This 1-pot curry is made in 30 minutes with ingredients you likely have on hand right now. Plus, the vegetable and protein options are customizable. Let us show you how it’s done!
About Green Curry
Green curry is a popular Thai dish believed to have originated in the early 20th century (source). It’s made with green curry paste, coconut milk, veggies, and meat and/or seafood.
The flavor base (Thai green curry paste) is traditionally made from a combination of green chilies, shrimp paste, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, peppercorns, makrut limes, and cumin seeds (source). It’s spicy and flavorful and pairs perfectly with the sweetness of coconut milk.
The following is our inspired (but not traditional) plant-based take on this flavorful Thai dish. For a more authentic version of green curry (with chicken), check out this beautiful recipe from Hot Thai Kitchen.
How to Make Green Curry
To begin, add a small amount of coconut milk to a large pot (we like using a Dutch oven) and allow it to bubble and condense into a cream. The natural oil/cream released from the coconut makes it so that there’s no need for additional oil.
To the reduced coconut cream, we added green curry paste as the flavor base.
Next come mushrooms for a hearty texture and umami flavor. We like using shiitake, cremini, or button mushrooms, but other varieties will also work.
Optionally (we left it off for a lighter meal), add your favorite protein at this time (such as tempeh, shrimp, or chicken). If using tofu, we recommend using this recipe, cooking it separately, and serving on the side for best texture.
Next, we added bell peppers for natural sweetness.
More coconut milk and vegetable broth are added next, providing a rich and brothy mixture for infusing the curry flavors. We used makrut lime leaves and lemongrass, but they are optional (in case you can’t access them).
Next, we added bamboo shoots for a quick and easy pantry-friendly vegetable. Broccoli, cabbage, or another sturdy vegetable would also work well here.
To round out the flavors, coconut aminos are added for umami flavor and coconut sugar for sweetness and to balance the subtle heat.
The mixture then simmers for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen and the vegetables to soften.
For those wanting a more vibrant green color, a cup of the broth can be blended with either fresh herbs (such as basil and mint) and/or a teaspoon or two of barley grass powder. Then simply add it back to the rest of the curry.
Finally, in the last few minutes of cooking, stir in snap peas, snow peas, or green peas. They only take a couple minutes to cook and will turn a vibrant green color when ready.
We hope you LOVE this green curry! It’s:
Subtly spicy
Salty
Sweet
Tangy
Rich
& Versatile!
It’s perfect on its own or over rice or quinoa as a light comfort meal. We also enjoy adding a handful of greens and garnishing with cashews for additional texture and protein.
More Thai-Inspired Curries
- Easy 1-Pot Massaman Curry
- 1-Pot Cauliflower Dal Green Curry
- Coconut Red Curry with Chickpeas
- Thai Yellow Coconut Curry with Mango
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
1-Pot Vegetable Green Curry
Ingredients
GREEN CURRY
- 1/2 cup canned light coconut milk (reserve the rest of the can for adding to the curry later)
- 5-6 Tbsp green curry paste (add more for spicier, more intense curry, less for milder curry // or sub store-bought; we like Thai Kitchen brand or Aroy-D)
- 2 cups chopped shiitake, cremini, or button mushrooms
- 1 large red or yellow bell pepper, sliced and halved (bite-size slices)
- 2 14-oz cans light coconut milk (this includes the amount you used in step 1 — you need 2 14-oz cans coconut milk total as the original recipe is written)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 4-5 makrut lime leaves (optional)
- 1 stalk lemongrass, halved (optional)
- 1 cup bamboo shoots, rinsed and drained (or other sturdy vegetable of choice such as broccoli or cabbage)
- 1-2 Tbsp coconut aminos (or sub salt or tamari to taste)
- 1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar, palm sugar, or maple syrup
- 1 handful fresh basil or mint (or 1-2 tsp barley grass juice powder as original recipe is written // optional for richer color)
- 1 cup snap peas, snow peas, or green peas
FOR SERVING optional
- White rice , Brown rice, Quinoa, or Cauliflower rice
- Protein of choice (such as tofu, tempeh, chicken, or shrimp)
- Fresh basil or mint
- Lime wedges
- Chili garlic sauce or sriracha
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut milk (as original recipe is written) and reserve the rest of the can for later.
- Cook until the coconut milk is bubbling and some of the liquid has evaporated and left more of the dense cream behind. This is a technique I learned from Hot Thai Kitchen to avoid using oil since the coconut milk releases its natural oil/cream content once cooked for a few minutes. Stir occasionally and turn down heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Next, add green curry paste and stir to combine with the coconut milk. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Then add your mushrooms (if adding any animal protein or tempeh, do so now // if using tofu, I’d recommend cooking using this method and serving on the side of your curry for best texture). Adding your protein or mushrooms at this time allows them to infuse with the curry paste for richer flavor. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Next, add your bell pepper and stir to coat. I like adding bell pepper at this time to soak up some of the curry paste flavor. Then add your remaining coconut milk (total cans used should be 2 as original recipe is written) and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
- Next, add makrut lime leaves and lemongrass (optional to infuse more flavor), as well as your bamboo shoots and stir. Then add coconut aminos and coconut sugar or palm sugar (starting with the lesser amounts and working your way up as needed) and stir to combine. Let the broth come to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the flavor of the broth has become more rich and your vegetables are fork tender.
