Incredible Vegan Thai Green Curry

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This restaurant-quality Vegan Thai Green Curry will blow your mind, especially because you can make it in 45 minutes! Use store-bought curry paste to keep it weeknight friendly. Or, take it over the top by making with my homemade Green Curry Paste!
Prep 20 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 45 minutes
5 from 60 votes

When you’re craving big flavors but not the work that comes with most extravagant dishes, turn to this gourmet Vegan Thai Green Curry.

For an easy 45-minute weeknight dinner, make this green curry with store-bought curry paste (and a few choice extras to amp up the flavor). Or, for the best possible curry, make this with my Homemade Thai Green Curry Paste.

A thoughtful blend of Thai aromatics and herbs, green curry paste, and silky-smooth coconut milk bring bold and fragrant flavors that will make your taste buds dance, while a mix of tofu and vegetables make this a complete dinner. 

Table of Contents
1. Why this recipe works
2. Ingredient notes
3. Step-by-step instructions
4. Tips for making this recipe
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Recipe card with notes

backlit shot of Thai vegan green curry with crispy tofu and vegetables in a green saucepan with beer and limes in background.

Why this recipe works

As close to the real deal as possible.

After hours if not days of researching, watching Thai YouTube videos, and taste-testing Thai green curries from several local Thai restaurants, I feel pretty confident that this vegetarian Thai green curry is as close to the real deal as possible (and super delicious)!

You’ll get *the most amazing* fresh flavor if you make my homemade Thai green curry paste, but even a good-quality store-bought green curry paste will make this curry sing with fantastic flavor. 

The homemade paste is a labor of love, but it stays good in the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks. You can also freeze leftover paste and it tastes just as good in the curry!

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Plus, the rest of the ingredients, from fresh lime leaves to Thai basil, all contribute to the characteristic flavors you love in a traditional restaurant-style Thai green curry. 

Well-balanced in flavor. 

During my time spent backpacking Thailand many years ago, I attended a weekend-long cooking retreat. The most important thing I learned was how to balance flavors to make each dish taste harmonious. 

I applied those same teachings to this vegan green curry: 

  • The curry paste starts things off with a baseline of spicy, pungent, salty, and slightly bitter flavors.
  • The fattiness from the coconut milk tempers these strong flavors, while the soy sauce adds the necessary savory punch.
  • A bit of coconut sugar adds sweetness to temper the fire while amping up the savoriness. 
  • To finish, lime leaves infuse bright citrus and a final squeeze of acidic lime juice brightens things up.

Creamy and rich. 

A classic Thai curry is full-bodied with a silky and rich mouthfeel, and this curry absolutely delivers thanks to full-fat coconut milk. 

We first tested this curry with only 1 can of coconut milk, and it was definitely lacking in texture (chunky but not creamy) and flavor (too spicy, too tangy). We found that with the amount of curry paste, tofu, and vegetables, the curry was begging for more coconut milk. 

With 2 cans, the result is nothing short of spectacular! Yes, it’s indulgent and it’s absolutely worth it!

closeup photo of Thai green curry with tofu and vegetables and thai basil in a green saucepan.

Ingredient notes

ingredients for vegan Thai green curry on a wooden cutting board with ingredients labeled.

Green curry paste. This is the #1 essential ingredient in any Thai green curry. Green curry paste (prik gaeng khiao waan in Thai) is the spicy and fragrant base of the dish, made by pounding chiles, aromatics, herbs, and spices in a mortar and pestle. 

Choose between store-bought curry paste (convenient) or my Homemade Thai Green Curry Paste (extra delicious and fresh). 

Note: Not all store-bought green curry paste is vegan-friendly, as some contain shrimp paste. Head to the Tips section for my recommended curry paste brands. 

Coconut milk. Any Thai curry, whether green or red, requires full-fat coconut milk. Use canned coconut milk or the kind in a shelf-stable box.

Tip: Buy full-fat coconut milk in a can, not coconut cream, cream of coconut, or coconut milk in a carton. Also, choose the brand with the fewest ingredients, if possible.

