Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (2024)

If you love Thai food and want a quick, healthy dinner, this Sweet Potato Curry recipe is the answer. These delicious sweet potatoes are served in a tangy curry satay sauce made with Thai red curry paste, peanut butter and coconut milk. This curry is vegan, gluten-free and ready in 35 minutes.

Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (1)

That Sweet Potato Curry Recipes

There’s nothing better on a cold winter day than coming home to a cozy curry for dinner that will warm you up from the inside out. Especially when it’s a delicious Sweet Potato Curry that’s ready in about 30 minutes.

This Sweet Potato Curry recipe is a Thai-inspired dish that combined the delicious flavours of Thai curry with sweet potatoes and spinach. Sweet potato isn’t a traditional ingredient used in Thai curries, but it is seriously SO delicious and goes so well with those spicy curry flavours.

If you don’t have any sweet potatoes on hand, you can also make this curry with butternut squash.

Why you’ll love this Curry Sweet Potato recipe

  • Fuss-free dinner. Made in one pot and ready in just over 30 minutes, this Thai Sweet Potato Curry is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
  • Packed with nutrients. Sweet potatoes are packed with tons of amazing nutrients that you’ll get your fix of with this recipe. Plus this curry is also packed with spinach for an extra boost of greens.
  • Meal-prep friendly. Make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer to have on hand when you need dinner on the table fast!

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Red Curry

Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (2)
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Thai curry paste
  • Peanut butter
  • Chili flakes
  • Sweet potato
  • Coconut milk
  • Vegetable broth
  • Soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
  • Coconut sugar
  • Lime juice
  • Spinach

How to make Sweet Potato Curry

Step 1

Sauteé the onions, garlic and ginger together in a pot on medium-high for 1-2 minutes. Then add the red curry paste and peanut butter.

Tip: some brands of curry paste can be spicier than others. If you don’t like too much spice, start with less curry paste and you can always add more later.

  • Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (3)
  • Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (4)

Step 2

Mix in the curry paste and peanut butter, then add in cubed sweet potatoes and mix together again.

  • Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (5)
  • Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (6)

Step 3

Add the coconut milk, vegetable broth, soy sauce, coconut sugar and lime juice and bring to a slight boil. Lower the heat to low, then cover and let simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

  • Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (7)
  • Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (8)

Step 4

Remove the curry from the heat and mix in the spinach leaves. Serve as is or over rice and top with crushed peanuts and cilantro.

  • Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (9)
  • Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (10)

How to serve Thai Potato Curry

There are many different ways you can serve this Sweet Potato Curry. The most traditional way to serve Thai curry is with rice. Here are a few great ways to serve up this curry:

  • Jasmine rice
  • Sticky rice
  • Brown rice
  • Quinoa
  • Cauliflower
  • Rice Noodles
  • Shiritake noodles

Storing and reheating Sweet Potato Red Curry

Store in the fridge: store any leftover Thai Sweet Potato Curry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.

Store in the freezer. Let the curry cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost let the curry thaw on the countertop until defrosted. Reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.

Tips for making Thai Sweet Potato Curry perfectly

  • Cut the sweet potato into small cubes. These bite-sized cubes will not only be easier to eat, but they will cook faster than large cubes of potatoes.
  • When it comes to curry paste, start with less, then add more. Different brands of curry paste can taste very different. Some are spicer, tangier and more flavourful than others. If you’re unfamiliar with the curry paste you’re using, start with one tablespoon of curry paste and then add more as needed. You can always mix in an extra spoon of curry at the end.
  • Use full-fat coconut milk. While you can use light coconut milk if you want a “lighter” (lower fat) curry, full-fat coconut milk is what gives the curry a creamy richness.

FAQ for Coconut Sweet Potato Curry

What does coconut milk do to a curry?

Coconut milk adds a rich creaminess to curry and is a traditional ingredient used in Thai curries. It adds a very slight hint of coconut taste that pairs well with the spices in the curry.

What can I use instead of coconut milk in curry?

If you don’t like coconut milk, you can technically replace it with more vegetable broth in this curry. Just keep in mind that this will give you a curry that isn’t as creamy.

How I can make this sweet potato curry with more protein?

If you want to add more protein to this curry, feel free to add a cup of chickpeas or some cubed tofu to the curry.

How can I add flavor to my red curry?

Curries can vary in flavour depending on the ingredients you use. (i.e. the brand of curry paste, the type of soy sauce, the vegetable broth…etc.) If your Thai Sweet Potato Curry isn’t flavorful, try adding another tablespoon of curry paste and some more soy sauce if it’s lacking salt.

How do you add sweetness to Thai curry?

There are many different sweeteners you can use to add sweetness to a Thai curry. In Thailand, the most commonly used sweetener is palm sugar. You can also use coconut sugar, honey, agave, maple syrup or even just regular table sugar.

How many calories are in sweet potato curry?

Each serving of this sweet potato curry has 250 calories.

How do I thicken my sweet potato curry?

The best to thicken Sweet Potato Curry is to let the curry cook down, uncovered on medium heat. As the curry cooks down it will begin to thicken. The starches in the sweet potato will also help thicken the curry.

Is curry paste vegan?

Some curry pastes are vegan, and some are not. Ther are curry pastes are made with shrimp paste in them, so it’s important to check the label to see if it contains that ingredient. Generally in North America, most curry paste brands you’ll find at your general grocery store will be vegan.

Try these delicious curry recipes next!

