and flavor to the dish. It also helps to thicken the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy texture. Coconut cream is usually added at the end of cooking, when other ingredients have already been simmered together.

Should I use canned coconut milk for curry? ›

The coconut milk cools the spices in curry and adds its signature nutty-sweet flavor and thick texture.

Should you fry tofu before marinating? ›

Cold, raw tofu rejects marinades because of its high water content and low porosity. It will eventually suck up a marinade, but mostly on the surface, and only after a long, long time (think a couple of days). Par-cooking it speeds up the process by driving out some of that water, leaving more room for seasonings.

Should tofu be cooked before adding to soup? ›

You can put raw tofu in the soup and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to warm and flavor it. Tofu can be eaten raw, so it's no problem to add it raw to soups.

Should you fry paneer before adding to curry? ›

Whether or not you need to fry paneer before cooking depends on the specific recipe you are following. Frying paneer can enhance its texture, add a crispy outer layer, and help it hold its shape during cooking. However, it is not always necessary, and some recipes may call for using paneer as is, without frying.

Can you eat tofu without frying it? ›

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

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