If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce, this homemade version is sure to become your go-to! Packed with fresh ingredients like lemongrass, red chilies, and turmeric, this recipe delivers the same bold flavors with an extra layer of richness and depth.
Perfect for curries, soups, dressings, and more, this versatile curry paste is easy to make and store. Skip the store-bought jar and bring authentic Thai-inspired flavors to your kitchen with this simple, flavorful, and customizable red curry paste recipe!
Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce: A Flavorful Homemade Alternative
Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce is beloved for its rich, aromatic flavors, but making it from scratch can elevate your dishes even further. This homemade version combines fragrant spices like coriander, cumin, and fresh turmeric with vibrant ingredients like red bell pepper, lemongrass, and ginger for a bold, spicy base.
It’s versatile enough to add to curries, soups, or salad dressings and can be easily customized by adjusting the heat or sweetness. With just 20 minutes, you’ll have a fresh, flavorful sauce that brings authentic Thai-inspired depth to your Trader Joe’s Thai Green Curry Recipe.
Ingredients for Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce Recipe
- ½ tsp coriander seed (or ground coriander)
- 1 tsp cumin seed (or ground cumin)
- ½ tsp black peppercorns (or ½ tsp ground black pepper)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped
- 2-4 medium red chilies, stems removed (adjust to taste; Thai red chilies preferred)
- 1 stalk lemongrass, root and tip trimmed, chopped
- 1 heaping Tbsp. fresh ginger or galangal (or 1-2 tsp ground ginger)
- 3 cloves garlic, skins removed
- 1 Tbsp. fresh turmeric (or 1 tsp ground turmeric)
- ½ tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
- 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 medium lime, zested and juiced (~3 Tbsp. or 45 ml juice)
- 6 stalks green onions, sliced (or substitute 1/2 cup diced shallot)
- 2-3 Tbsp. avocado or grape seed oil (or water if avoiding oil)
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup or coconut sugar (to balance heat)
Tools Required
- Small skillet
- Mortar and pestle
- Food processor or blender
- Spatula and Glass jar
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: ~1 cup curry paste
Let’s Try this Trader Joe’s Red Thai Curry Sauce Recipe
Step-01: Toast the Spices (If Using Whole)
In a small skillet over medium-low heat, add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns. Toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and slightly darker in color. Be careful not to burn the spices. Skip this step if you’re using ground spices.
Step-02: Crush the Toasted Spices
Once toasted, transfer the seeds to a mortar and pestle and crush them until roughly ground. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, cool the seeds slightly, place them in a sandwich bag, and crush them with a rolling pin or a heavy pan. Set aside.
Step-03: Blend Ingredients
To a food processor or blender, add the crushed spices, chopped red bell pepper, red chilies, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, turmeric, sea salt, lemon juice, lime zest and juice, green onions (or shallot), oil (or water), and maple syrup (or coconut sugar).
Step-04: Process to a Paste
Blend the mixture until a smooth paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed. The lemongrass may take some time to blend, but be patient!
Step-05: Adjust the Flavor
Taste the curry paste and adjust as desired:
- For more acidity, add lime zest or juice.
- For more heat, add additional chilies.
- For sweetness, add a touch more maple syrup.
- For more creaminess or to thin the paste, add a bit more oil or water.
Here you go, now try this sauce with Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry and enjoy your favorite meal.
Some Tasty Ways To Pair and Cook This Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce
1. Coconut Curry Soup
Combine a spoonful of this red curry paste with coconut milk, vegetable broth, and your favorite veggies (like mushrooms, spinach, and carrots) for a rich and creamy soup. Add tofu or chicken for extra protein.
2. Red Curry Shrimp Stir-Fry
Toss shrimp with a few tablespoons of red curry sauce and quickly stir-fry with bell peppers, snow peas, and onions. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice and serve over jasmine rice.
3. Spicy Curry Fried Rice
Add a spoonful of red curry paste to your favorite fried rice recipe. It works beautifully with leftover rice, mixed vegetables, and scrambled eggs, adding a warm, spicy twist to this classic.