Substitute: There is no substitute for coconut milk in Thai curry. That said, if you want lighten this curry up, sub ½ to 1 cup (120 to 240 mL) of the canned coconut milk with vegetable broth, vegan “chicken” broth, or water. Or, use 1 can “lite” coconut milk and 1 can full-fat coconut milk.

Lime leaves. One of the must-have ingredients in a classic Thai curry. It brings a magical citrusy aroma and that bright je nais se quois flavor you love in Thai curries.  

Where to buy: Fresh lime leaves are sold at Southeast Asian grocers and large Asian markets like HMart. They may be labeled as “lime leaves,” “makrut lime leaves,” or “kaffir lime leaves.”

Substitute: Order dried makrut lime leaves online (affiliate link). Keep them whole or gently crumble or snip each leaf to release more flavor (remove before serving).

Soy sauce. Adds the savory depth of flavor, replacing the more traditionally used ingredient, fish sauce. If you happen to have vegan fish sauce at home, go ahead and use it instead but start with less (2 to 3 teaspoons). 

Substitute: Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce if gluten-free.

Tofu. This is the protein in our vegan green curry. To keep things quick but to improve the texture, tofu cubes are boiled in salted water to give them an enhanced chewy texture and a more enjoyable flavor. It’s the same method I use in my Tofu Curry recipe.

If you love crispy tofu and have a little extra time, pan-fry or bake the tofu instead. Instructions are in the “Can I fry or bake tofu instead?” section.  

Vegetables. You’ll find Thai or Chinese eggplant and bamboo shoots in most authentic Thai green curry recipes. You can get creative with your veggie choices if you aren’t a fan of these two—there are several options to choose from in the recipe card!

Thai basil. The Thai basil leaves are stirred into the curry at the end to give it a subtle pop of spice and notes of anise.

Substitute: Use fresh cilantro if you can’t find Thai basil.

Thai green curry with tofu and vegetables and thai basil in a green saucepan on a green table.

Step-by-step instructions

Boil the tofu. Bring a pot of water to a boil. While you wait, slice the tofu into slabs and press out the excess water with a kitchen towel. Chop the slabs into ~ 3/4″ (2 cm) cubes. 

Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water, followed by the tofu. Boil for 2 minutes, then drain.

Note: If you want to fry or bake the tofu instead of boiling it, see the next section.

Start the curry. Add a few spoons of the coconut milk to a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Let it bubble for a few minutes before stirring in your green curry paste (store-bought or homemade).

Note: If using store-bought curry paste, add in your extra aromatics (garlic, ginger or galangal, and lemongrass with the curry paste.

Keep stirring until the paste starts to dry out.

Now pour in the rest of the coconut milk. 

Add the lime leaves, sugar, and soy sauce. Let the sauce simmer until it starts to thicken.

Add the veggies. Add your vegetables of choice and broth.

Simmer until the vegetables are crisp-tender (eggplant takes the longest).

Note: If using the boiled tofu method, add the boiled tofu with the vegetables.

Turn off the heat and add a squeeze of lime juice if desired. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Remove the lime leaves, then stir in the Thai basil. 

vegan thai green curry with vegetables and tofu in a green saucepan on a green table.

Can I fry or bake the tofu instead?

The default method—boiling the tofu—is the quickest and easiest option and still tastes delicious. Boiling the tofu in salted water makes it chewier, so it doesn’t taste like raw tofu and absorbs the curry sauce better.

That said, if you want a crispier tofu, you can definitely pan-fry or bake the tofu (or deep fry if you’re feeling frisky!).

How to pan-fry tofu cubes

  • Slice the tofu block into 4 vertical slabs. Gently press down on them with a towel a few times to remove excess water. Weight down the slabs with a heavy cookbook and and press for 10 to 15 minutes, changing the towels in between if you can.
  • Chop the tofu into ~ ¾ inch (2 cm) cubes. Position the cubes together on a cutting board. Now sprinkle a few pinches of salt on the cubes. 
  • Heat 2 to 3 TBSP neutral-flavored oil in a 12-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat.
  • Pack the tofu into a spider tool or slotted spoon to make it easy to add it to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu. Push the tofu around in the oil to evenly coat in one layer.
  • Fry until golden brown on the bottom, about 5 to 6 minutes. Take a minute or two to carefully flip each piece with a thin spatula. Cook on the second side until golden brown on the bottom, about 4 to 5 minutes. The sides won’t be fried but the crunchy-soft texture combo is great in the curry.
  • Transfer tofu to a paper towel lined surface to absorb oil. Push tofu pieces together and sprinkle with salt.

