This Vegan Thai-Inspired Kabocha Squash Curry is the perfect fall recipe. It’s easy to make, jam-packed with flavor, and so comforting on cold fall days.
And since my Thai Butternut Squash Chickpea Curry from earlier this year has been so popular, I was inspired to make a similar curry but using kabocha squash.
This post covers everything you need to know – how to cut kabocha squash (it’s easy), how to cook it, and how to make this delicious curry. Buckle up!
What is Kabocha Squash?
If you’re not familiar with kabocha squash, it’s a variety of winter squash also known as a Japanese pumpkin and commonly used in Japanese cooking. It’s one of the more unique-tasting winter squash varieties. IMO, it’s like the more refined cousin of butternut squash (you know, the one who studied abroad in Vienna during college).
Kabocha squash usually comes with a dark green skin, but you might also find the red-orange varieties as well. In either case, the flesh is a vibrant orange color.
When you bake kabocha squash, the texture becomes almost velvety, which I absolutely love. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can end up with dry, mealy squash.
Regarding the taste, it’s a bit sweeter than pumpkin and butternut squash, so it adds a subtle natural sweetness to recipes. It has a characteristic nutty taste with undertones of chestnut.
Kabocha squash peak season is late summer through the fall, but you can sometimes find it year round. You can find kabocha squash at farmers markets as well as many grocery stores these days (I’ve purchased it at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts).
Looking for more kabocha squash recipes? This Thai Pumpkin Soup is FANTASTIC with kabocha squash!
Like many a winter squash, cutting kabocha squash can be difficult. But it needn’t be!
First, you’ll need a long, sharp, and sturdy knife. A really good chef’s knife or a serrated knife works great. As when you’re cutting a pumpkin or butternut squash, you want to use a slow, steady rocking motion. Don’t try to slice the squash in one fell swoop (you will be disappointed and may cut yourself).
Before you slice into it, though, there are two tricks to cutting kabocha squash. First, try slicing a thin layer off the top and bottom of the squash so you expose the flesh of the squash. It can be a bit difficult to slice off a clean layer on the top of the squash if the stem is attached, but even getting some flesh exposed is helpful. That’s because your knife will have a much easier time slicing through the squash if the knife hits the flesh first, rather than the much thicker skin.
And second, if you’re still having trouble cutting the squash (for instance, if your knife hasn’t been sharpened in awhile), just microwave the whole squash for 1-2 minutes. This will lightly soften the squash (but not cook it) and make it easier to slice.
Why you’ll love this Vegan Thai Kabocha Squash Curry
Super creamy. This curry is incredibly creamy despite not using full-fat coconut milk. The secret? Kabocha squash puree! When you roast winter squash and then puree it, it becomes so silky smooth and luxurious (have you seen my pumpkin mac and cheese??). Adding the squash puree directly to the curry makes it really thick, and means you can save some calories by using reduced-fat coconut milk instead of full-fat.
Maximal flavor. Packed with the flavors of ginger, garlic, and chili peppers, this dish reminds me of the incredibly fragrant, aromatic curries I happily devoured in Thailand.
Well-balanced. What I learned from Thai cooking is that every dish should be well-balanced in flavors: a little spicy, a little sweet, a little sour, and plenty of umami. A good-quality curry paste and Thai chili peppers, coconut sugar, lime juice, miso paste, and tamari take on those roles in this recipe.
Decadent yet healthy. Just as is the case with my vegan curry with tofu, This curry is oh-so-creamy and tastes indulgent. But it’s also really nourishing and packed with antioxidants, protein, and fiber, thanks to a garlic-ginger duo and plentiful amount of chickpeas and kabocha squash.
Meal prep-friendly. This dish makes excellent leftovers and will stay good in your fridge for 4-5 days.
PS: If you’re looking for a more traditional Thai Curry, make my Homemade Thai Green Curry Paste to enjoy a world class Vegan Thai Green Curry!
Watch! How to make Thai Kabocha Squash Curry
KABOCHA SQUASH | how to cut it, cook it, and make it taste delicious
Tips for making this Vegan Thai Kabocha Squash Curry
If spicy food ain’t your thing, you may want to use a bit less curry paste than the recipe calls for. On the other hand, if you love spicy food, I recommend adding those Thai chili peppers. The spiciness balances out the sweetness of the curry.
For curry paste, my favorite brand is Maesri. More commonly available is the Thai Kitchen brand. You can also try the Mekhala organic curry paste. If you can’t find any of these brands, just be sure to read the ingredients to ensure it’s vegan (many curry pastes contain shrimp paste).
If you are allergic to coconut milk or don’t want to use it, you can use oat milk or cashew milk. Be sure to use an unsweetened variety. I don’t recommend using almond milk, as it is quite thin and not good for curries.