  • Thai Green Curry Tofu
  • Roasted Eggplant Curry
  • Red Lentil Curry
  • Thai Chickpea Coconut Curry
Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (11)

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Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (12)

Thai Sweet Potato Curry

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 1 review

  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: Thai
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Sweet Potato Curry is easy to make and packed with Thai curry flavour!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1-inch cube of ginger, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp red Thai curry paste
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes (optional if you like it spicy)
  • 2 large sweet potatoes (approx. 3 cups, cubed)
  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 12 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar (can sub brown sugar)
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 cups spinach
  • crushed peanuts and cilantro to top

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a pot on medium heat, then add the onion, ginger and garlic and sauteé for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the curry paste, peanut butter and chilli flakes and mix together.
  3. Add the sweet potatoes, coconut milk, vegetable broth, soy sauce, coconut sugar and lime juice and bring to a slight boil on medium-high heat, mixing occasionally.
  4. Then lower the heat to low and cover and let simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
  5. Remove from heat and mix in the spinach.
  6. Serve on its own or over rice. Top with crushed peanuts and cilantro.

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge for 7 days or in the freezer for 3 months.

If making this recipe vegan or vegetarian, make sure to use a brand of curry paste that doesn’t contain shrimp paste.

Add more protein to this curry by adding one cup of chickpeas.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Fat: 10.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.6g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 5g

This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. I only recommend products that I know, trust and love!

Thai Coconut Sweet Potato Red Curry Recipe - Choosing Chia (2024)

FAQs

What is a low cholesterol alternative to coconut milk? ›

Almond milk can replace coconut milk in smoothies, cereal, or baked goods. Due to its low fat content, it's not suitable in creamy dishes.

What is a substitute for coconut milk in red curry? ›

Half-and-half or heavy cream

Like evaporated milk, heavy cream and half-and-half are good substitutes for coconut milk, too. Heavy cream contains at least 36% milk fat, so it's very thick and creamy.

What is a common base in Thai curries? ›

The flavor base usually consists of green chilies, shrimp paste, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, peppercorns, makrut limes, and cumin seed.

How to make Thai coconut curry thicker? ›

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

Does coconut raise LDL cholesterol? ›

Consumption of coconut oil, which is high in saturated fat, results in higher LDL-cholesterol levels than consumption of non-tropical vegetable oils. This finding comes from a meta-analysis of 16 studies in which consumption of coconut oil was compared with that of other fats over the course of ≥2 weeks.

Is coconut milk necessary for Thai curry? ›

Most Thai curries, other than Jungle curry, use coconut milk to add the texture and sweetness to the dish, so it is very important to use a good quality "full fat" coconut milk. The low-fat varieties are not worth the compromise.

What can I use instead of coconut in curry? ›

Our answer. If you don't like the taste of coconut milk (or some people also avoid coconut milk as it has a high fat content) then you could use either soy milk or almond milk as alternatives. However make sure that you use an unsweetened, unflavoured version of these milks.

Does Thai curry need coconut milk? ›

Can You Make Thai Curry Without Coconut Milk? If you have a coconut allergy or want to omit the coconut milk for any reason, you could experiment with swapping it for half and half. The taste will be a little different, but the half and half would keep the sauce nice and creamy.

What is the sweetest Thai curry? ›

Massaman curry: Masaman curry is one of the sweetest styles of curry. It's a Thai style, but is also influenced by many varieties of Indian curry. Rather than spices, most of masaman curry's flavor comes from cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, according to Traveling 9 to 5.

What is the most popular Thai curry? ›

Green curry is considered the most popular curry in Thai cuisine. The green color of Thai green curry sauce has become more vibrant over the years with the addition of fresh coriander (cilantro), makrut lime leaf and peel, and basil.

Which Thai curry is healthiest? ›

People love green curry because of the gentle balance of heat, sweet, and acid from the chiles, lime, and fresh herbs. Green curry is great with chicken and shrimp because it offers a punch of seasoning to the protein. The long list of herbs also makes green curry one of the healthiest Thai cuisine dishes.

How do Thai restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

Often, Thai curries are made using coconut milk as the main liquid, which results in a creamy consistency. You can use as much or as little coconut milk as you wish based on your preference for texture, spice, and flavor.

Does Thai curry use coconut milk or coconut cream? ›

The majority of Thai curries are made with coconut milk as the main liquid, which produces creamier curries, but they're not necessarily “rich.” The amount of coconut milk can vary by quite a lot, depending on the texture one is looking for: massaman curry, for example, is quite rich because it uses coconut milk and is ...

Why is my Thai curry so watery? ›

First you can make your curry thick by adding as little liquid as possible. Secondly if you already have a lot of liquid in your curry, you reduce it by simmering. You may have to remove dry ingredients and set them aside to be added back later as some of them can be overcooked if not removed.

Is there a healthier alternative to coconut milk? ›

Fortunately, soy, almond, and oat milk are excellent substitutes since they are naturally dairy-free and have a similar consistency. So, you don't have to worry if your recipe calls for coconut milk. You can easily swap in another non-dairy milk for coconut milk at a one-to-one ratio.

What is a good substitute for coconut milk? ›

In recipes where the fat content doesn't compromise texture, you plant-based beverages, such as coconut milk beverage, almond, cashew, macadamia, oat, soy or hemp, to substitute for traditional coconut milk. These plant-based beverage options would be best for smoothies, coffees and specialty drinks.

Which alternative milk is best for lowering cholesterol? ›

Oat (and rice) milk

Oat milk contains oat beta glucans, which can help maintain normal cholesterol levels when you consume 3g a day as part of a balanced diet. A 250ml glass of oat milk provides 1g of beta glucans (a bowl of porridge made with 40g of oats provides 2g of beta glucans).

Is coconut milk good or bad for cholesterol? ›

Very little research examines coconut milk specifically, but one study suggests that it may benefit people with normal or high cholesterol levels. An eight-week study in 60 men found that coconut milk porridge lowered “bad” LDL cholesterol more than soy milk porridge.

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