- OPTIONAL: For a deeper green hue, scoop out ~1 cup (240 ml) of your broth and blend in a small blender (that’s safe for blending hot liquids) with a handful of fresh basil or mint and/or 1-2 tsp of barley grass juice powder. This creates a deeper green color curry and infuses a bit of earthy, floral flavor. Stir this mixture into the pot at this time (see photo).
- Taste and adjust your broth as needed at this time, adding more salt to taste, coconut aminos for depth of flavor, or coconut sugar for sweetness. You’re looking for a rich broth with a balance of sweet, spicy, and salty. Don’t be shy with seasonings as the potency of the broth will be diluted when served with grains.
- In the final few minutes of cooking, add your peas and stir to combine. They only need a few minutes to cook. Then turn off heat.
- Serve as is or over grain of choice or cauliflower rice. Add tofu if serving at this time. You could also top with fresh herbs, chili peppers, lime juice, or some roasted cashews at this time (something I enjoy for more protein and texture).
- Store cooled leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until hot.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with Thai Kitchen green curry paste, homemade vegetable broth, the lesser amounts of coconut aminos and sweetener, and without optional ingredients.
*For additional protein, we like to serve this curry with greens, peas, and quinoa and garnish with cashews.
*Methods adapted from the talented Hot Thai Kitchen.
Aura says
This was a really great and easy recipe to follow. We cooked for 2 people and used normal full fat coconut milk (for us the low fat one just ruins any recipe!). This worked great, it was thick and luscious, it stayed quite green, all the vegetables cooked exactly as planned. The shiitake mushrooms were the perfect amount of chewy to feel like a protein and we cut up broccoli stalks in place of bamboo shoots and that was nice. Snap peas going in at the end made for a perfect crunch. For 2 people using 3 tbsp of green curry was perfect and just 0.5 maple syrup and 0.5 coconut aminos. We used the smallest amount of added veg stock and did not take away from it at all (just with water i assume would have been ok too). Added fresh Thai basil and fresh mint at the end and each serving needed / benefitted from 1/2 a lime. Thanks for the recipe we’ll be using weekly with any leftover veg!
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Jane says
Great recipe, I’d use less curry paste next time and definitely make at least a day ahead of time. I think the number of adds on this page is obnoxious and incredibly annoying. Makes me want to go back to an actual cook book.
We’re glad you enjoyed the recipe overall, Jane! Thank you for your honest feedback and sorry for any inconvenience. We always try to optimize for user experience, while also having ads to keep the content free.
Jacqueline says
So delicious, QUICK and filling! I can definitely see myself making this weekly or biweekly because I can just add a ton of leftover veggies by the end of the week 👌🏽
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Jacqueline! Love that idea =) Thank you for sharing! xo
Gaia says
Next time I won’t add the vegetable broth because it made it taste like soup but hopefully next time it will taste better!
Sorry to hear this! We so appreciate you sharing your experience. The flavor of vegetable broth can vary a lot brand to brand, so water might be a good option, perhaps with a little extra curry paste? Let us know what you think if you give it another try!
Michelle says
Just made this for dinner and will not follow the instructions next time. :(. I had the most gorgeous local sweet yellow peppers, fresh local cremini mushrooms, bamboo shoots and snow peas.
My used local fresh tofu that I fried to a crisp in Garden of Life coconut oil and set aside wrapped in paper towel to absorb the oil.
I used Thai Kitchen green curry paste, 1 T low sodium tamari, 2 T coconut sugar, a pinch of lemongrass powder instead of fresh.
This curry absolutely NEEDS lime juice! Once I added a little lime juice at the end of the cook – it brightened it right up! Otherwise too rich. DO NOT SKIP LIME!
My mushrooms were huge, super fresh, and firm to start… I did not chop – I quartered them. At the end of the cook they were soft and slimy and turned the curry to almost brown. I questioned adding them so early and wish I went with my gut. I get trying to infuse the flavor but next time I will sauté separately and add at the end.
I try to like coconut milk but found my gorgeous vegetables muddled here. I like my veggies al dente and the cooking time recommended, while perfect for the curry sauce, is too long for the veggies (IMO). Next time I will make 1/2 a recipe of just the curry sauce and place in a gravy boat to drizzle lightly over the rice, tofu and lightly sautéed veggies.
