Trader Joe's Red Thai Curry Sauce Recipe

This Trader Joe’s Red Thai Curry Sauce Recipe is a fragrant and creamy sauce, which is made with Thai red curry paste and full-fat coconut milk. It’s the perfect base for a quick weeknight dinner, ready in about 25 minutes.

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Trader Joe’s Red Thai Curry Sauce Ingredients

1 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons ginger – minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 oz. Thai red curry paste
13.5 oz. full-fat unsweetened coconut milk – 1 can
1 cup lower sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons lime zest
1 teaspoon sugar
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
pinch of red pepper flakes – for extra heat

How To Make Trader Joe’s Red Thai Curry Sauce

Sauté the aromatics: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced ginger and garlic and stir constantly for one minute until fragrant.
Combine and simmer: Stir in the red curry paste, coconut milk, chicken broth, lime zest, sugar, salt, and pepper. If you like extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Thicken the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Serve: Use the sauce immediately over rice or noodles with your favorite protein and vegetables.

Trader Joe's Red Thai Curry Sauce Recipe — Trader Joe’s Red Thai Curry Sauce Recipe

Recipe Tips

How do I control the spice level? The heat comes from the curry paste and the optional red pepper flakes. Different brands of curry paste have different spice levels. For a milder sauce, start with less paste. For more heat, add the red pepper flakes.
Can I use light coconut milk? For the best results, full-fat coconut milk is highly recommended. It creates a much richer, creamier, and more authentic-tasting sauce. Light coconut milk will result in a thinner, less flavorful sauce.
Why does my sauce separate when stored? This is completely normal! The fat from the coconut milk will solidify and separate when chilled. Simply shake the jar or whisk the sauce as you reheat it, and it will become smooth and creamy again.
How can I add more authentic Thai flavor? For an extra layer of savory depth (umami), add a teaspoon or two of fish sauce along with the chicken broth.

How To Use Red Thai Curry Sauce

This versatile sauce is the perfect base for a quick and flavorful meal. Simmer it with:

Cubed chicken, sliced beef, or shrimp
Pan-fried tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian option
A medley of vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas
Serve the finished curry over jasmine rice or rice noodles

How To Store Red Thai Curry Sauce

Refrigerate: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Freeze: This sauce freezes beautifully. Pour it into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Red Thai Curry Sauce Nutrition Facts

Calories: 156kcal
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Sodium: 22mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What brand of red curry paste is best?

Authentic Thai brands like Mae Ploy or Maesri will give you the most authentic flavor and heat. For a widely available and milder option, Thai Kitchen is also a great choice.

Is this sauce vegan?

To make this sauce vegan, simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and, most importantly, check the label of your red curry paste. Some brands contain shrimp paste, while others (like Thai Kitchen) are vegan.

Why use full-fat coconut milk?

Full-fat coconut milk is essential for creating the rich, creamy texture that is characteristic of Thai curries. Light coconut milk has a higher water content and will not provide the same body or flavor.

Try More Recipes:

Trader Joe’s Inspired Mac and Cheese Recipe
Trader Joe’s Zucchini Pasta Salad Recipe
Trader Joe’s Jalapeño Sauce Recipe