How to Bake tofu cubes

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF/218ºC. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. 
  • Slice the tofu into 4 vertical slabs, and gently press down on them with a towel several times to remove excess water. Press for 10 minutes, changing the towels in between. Chop the tofu ~ ¾ inch (2 cm) cubes.
  • In a large bowl, add the tofu, 1.5 TBSP neutral-flavored oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, and pepper to taste, tossing to coat. Add 2 TBSP arrowroot powder (or potato starch), and as gently as possible, toss with your hands. 
  • Arrange tofu on the pan in a single layer, spreading out the pieces so they don’t touch.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden on the bottom. Flip with a spatula or carefully turn the tofu with your hands. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes until golden and crispy. 
vegan thai green curry with vegetables and crispy tofu in a green saucepan on a green table.

Tips for making this recipe

Quality ingredients are essential.

To ensure you’re getting the best, take a trip to your local Southeast or pan-Asian grocery store. Gathering fresh lime leaves, lemongrass, and other aromatics is the best way to make this curry taste like the real deal.

Use homemade Thai curry paste when you have the time.

When you have more time, make this with my from-scratch Thai Green Curry Paste. It takes the flavors over the top and is guaranteed to wow your taste buds. It lends a freshness and depth of flavor that even the best store-bought curry paste can’t replicate. 

Or choose the best store-bought green curry paste you can find.

The best vegan-friendly store-bought curry paste I’ve tried is from Maesri, which is much more flavorful (and spicier) than grocery store brands (e.g., Thai Kitchen). Aroy-D also makes a good vegan one, but they sell versions with shrimp paste as well so read labels.

It’s well worth seeking out since it’s the primary flavor base in the curry. Find it online or at Asian grocery stores.

Let it rest a bit.

If you taste this curry as soon as it’s done, it may feel too spicy. Don’t worry, some spiciness mellows after the first 10 to 30 minutes and you start to taste the other flavors more.

Add lemongrass to take it over the top.

If you love lemongrass flavor, take the unused, tough stalks of lemongrass and add them to the curry when you add the coconut milk and soy sauce to infuse. Discard before serving. 

Adjust the spice level.

If making homemade green curry paste, read the tips in that post.

If using canned or jarred curry paste, and you want heat, add in a a Thai chile pepper or three (or a serrano pepper) when sautéing the curry paste and aromatics. You can also add 5 tablespoons curry paste.

Pick your preferred tofu method.

To keep things quick, opt for the boiled tofu method. If you love a crispy tofu option, pan-fry the tofu using the instructions in the recipe card.

backlit shot of Thai vegan green curry with crispy tofu and vegetables in a green saucepan with beer in background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thai green curry spicier than red curry?

Typically, yes! Green curry has a reputation for being the spiciest type of Thai curry. The heat comes from the spicy green chiles (like Thai green chiles, or serrano peppers / jalapeños) in the green curry paste. 

Don’t stress if you aren’t a fan of spicy foods. The heat is toned down once the paste is mixed with the creamy coconut milk And if you make the homemade paste, you can tailor the spiciness more granularly.

Is Thai green curry normally vegan?

The two non-vegan ingredients used in many traditional Thai green curry recipes are shrimp paste (used in the curry paste) and fish sauce (used to flavor the curry).

You can make my homemade curry paste (which subs shrimp paste with miso paste and dried shiitake) or buy a vegan-friendly store-bought paste. As for the fish soy sauce, this recipe uses soy sauce with great results (if you have vegan fish sauce, you can try using that).

Where can I buy Thai ingredients like lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, and Thai basil?

I recommend taking a trip to your local Southeast Asian or large pan-Asian grocery store to find all these ingredients.

Lemongrass can also be found at well-stocked grocery stores like Whole Foods and Albertsons. 