Thank you for a great sauce recipe, though. My rating is for the complete meal.
Oh no! We’re so sorry to hear that was your experience, Michelle. Did you sauté the mushrooms until browned and releasing moisture? That should help prevent them from getting slimy. Let us know how it goes next time!
Caroline says
I made this, and the flavour is DELICIOUS but mine turned out rather watery. I’m wondering if it’s meant to be more of a soupy consistency or if I messed up? Mine is more like a delicious green curry soup… I ended up over cooking my veggies trying to reduce it down. I will try this again though as the flavours are bang on.
Hi Caroline! Because this green curry is Thai-inspired, it is intended to be a bit more loose in texture. Thanks for your review and for sharing your experience! xo
Samantha says
It was a pleasure making this green curry! I would describe the experience as meditative actually. Just allowing the flavors to meld together, slowly simmer into a comforting dish. We used a bell pepper, bamboo shoots, baby cobs of corn (from a can) and frozen green peas for our veggies. Served alongside a bagged protein rich mix of lentils, rice and quinoa. Spicy and flavorsome! The perfect easy weeknight curry!
We’re so glad you enjoyed both the process and final dish, Samantha! Thank you for sharing! xo
Clairw says
Best curry I’ve made to date! Loved it!!
Woohoo! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing! xo
Nannel says
This recipe is amazing. I’m always a bit intimidated trying asian recipes and it took me a while trying this BUT OMG! It’s easy and also super adaptable. I love the different suggestions of what you can use instead of ingredients you may not have. And most importantly it tastes amazing
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Nannel! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Baiba says
Dear Dana,
Every time I make this dish it feels like a special occasion for some reason. It’s so tasty with the tofu prepared separately.
Thanks so much!
All the best to you! :)
Aw, love that! Thanks so much for your kind words and lovely review, Baiba! xo
Sarah says
I have made countless curries at home looking for that rich take out Thai taste…. ladies and gentlemen this is it. SOOOOOOO good. I used one can of full fat coconut milk and one light for a richer taste. Lemongrass is the key I believe. It was phenomenal!!
I also added sliced zucchini :)
Yay! Thanks so much for the lovely review, Sarah! xo
Ces says
Made this today. So flavorful and comforting. Love it. My blender can’t take the heat so i blended coconut milk with spinach, basil and cilantro instead then added in. Also used vegan fish sauce in place of aminos. Thanks for the recipe!
Amazing! Thanks for sharing, Ces! xo
KB says
Looking forward to trying this. Any suggestions for reducing the amount of coconut milk used in this recipe. So tasty but I prefer to minimize saturated fat content. Thank you!
Yes, you can use light coconut milk and sub up to half with vegetable broth.
Jess says
When planning meals for the following week, your site is one of the first I visit! Everything has been flavorful and easy – appreciate you all! AND thank you for adding a feature to reduce recipes down to 2 servings – great feature for those of us that are cooking for ourselves and don’t need lots of leftovers.
Now to my question – I don’t enjoy mushrooms, is there a substitute you’d recommend? I really want to try this recipe! Thanks!
We’re so glad you enjoy our recipes, Jess. Thanks for your kind words! We’d suggest onion instead. Let us know how it goes!
Stephanie St.Pierre says
With the addition of a good splash of fish sauce, this green curry replicates the one we often get from our Thai takeout place. Soooo good!
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Stephanie! xo
Val says
The whole family loved this! Used half (~3T) the green curry paste for kids, and it was perfect for us. So flavorful and even more so the next day! I do appreciate that this makes a hearty meal on its own, and I am not making additional sides–this had it all when I made rice and tofu to go with the curry. Also appreciate the suggestions for alternatives; I used a few, like broccoli for bamboo (I love bamboo shoots– but, alas, I am the lone family member who does!). I will definitely be making this again SOON and OFTEN!
We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed it, Val! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Danielle says
This was so good! My husband and I loved it!
Thanks for sharing, Danielle!
Anne says
Love this! Made it without the extra steps to make it bright green so mine was more yellow and didn’t put all the broth in so was a little thicker. It was so delicious! Super quick and easy and unbelievably tasty.
Thanks for sharing, Anne!
Emma duncan says
Omg amazing…. blended mint and coriander is a must!
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Emma. We are so glad you enjoyed it! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! Xo
Mary says
Whoa! Another delicious recipe and cooking success!
I happen to have a little makrut lime tree that a friend gave me, and this is the first time I used the leaves. They really contribute to the wonderful flavor of this curry. I didn’t have green curry paste on hand, so I used red, and I blended basil with the liquid to add back to the pot. The color was good!
My first time commenting (sorry), and about the fiftieth time I’ve used one of your recipes. I LOVE your site. Thank you for all your hard work and all the amazing recipes and inspiration. ❤️
Aw, thanks so much for your kind words and lovely review, Mary! xo
Gaby says
Delicious curry. Will make again and again.