I know this is a kabocha squash curry, but if you can’t find kabocha squash (it’s not always available outside of its peak season), feel free to substitute with butternut squash, pumpkin, or red kuri squash. As I mentioned, these varieties are a bit less sweet than kabocha, so taste the curry before finishing and add a tiny bit more sugar or maple syrup as needed.
Don’t skip the final step, which is to add a bit of lime juice. Finishing a rich dish like this curry with a splash of acid at the end helps balance the spicy flavors, enhances the salty and umami flavors, and brings some freshness to this creamy dish.
That’s all you need to know to make this Vegan Thai Kabocha Squash Curry! If you make the recipe, drop a comment below or over on Youtube!
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
Vegan Thai Kabocha Squash Curry
Ingredients
- 1 medium kabocha squash
- 1/2 cup water (or vegetable broth)
- 1 - 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil* (or oil of choice)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- Kosher salt or sea salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2- inch piece ginger, grated or finely minced
- 1-2 Thai bird’s eye chili peppers, thinly sliced*
- ¼ cup cup red curry paste (use less to make it less spicy)
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can “lite” or reduced-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium tamari** (gluten-free soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon miso paste*** (optional but recommended)
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, or about 3 cups cooked chickpeas
- 1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- For serving: white rice or grains of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Use a large, sharp knife to slice the kabocha squash in half. For tips on how to slice the kabocha squash, see the blog post section on “how to cut kabocha squash.” Once sliced in half, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Lightly brush each squash half with a bit of oil (coconut oil or avocado oil) and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the squash halves, flesh side down, on the sheet pan. Roast for 40-45 minutes until the flesh is very tender. If your squash is large, bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Once it’s cool enough to handle, use a spoon to scoop the flesh out of the skin, and discard the skin. Place the kabocha squash flesh in a blender and add ½ cup water (or vegetable broth) and puree until very smooth. You should end up with approximately 3 cups of liquid.
- While the kabocha squash is roasting, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Chop the onions, carrots, garlic, ginger, and chile peppers, and measure out the spices and other ingredients.
- Heat a Dutch oven or a large nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the coconut oil, and once it’s shimmering, add the onions and carrots along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables for 7-8 min, or until they are very tender and lightly browned.
- Add the garlic, ginger, chile peppers (if using) and the red curry paste. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring to coat the vegetables in the aromatics. If you aren’t using a nonstick skillet, you may need to add a tablespoon of water to prevent the mixture from drying out and burning.
- Pour the pureed kabocha squash sauce into the pan, then add the lite coconut milk, tamari, miso paste (if using), maple syrup, and turmeric, and black pepper to taste. Stir or whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the canned chickpeas and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the curry has become thick and creamy, and the veggies are fully softened.
- When ready to serve, stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Serve with white rice or grains of choice.
Notes
Such a great recipe! I ended up taking the skin off my kabocha squash and roasting it with a sweet potato and adding it when I added the chickpeas. Also added chopped cashews on top with the cilantro and lime! So good!
Hi Madeline, it’s great to hear you had success with the recipe. Thanks for the review!
To make this faster I boiled the squash in vegetable broth and used an immersion blender. Made prep much quicker and less messy. I used butternut squash just fine. Yummy!
Thanks for sharing, Rob!
Really wonderful recipe. I’ve made a lot of Nisha’s recipes over the years, this blog is a favorite of mine, and a staple in my kitchen. This curry was one of the best recipes I’ve made. I used a Red Kuri squash, and I used a jalapeño and a poblano pepper instead of the bird’s eye pepper. It’s so creamy and hearty and warm. Perfect for winter!
Hi Xandra, it’s great to hear you had success with the recipe. Thanks for the review!
Fantastic. Used two chilis and all the chili paste – wasn’t too spicy at all. Everyone in my family loved it!
Hi Natasha, thank you so much for your kind review! It’s lovely to hear the curry was enjoyed by the whole family.
Made this for a late lunch/early dinner today. This dish was amazing! I’ve never had such a smooth a flavorful curry. Very satisfying. Added tofu and sweet potato chunks for extra umpf
Thanks for sharing, Laura!
Aloha Nisha,
I finally made up your Thai kombucha squash curry after gathering what I needed. An amazing creamy, rich and flavorful curry. I had to be careful to not over indulge. So yummy! I used full fat coconut milk because I can use the extra calories. The chickpeas taste like potatoes.
Mahalo and keep on creating your very entertaining and funny videos.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Robin! It makes us happy to know that you enjoyed the recipe.
This was great! I didn’t have Thai chili paste but did have go chu ghan paste so will have to try again and compare. Also had a little left over orzo so that mixed in nice as well.
Awesome, Lisa. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
I love this curry. I made it with green curry paste (as I didn’t have red) and used butter beans. It was delicious!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Judy! It makes us happy to know that you enjoyed the recipe.