Lime leaves may be sold as just lime leaves, Makrut lime leaves, or kaffir lime leaves. Dried makrut leaves are a great option that can be purchased online (they’ll stay good for months). Fresh leaves are more potent than dried. 

How do I peel and cut lemongrass?

Use a large, sharp knife to slice off the bottom tough nub from the lemongrass stalk, as well as the top tough green stalks.

Remove the papery outer layers from the remaining stalk until you reach the tender, flexible inner white core.

Using a rolling pin, mallet, or the back of a heavy knife, smash down on the lemongrass to bruise it and open it up a bit, then mince, finely chop, or thinly slice with a knife (dependent on recipe instructions). If you have a mortar & pestle, you can pound it finely.

Should I use 1 1/2 or 2 cans of coconut milk?

If using homemade green curry paste, you’ll want the full 2 cans, as there’s a lot of pungent spicy heat to balance. If using store-bought curry paste, 1 1/2 cans of coconut milk works great.

Can I make this curry without tofu?

Absolutely. Use the vegan protein of your choice, like tempeh or soy curls, or add more vegetables to bulk it up.

How should I serve green curry?

Ladle it over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or brown rice! Simple but perfect.

How long does this curry last? Can you freeze it?

Store the leftover curry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days, though it’s best on day 1 and 2.

It thickens a lot after resting. However, once you reheat it on the stove, it will start to thin out. If needed, add a splash of broth or water to loosen (but not too much).

It’s also freezer-friendly, but I recommend freezing it after simmering the coconut milk mixture for 3 to 4 minutes. Freezing the curry with the tofu and veggies will detract from the final texture.

thai vegan green curry with crispy tofu and vegetables in a green saucepan on a green table with beer and limes for serving.

Video: How to make this recipe

I tried making a Thai curry for my Indian parents
I tried making a Thai curry for my Indian parents

If you love this Vegan Thai Green Curry as much as we do, please rate and review the recipe with your feedback below :) It’s always very much appreciated :)

Incredible Vegan Thai Green Curry

5 from 60 votes
This restaurant-quality Vegan Thai Green Curry will blow your mind, especially because you can make it in 45 minutes! Use store-bought curry paste to keep it weeknight friendly. Or, take it over the top by making with my homemade Green Curry Paste!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Thai
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Serving size: 5 with rice

Ingredients

Green Curry Paste (Pick ONE)

Extras if using jarred/canned curry paste

  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1- inch piece ginger or galangal, grated or minced
  • 2 fresh lemongrass stalks, minced or grated (Note 2)

Tofu (see Note 3)

  • 1 (14-ounce/400g) block of firm or extra firm tofu
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (or ½ tablespoon sea salt)

Other Ingredients

  • 1.5 OR 2 (13.5-oz/400 mL) cans of full-fat coconut milk (Note 4)
  • 1 cup (240 mL) vegetable broth, vegan “chicken broth,” or water
  • 8 fresh makrut (kaffir) lime leaves, bruised or crushed with your hands (Note 5)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar, more to taste
  • 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce (tamari for GF)

Vegetables of choice (more options in Note 6)

  • 1 Chinese or Japanese eggplant, sliced into thin half moons (¼ to ⅛” thick / .5 cm), then sprinkled with salt for 15 minutes to soften (2 to 2 ½ cups total / ~170g)
  • 1 medium or large red bell pepper, sliced

Finishing Ingredients

  • 1 cup (18g) Thai basil leaves, kept whole (large leaves torn), plus more for garnish
  • Freshly squeezed lime juice (if not using lime leaves)
  • 1 to 2 mild red chile peppers sliced thinly for garnish (optional, for color)
  • Cooked jasmine white rice or brown rice to serve 5