I used the Thai Kitchen green curry you recommended, I think the two time I’ll probably use the entire little jar for a more strong flavor. Could I do anything to increase the spicy ness? Added some tofu at the end and served over rice. The recipe was easy to follow and the end result reminded me of my favorite curry at a local Thai restaurant I love. It gave me an opportunity to use lemongrass and a kind of mushroom I don’t usually buy. O
Thanks for sharing, Gaby! You could add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne, or finely chopped serrano for heat. Let us know if you try it!
Sophie says
Tasty, easy, and fast! Perfect week night meal. We used tempeh and cabbage in place of the bamboo. The squeeze of lime juice before serving really brightens it up nicely. I will try to get my hands on some lemongrass next time! Thank you!
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Sophie!
Simona says
hello,
The recipe really contains 2.4l coconut milk? It seems a lot of quantity and I am not sure if I understood correctly.
Thank you!
Hi Simona, sorry for the confusion! It calls for two 400 ml cans which equals 800 ml or 0.8 liters. Hope that’s more clear!
Nicole says
Easy & tasty. I served the sauce over quinoa but preferred it on it’s own. I added cubed tofu at the end of the cooking process for some extra protein.
Thanks for sharing, Nicole!
Caitlin Culbertson says
Hi, Dana! I’ve been following your blog for a while now, and have made so many amazing dishes thanks to you. I just wanted to share how impressed I am by your dedication to include sources and links to traditional recipes, and by your thoughtful replies to readers’ helpful comments on terminology. I know this is something that many food creators are struggling with, and I think you’re doing an amazing job and I applaud you! I can’t wait to try this recipe and learn more about green curry from the links you’ve provided. Thank you for doing this research and for helping me learn more about one of my favorite cuisines.
That’s so kind! It’s definitely required a new level of awareness, but in a good way. We always aim to be learning and growing as a brand, so we embrace the changes. Thanks for the support!
Stacey says
Officially in love with green curry. I couldn’t stop sipping it while it was cooling! I’ll be serving with cauli rice & broiled crispy broccoli on the side & some tofu bites. My 1st time using lemongrass in a recipe. It’s really delicious, thank you!
SO lovely! Thanks, Stacey!
Avinash Kachhy says
Seems like a good recipe but why name “1-pot”! Aren’t most if not all curries 1-pot?
Yes! We just make sure to highlight the simplicity of each dish in the title and/or the description. It signals clearly to people why it’s simple.
Amanda says
Do you mean snow peas instead of/in addition to snap peas in the ingredient list?
Snow peas, snap peas, or green peas will all work! Take your pick =)
Emily says
I’m not an expert in this, but I believe it’s recommended to use the term makrut limes instead of kaffir limes.
Looks like a yummy recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Emily, thanks so much for bringing this to our attention. We’re changing it right away!
Elizabeth says
Great recipe, very easy to follow. I used less green chili paste because I can’t do spicy. I blended basil and spinach leaves for green color. I also added 2TBS cashew butter for a thicker, creamier sauce. Delicious! I love your recipes, this is another keeper.
Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!
Melinda says
What a great sounding recipe! I appreciate having a vegan green curry option for when I’m cooking plant only. Thank-you!
Just want to let you know that there’s a movement to call k-limes by their actual name, makrut limes. The k-word is used as a slur in some cultures.
Hi Melinda, thanks so much for bringing this to our attention. We’re changing it right away!
Jenny says
This is a good basic recipe but it needs to add ginger and red pepper flakes to be good.
Feel free to add them!
Amy says
Made it tonight with leftover rice 😁. Sprigs of mint. Romano beans, yellow pepper, chard greens and a large portabello cap. Delicious! Restaurant level good!
Love the modifications, Amy! Thanks so much for sharing!
Claire says
Hi, I am a long time fan of your page, blog and recipes! I recently learned that the word “k*ffir” used to describe the lime leaves is offensive to many in Africa, especially in South Africa (that I have found). Other words to use could be “murkat” which I think is an Thai word for the same ingredient!
Thanks for all the work you do!
Hi Claire, thanks so much for your support and for bringing this to our attention. We’re changing it right away!
AJ says
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
It was a hit with my parents! Full disclosure, I used Blue Dragon – Thai Green Curry Paste. Using the coconut milk at the beginning is absolutely genius. More flavourful than simply substituting water for oil. Also, I modified the veggies as I had carrots and cauliflower I wanted to use up.
Keep it up!
We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Jillian says
Hey Dana! Just wanted to say I notice and appreciate the changes you’ve made to describe a brief history of the dishes and ingredients from other cultures, with links to authentic recipes. It sets an example for other bloggers. Much love xoxo
Thanks, Jillian! It’s been fun to learn more about other cuisines and also explore other expert cooks!