Hi! Very interested in making this but don’t know if I’ll be able to find a kabocha squash — if I were to sub butternut can I still purée it? Thanks!
Hi Amy, yes most definitely! Kabocha squash is a bit sweeter than butternut, so you may want to add in a touch of maple syrup depending on your preferences. Enjoy the recipe :)
Love your recipes but so many ad pop ups it’s frustrating to try to copy.
Hi there, you can click “jump to recipe” then hit “print” which will take you to an ad-free page you can save or print for use when making a recipe!
I don’t have a printer. I’m writing them out on recipe cards.
Btw I shared this to my CSA FB group and the response was overwhelmingly! Everyone is raving about it. It’s so good they said they are eating it straight from the pot!
Hi Mairead, you can hit the “print” button on the recipe card which takes you to an ad free page, and from there you can also save as a pdf! That page just has no ads so it’s easier to digest the information if you feel the ads are getting in your way.
But it’s awesome to hear the fb group raved about it! :) AmazingQ
This was a delicious recipe! I used soy sauce instead of tamari, and added chicken. Forgot the lime juice but still came out excellent with complimentary complex flavors. Thanks for the recipe – definitely a keeper!
We’re glad you enjoyed the recipe, Hilda!
This was delicious. Didn’t add the sweetener and didn’t have miso on hand. Also didn’t include the Thai pepper, and it was perfect for my taste. I added red and green bell peppers a couple of minutes before adding the garlic. The cilantro and lime was a great finishing touch. So creamy and good. Thank you for the recipe.
We appreciate your feedback and support. Thank you for leaving a review!
Exquisite mix of flavors! I used butternut squash bc I had a beautiful one, and cannelini beans bc I prefer them to chickpeas (though white beans are certainly not traditional for curries). And it was just wonderful!! The lime juice really brings it together.
Hi Sabrina, thank you so much for your kind review!
Hi,
I bought a kabocha squash for the first time and needed a recipe. I found yours, and, I’m glad I did! It’s absolutely delicious. I will definitely get several meals out of this. I used jalapeño, since that’s what I had on hand, full fat coconut milk, and, Mekhala brand curry paste. Since I know that brand of paste has a good “kick” to it, I only used 1 tablespoon. I switched out the tamari with coconut aminos. My curry was a little too thick for my liking, so, I thinned it just a bit with veggie broth. I must repeat how delicious this curry is, and, need to add that I made rice to go with it.
Thanks,
Sandy
Thanks for sharing, Sandy! We’re so happy you enjoyed the curry :)
Two questions—how long before eating should I make this for best depth of flavor? And, can I sub tofu for chickpeas and at what point should I add the tofu cubes?
You might want to take a look at one of NIsha’s somewhat
similar recipes for ideas on how to sub tofu in the Kabocha squash curry recipe: https://rainbowplantlife.com/vegan-pumpkin-curry-with-tofu/
Hi there, it tastes pretty great on day 1! As with any curry-style recipe, we like to let it rest for 10-15 minutes to cool down and for the flavors to meld together. And of course, leftovers will taste amazing too. The curry will thicken a bit in the fridge but should loosen back when heated on the stove; if not, add a splash of water or broth.
Yes, you can definitely sub tofu. We’d recommend cooking it separately. You can try either our baked tofu or pan-fried tofu.
Hope that helps!
Wow wow wow, this was SO delicious! This recipe was everything and more I was hoping for, and also so easy to make (with a newborn baby, I’m all about easy and delicious meals)! I left out the hot peppers and added diced red bell pepper instead. Thank you Nisha for another fantastic recipe!
Hi Kyla, Thank you so much for such a fantastic review! We’re happy the recipe is coming in handy during this time :)
Absolutely delicious! Nisha is the best internet chef I have found. I can’t wait to eat the leftovers!
We’re thrilled you enjoyed the curry, Annabeth!
SPICY AND SWEET!!! I added extra lime juice to mine and a tad more tamari. So good and so filling. The sauce would be amazing to make enchiladas with!!
Thanks for sharing, Suzi! So glad you enjoyed the curry.
This recipe is delicious. I love the creaminess of the sauce. I bought a Kabocha squash to try for the first time. I was going to make a soup with it but then found your recipe and decided to try it. The squash by itself roasted is so good. I added some cauliflower to the veggie mix and also found the Thai coconut milk with curry spices. Just perfect comfort food for a cloudy, cold day.
Thanks so much, this one’s a keeper.
Thanks for sharing, Debra! :)
This recipe was so flavorful and came out exactly how I wanted it. I skipped the chilis for the kids, but it wasn’t necessary. Try the miso and lots of cilantro. I also really appreciate how clear and well written your recipes are.
Thanks for the lovely review, Rebecca! We appreciate you trying the recipes!