Instructions

  • Make the homemade Green Curry Paste in advance, if using.
  • Boil the tofu (Note 2). Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Slice the tofu into 4 vertical slabs, and gently press down with a towel several times to remove excess water. Chop into ½ to ¾-inch (~1.5 cm) cubes.
    Add 1 TBSP kosher salt to boiling water (or 1 ½ to 2 tsp sea salt), followed by tofu. When water returns to a boil, set a timer for 2 minutes. Gently drain.
  • Heat a deep 12-inch sauté pan or medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add about 4 tablespoons of the coconut milk. Let it bubble and sizzle, and cook until the oil starts to separate from the milk, 1 ½ to 2 minutes. If it doesn’t really separate, don't worry (depends on the brand).
  • Add curry paste, plus extras if using store-bought curry paste. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes, until it starts to dry out a bit. The curry paste might sputter so stand back. If the paste sticks, deglaze with a splash of water.
  • Pour in rest of the coconut milk (1.5 cans for jarred curry paste, 2 full cans for homemade curry paste). Add lime leaves, sugar, and soy sauce, and stir. Bring to a rapid simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until it just starts to thicken.
  • Add the boiled tofu (if using) and gently toss. Add vegetables of choice and broth. Stir to submerge the veg (it's okay if not totally submerged). Partially cover the pan and bring to a rapid simmer, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the veg is tender but still crisp.
  • If using baked or fried tofu, add it in. Taste, adding more soy sauce or sugar as needed. If you used lime leaves, remove them; if not, add a squeeze of lime juice. Stir in Thai basil. Flavors will meld and mellow a bit after 15-20 min. Serve over rice and garnish with extra basil and mild red chiles, if using.

Notes

General Note: the prep time is if you’re using store-bought curry paste. If using homemade curry paste, it will take longer. 
1. Make sure store-bought curry paste is vegan. The best one I’ve tried is from Maesri (also available at Asian grocery stores). If you love spicy food, use 5 tablespoons of it. I don’t recommend using less than 4 TBSP because that’s where all the flavor comes from. 
2. To prep lemongrass, see the FAQ. If you only have 1 stalk, that’s fine too. 
3. The instructions here are for the boiled tofu method. If you want to pan-fry or bake the tofu for a crispy option, check out the blog post section “Can I fry or bake the tofu instead?” 
4. If using store-bought curry paste, 1.5 cans coconut milk is fine. For the homemade curry paste, 2 cans is best in my opinion. 
5. Makrut lime leaves are sold at Southeast Asian grocers and large pan-Asian markets (AKA kaffir lime leaves). If yours are very large, use fewer leaves. Can’t find them? Sub with double the dried lime leaves and tear them a bit. 
6. These are just the 2 veggies I used in photos. Some other suggestions: 
  • 1 1/2 cups (140g) snow peas (or snap peas), trimmed
  • 1 cup (125g) bamboo shoots, thinly sliced 
  • 1 1/2 cups (120g) green beans, trimmed and cut into small pieces 
In general, you want to use 3 cups (300g) total of vegetables. For eggplant, use Chinese/Japanese/Thai eggplant; globe eggplants won’t soften. 

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1817mg | Potassium: 541mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2899IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 3mg

Recipe: Nisha Vora / Rainbow Plant Life | Photography: Megan Morello

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74 comments on Incredible Vegan Thai Green Curry

  1. ANISHKA

    So excited to make this!! Just a quick question – if I’m making 3 servings of this curry, how many cans of coconut milk should I use? Would one be enough?

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Anishka, yes 1 can would be fine! To check this in the future, click “print recipe” on the recipe card and adjust to the number of servings you’ll be making. You can also print this adjusted recipe card out before making your recipe so you won’t have to remember to do the math for all of the ingredient measurements. Enjoy!

  2. Emily Dyer-Wolfe

    5 stars
    This is my new favorite of your recipes. The homemade curry paste was so good. I also had a lot of fun making it!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Woohoo, so lovely to hear it, Emily! Thanks for trying the recipe :)

  3. Jess

    5 stars
    The first thai curry I’ve made at home that was actually better than what I’ve had at a restaurant. Using Maesri curry paste is a gamechange, I can’t believe I’ve been using Thai Kitchen this whole time!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Woohoo, Jess! We’re thrilled to hear the curry was a hit, thanks for sharing!

  4. Sunny

    5 stars
    Nice

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re happy you think so, Sunny!