4. Grilled Red Curry Chicken Skewers
Use the paste as a marinade for chicken skewers. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes, then grill until cooked through. Serve with a cucumber salad and sprinkle with fresh cilantro for an authentic touch.
5. Red Curry Veggie Noodles
Stir the curry paste into coconut milk, then toss with rice noodles and stir-fried veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli. Top with fresh basil or mint and crushed peanuts for a satisfying meal.
6. Curry-Infused Scrambled Eggs
Add a small amount of red curry paste to scrambled eggs or an omelet for a unique and flavorful breakfast. Pair with avocado toast or a side of greens for a balanced meal.
7. Curry-Glazed Salmon
Spread a thin layer of the red curry paste on salmon fillets and bake or pan-sear until the fish is cooked through. Serve over a bed of steamed bok choy or baby spinach for a light, flavorful dinner.
8. Spicy Red Curry Wings
Toss chicken wings in red curry paste mixed with a bit of honey or maple syrup, then bake until crispy. These wings are a unique, flavorful twist on the traditional Buffalo-style wing.
9. Vegetable Red Curry Stir-Fry
Sauté your favorite vegetables—like bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, and green beans—with a spoonful of curry paste. Add coconut milk for a creamier sauce, and serve over rice for a quick, nutritious meal.
10. Curry Dipping Sauce
Mix the paste with a bit of Greek yogurt or coconut cream to make a creamy, spicy dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or grilled veggies. This also makes a great spread for sandwiches or wraps.
Some tips on This Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce Recipe
1. Adjust Spice Level
Customize the heat by choosing your chilies carefully. Thai red chilies give authentic heat, while cherry bomb chilies offer a milder flavor. You can always start with fewer chilies and add more after tasting.
2. Toast Whole Spices for Extra Flavor
If you’re using whole coriander, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns, take the time to toast them until fragrant. This small step brings out deeper flavors and aromas.
3. Use Fresh Ingredients When Possible
Fresh ginger, turmeric, and lemongrass provide a brighter, more aromatic flavor than their powdered versions. However, if you only have ground versions, the recipe will still work well!
4. Blend Well for a Smooth Paste
To achieve a smooth paste, let the blender or food processor run for a bit longer. The lemongrass might take extra time to break down, but the texture will be much better if you let it blend thoroughly.
5. Balance the Flavors
Adjust the salt, lime juice, and maple syrup to taste after blending. Each ingredient balances the flavors: salt enhances taste, lime juice adds acidity, and maple syrup or coconut sugar balances the heat.
6. Consider Substituting Oils
Avocado and grapeseed oils are great because they have neutral flavors and high smoke points. If you’re avoiding oils, substitute with water for a thinner consistency without losing too much flavor.
7. Store in Ice Cube Trays for Convenience
For easy future use, freeze the paste in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and store them in a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can grab exactly what you need for each dish.
8. Experiment with Other Dishes
This paste isn’t just for curry! Try using it as a marinade for tofu, fish, or chicken, or mix it into salad dressings, stir-fries, or even scrambled eggs for an extra punch of flavor.
9. Scrape Down the Blender
Make sure to scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor frequently. Ingredients like lemongrass can stick to the sides, so you’ll want to incorporate everything for an even flavor.
10. Shelf Life and Storage
Store your curry paste in a glass jar with a tight seal in the fridge, where it will keep for up to 10 days. For longer storage, freezing is ideal, allowing you to enjoy the flavors for up to a month without losing potency.
How to Store Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce Properly
Transfer the paste to a glass jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. For longer storage, spoon the paste into an ice cube tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month.
Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ tsp coriander seed or ground coriander
- 1 tsp cumin seed or ground cumin
- ½ tsp black peppercorns or ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 medium red bell pepper seeds removed and chopped
- 2-4 medium red chilies stems removed (adjust to taste; Thai red chilies preferred)
- 1 stalk lemongrass root and tip trimmed, chopped
- 1 heaping Tbsp. fresh ginger or galangal or 1-2 tsp ground ginger
- 3 cloves garlic skins removed
- 1 Tbsp. fresh turmeric or 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp sea salt plus more to taste
- 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 medium lime zested and juiced (~3 Tbsp. or 45 ml juice)
- 6 stalks green onions sliced (or substitute 1/2 cup diced shallot)
- 2-3 Tbsp. avocado or grape seed oil or water if avoiding oil
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup or coconut sugar to balance heat
Instructions
- In a small skillet over medium-low heat, add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns. Toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and slightly darker in color. Be careful not to burn the spices. Skip this step if you’re using ground spices.
- Once toasted, transfer the seeds to a mortar and pestle and crush them until roughly ground. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, cool the seeds slightly, place them in a sandwich bag, and crush them with a rolling pin or a heavy pan. Set aside.
- To a food processor or blender, add the crushed spices, chopped red bell pepper, red chilies, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, turmeric, sea salt, lemon juice, lime zest and juice, green onions (or shallot), oil (or water), and maple syrup (or coconut sugar).
- Blend the mixture until a smooth paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed. The lemongrass may take some time to blend, but be patient!
- For more acidity, add lime zest or juice. For more heat, add additional chilies. For sweetness, add a touch more maple syrup. For more creaminess or to thin the paste, add a bit more oil or water.
Video
Notes
FAQs on This Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce Recipe
Here are some commonly asked questions and their short answers on this Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce Recipe
1. Does Trader Joe’s have Thai curry?
Yes, Trader Joe’s offers Thai-style curry sauces, including a popular Thai Red Curry Sauce. It’s pre-made, so it’s convenient for quickly adding flavor to stir-fries, soups, and marinades.
2. What is Thai red curry sauce made of?
Thai red curry sauce is typically made with red chilies, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, galangal, and spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Coconut milk is often added for creaminess, and lime juice or zest gives it a fresh, tangy finish.
3. Is Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce hot?
Thai red curry sauce can be quite spicy, depending on the amount and type of chilies used. However, the coconut milk often balances the heat, making it milder than green curry for many people. You can adjust the heat level to suit your preference.
4. What is Thai red curry?
Thai red curry is a popular Thai dish and sauce made from red chilies, herbs, and spices blended into a paste. It’s used as a base for various dishes, including curries with vegetables, meat, or seafood. When combined with coconut milk, it creates a creamy, flavorful curry with mild to moderate spiciness.
5. Can I freeze this homemade red curry sauce?
Yes, you can freeze homemade red curry sauce. Pour it into an ice cube tray, freeze, then transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. It will keep for up to a month, making it easy to add to recipes as needed.
6. How long does this red curry sauce last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, homemade red curry sauce can last in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Be sure to stir before each use, as ingredients may settle.
7. Can I make this curry sauce without oil?
Yes, you can omit the oil and use water instead for a lower-fat version. However, oil helps blend the flavors and makes the sauce richer, so try adding just a small amount for taste.
8. What dishes can I make with Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce?
Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce is versatile! Use it in coconut curries, as a marinade for grilled meats, mixed into fried rice, or even as a stir-fry sauce. You can also mix it with yogurt for a dipping sauce or drizzle it over roasted vegetables.
9. Can I adjust the spiciness of the Thai Red Curry Sauce?
Absolutely! For a milder sauce, reduce the number of chilies or use a milder chili variety like cherry bomb. For extra heat, add more chilies or use Thai bird’s eye chilies, which are spicier.
10. What’s the difference between Thai red curry and green curry?
The main difference is in the ingredients and spiciness. Thai red curry uses red chilies, making it moderately spicy with a warm, rich flavor. Green curry is often hotter and uses green chilies, giving it a fresh, herbal flavor due to the inclusion of basil and kaffir lime leaves.
This homemade version of Trader Joe’s Red Curry Sauce is a must-try for anyone who loves bold, aromatic flavors. Packed with fresh herbs, spices, and a perfect balance of heat and acidity, this curry paste can elevate any dish.
Whether you’re making curries, soups, or dressings, it’s versatile and easy to store. Whip up a batch and bring a taste of authentic Thai-inspired flavor to your meals anytime!
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