  5. Wren

    4 stars
    This was good. It is really difficult as I have made loads of your recipes which are beyond amazing! So if I had this without trying any of your other recipes, it would probably be amazing but compared to your other recipes notably the red lentil curry (that was the best curry ever and prior to that, I hated lentils), it was okay. I hope that makes sense. I was really impressed how the boiled tofu came out (previously not a fan of Tofu apart from you scrambled Tofu) so I am trying loads of your tofu recipes now :)

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thank you for the feedback, Wren. Sorry to hear this wasn’t your favorite recipe! Did you get a chance to make the homemade curry paste by any chance? In our opinion that’s what makes this dish really shine.

  6. Colleen Kennealy

    5 stars
    Thanks for such a nice recipe! I found an oriental market in suburban Minneapolis that had ALL the ingredients you suggested–as well as some cute little Thai eggplants. I baked the tofu cubes and chose to include some baby bok choy, pea pods, and the Maesri Green Curry paste with your recommended extra items.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re so happy you were able to find all the ingredients, Colleen! And that the curry turned out wonderfully :)

  7. Ilani

    5 stars
    I made this dish with the with your homemade curry paste recipe and absolutely loved it!! It’s an involved dish to make and I’ve never cooked with some of these ingredients before but tasted AMAZING!! Thank you!!!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Ilani, Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed the curry. :)

  8. Raquel Doss

    5 stars
    Wow! I cannot say enough good things about this dish. I followed the recipe exactly only I used store bought curry paste and I used eggplant, mushrooms, and tofu and let me tell you it is unbelievable delicious. I can’t get enough of it and this will be my 3rd week in a row making it. I can’t thank you enough for sharing this recipe!!!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thank you for your lovely comment, Raquel! It makes us happy to know that you enjoyed the recipe.

  9. Camilla

    5 stars
    Made this for dinner tonight and the whole family just loved it. Put in carrots, broccoli and red bell pepper. Will definitely make it again.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re so happy to hear the recipe was a success, Camilla :) Loving those veggies you chose, cheers!

  10. Jon M

    5 stars
    Really impressive home made green curry receipt. I used the store bought curry paste, added baby corn, beans and bamboo shoot and it was a hit with the family.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re so happy that the curry turned out well for you, Jon. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and for trying out the recipe!

  11. Amy Kuznicki

    5 stars
    Aaamazzzing!! First off, for me it is so fun to have a list of ingredients to hunt for at the Asian grocer. Adds a scavenger-hunt feel to the process. Hardest item here , for me, was the Kaffir Lime Leaves. I ended up having to buy dried. Curious Nisha, it tasted fine, but was it a waste of money and better to go fresh or leave out? I spent a couple hours making this but enjoyed the learning (I now know how to prep lemongrass!) and the end product was so delicious. I’ll be making it again!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Amy, I agree it’s so fun shopping for new ingredients at the Asian grocery store- I actually just bought these ingredients the other week myself! I, too, had a hard time finding lime leaves there unfortunately.

      Lime leaves are an essential part of Thai green curry, so even though the dried leaves aren’t as potent as fresh, we definitely recommend using the dried leaves over omitting completely.

  12. Kay

    I tried it, but will be sticking to your Indian curries from now.
    No fault of yours, it worked out ok, but in New Zealand are limited to options of ingredients and my only option was to purchase a green curry paste…. It’s not the best, your lovely dad wouldn’t have picked mine 😊😜💙

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Sorry the green curry didn’t turn out as expected, Kay. We’re glad to hear you enjoy the other curries and we appreciate your feedback!

  13. Brooke in Oregon

    OMG, I’m so embarrassed that I typed the wrong name in my review! FORGIVE ME VEGAN GODDESS NISHA!

  14. Brooke in Oregon

    5 stars
    Once again, Vani, your recipe and flavor balancing is ON POINT!
    Thank you for the suggested brand of green curry paste. I also added galangal in addition to the garlic/lemongrass/ginger. Seriously delicious, and better than the tiny portion I would typically receive when ordering this dish from my fave Thai restaurant. Enough to enjoy over rice the first night, and then having with rice noodles the second night. Will be adding carrots, green beans, bamboo shoots and/or snow peas as I experiment with additional versions in the future. *Chef’s Kiss*

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Your review made our day, Brooke! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and for trying out the recipe.

  15. Lyz

    5 stars
    Yummy, next time I will use 20 bird’s eye chillis instead of 15.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re so happy you loved the homemade curry paste recipe, Lyz! You have quite a high tolerance for spice, we love it!

  16. Christine

    I would like to see alternatives in your recipes for coconut milk. Your recipes are awesome, but coconut milk is not in my diet. Thanks!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Christine, sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you can’t make thai curry without coconut milk. We hope you get to try some of the other recipes, though!

    2. Rachel

      5 stars
      Christine, coconut milk has too much saturated fat for my diet, too. We used lite coconut milk and it’s still amazing. If that’s still too much fat, try another plant Milk & a drop or two of coconut extract.

  17. Katy

    5 stars
    Thai green curry with tofu is my husband’s favorite takeout to get and I was so excited to see you posted this! I bought the Maesri curry paste and dried lime leaves and they definitely took the curry from basic to restaurant quality. Thank you so much for all your hard work curating delicious and achievable recipes!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Lovely to hear you enjoy the recipes, Katy! You’re very welcome :)

  18. Dani

    5 stars
    Made this tonight and I’m just here to say that your recipes never miss!!! Sometimes I switch some ingredients or use store-bought products (fe now with the curry paste) but it’s ALWAYS soooo yummy. Thank you for sharing your passion with us :)

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Dani, So glad to hear you loved this recipe! You’re very welcome :)

  19. Ralph

    Hi Nisha

    Is it correct to put 2 cans of 400ml coconut milk? It came out overpowering the recipe. I used store bought green curry paste though

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Ralph, yes that is correct. Green curry is a heavily coconut milk based dish, so if you’re not a fan of coconut milk this may not be the recipe for you.

  20. Lauren

    5 stars
    65 minutes total between the curry paste and the curry is very misleading. To be fair, we find this to be the case for most of Nisha’s recipes, and our cook time goes down a little bit once we’ve made a recipe a few times (which is always the case), but this was extreme. This is especially going to be the case if you’re somewhat of a beginner at making curry paste.

    I did the curry paste in a blender (with the dry spices in a mortar and pestle) and it still took an hour (part of the time spending Googling how to cut lemongrass). In total, it took almost 3 hours. At least it’s the weekend, and Rainbow Plant Life recipes are always worth the wait, but I would recommend making the curry paste ahead of time if you can.

    Medium-high heat to separate the coconut milk was WAAAY too high. Immediately scalded and evaporated what I put in and I had to turn down the heat.

    I didn’t have jalapenos, so I upped the birds eye chilis to 15 – we like it pretty spicy. Used fish sauce instead of soy sauce and green beans instead of bell pepper (plus Chinese eggplant). Hands down one of the best things we’ve ever made. Will definitely join Nisha’s red lentil curry and dal tadka in our regular rotation.

    PS Beware: If your lime leaves come attached to the stem – they may have thorns…

    1. Jen

      Ugh I feel this is true of most recipes anywhere! It’s one thing to know a recipe and make it vs making something while having to refer back to the recipe all the time etc. anyway, trying this tonight, wish me luck :)

    2. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Lauren, sorry if there was any confusion! 65 minutes is how long the recipe takes to make with a store-bought curry paste or with it already made. The recipe card for homemade thai green curry paste states it takes 25 minutes to make on its own.

      We’re glad you enjoyed the recipe though! :)

      1. Lauren

        Hm, perhaps there is a typo in your comment or the recipe needs clarification. The curry recipe states 45 minutes and the homemade curry paste 25 minutes. I did my math slightly wrong in any case. Per both recipes, the total time should be 70 minutes, not 65, with homemade curry paste (not for store bought, as you say). It took me more than double this time.

        1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

          Oops, yes 70 minutes total. But sorry to hear it took double, we’ll definitely pass the message along!

    3. Lauren Cosenza

      5 stars
      As an update, I just made this for the second time (with some help from my partner this time) and our time was cut down to 2 hours. Not too bad!

      1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

        Thanks for sharing, Lauren! We’re happy you love the curry.

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