Looking for a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal? Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry recipe is a fantastic go-to for busy weeknights, combining tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and bold flavors.
Using Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce makes this recipe incredibly easy, delivering all the complex flavors of a traditional Thai curry in a fraction of the time. Let’s dive into the recipe details!
Why You’ll Love This Thai Red Curry
Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry is the perfect blend of convenience and flavor. This dish not only tastes like it took hours to prepare, but it’s also healthy, customizable, and vibrant—ideal for anyone looking to bring a taste of Thailand into their kitchen with minimal effort like the Trader Joe’s Thai Green Curry Recipe.
Ingredients for Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Recipe
- 1 lb. chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups mixed vegetables of your choice (such as bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, or zucchini)
- 1 small handful of fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 1 bottle of Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce
- Neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil) for sautéing
Tools Required
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Large skillet or wok
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Grater (for ginger)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
How to Make Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Chicken
In a large skillet or wok, heat a tablespoon of neutral oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breast pieces, and cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. This browning step adds extra flavor to the curry.
Step 2: Add Ginger and Garlic
Once the chicken is cooked, add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let them burn. This step enhances the curry’s aromatic base.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Add your choice of mixed vegetables to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the veggies are tender yet still crisp. This gives the curry a nice variety of textures and colors.
Step 4: Add Thai Red Curry Sauce
Pour in Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce, stirring to coat all the ingredients. Lower the heat to medium-low, and let the curry simmer for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 5: Finish with Fresh Basil
Stir in a small handful of fresh basil leaves just before serving, giving the curry a pop of herbal freshness that balances the spices.
Serve this vibrant Thai red curry over a bowl of steamed rice, and enjoy your flavorful, homemade Thai-inspired meal!
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry
1. Swap in Coconut Milk for a Creamier Texture
Add a half-cup of coconut milk to the curry sauce for a richer, creamier base. This not only thickens the sauce but also gives it a subtle sweetness that balances the spices.
2. Load Up on Leafy Greens
For extra nutrition, toss in a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach or kale just before serving. The greens will wilt into the hot curry, adding color, texture, and nutrients without overpowering the dish.
3. Add Fresh Lime and Cilantro for Brightness
Garnish your curry with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro right before serving. This combo adds a zesty freshness that lightens up the richness of the curry sauce.
4. Top with Crushed Peanuts or Cashews for Crunch
For a nutty crunch and extra depth of flavor, sprinkle a handful of crushed peanuts or cashews over the curry. The nuts complement the Thai flavors beautifully and add satisfying texture.
5. Make it Vegetarian or Vegan
Swap the chicken for tofu or chickpeas to create a protein-rich vegetarian or vegan version. Simply brown the tofu or add canned, drained chickpeas after sautéing the ginger and garlic for a plant-based twist.
6. Serve with Noodles Instead of Rice
For a fun change, serve the curry over noodles like rice noodles, soba, or even spaghetti instead of traditional rice. The noodles soak up the curry sauce and create a hearty, slurp-worthy meal.
7. Incorporate Sweetness with Pineapple or Mango
Add diced pineapple or mango for a sweet, tropical twist that complements the spicy curry sauce. Stir in the fruit towards the end of cooking, allowing it to warm through without becoming mushy.
8. Add Bamboo Shoots or Water Chestnuts for Extra Texture
For more texture, toss in canned bamboo shoots or water chestnuts. These additions provide a satisfying crunch and make the curry feel more like a restaurant-quality dish.
9. Boost the Heat with Thai Bird’s Eye Chilies
If you’re a fan of heat, add sliced Thai bird’s eye chilies (or any hot chili) along with the ginger and garlic. Just a few slices will intensify the spiciness, making it closer to an authentic Thai level of heat.
10. Top with a Fried Egg for Extra Richness
For an indulgent twist, top each serving with a fried egg. The runny yolk adds a luscious, creamy texture that melds with the curry sauce, taking the dish to a whole new level of richness.
Some tips on This Delicious Thai Red Curry Recipe
1. Cut Ingredients Uniformly for Even Cooking
Chop your chicken and veggies into similarly sized pieces. This ensures everything cooks at the same rate, so you won’t end up with undercooked veggies or overcooked chicken.
2. Brown the Chicken for Extra Flavor
Before adding the ginger and garlic, take time to get a nice sear on the chicken. This browning step adds extra depth and brings out the natural flavors of the chicken.
3. Use Fresh Basil for a Burst of Flavor
Fresh basil adds an authentic, aromatic finish to the curry. Don’t skip it! Tear the leaves by hand and stir them in at the end to preserve their fragrance.
4. Grate Ginger for an Evenly Distributed Flavor
Grating ginger rather than chopping it releases its juices and ensures a smoother consistency. This way, its flavor infuses throughout the dish without any large chunks.
5. Add Veggies in Stages Based on Cooking Time
If you’re using a mix of vegetables with different cook times, add sturdier ones like carrots or bell peppers first and more delicate ones like snap peas later to avoid overcooking.
6. Simmer for Perfect Sauce Thickness
Once you’ve added the Thai red curry sauce, simmer on medium-low heat. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly, resulting in a perfect consistency that coats each ingredient.
7. Boost Flavor with Fish Sauce or Soy Sauce
To add an extra layer of umami, try adding a splash of fish sauce or soy sauce. This enhances the savory depth of the curry without overpowering it.
8. Prepare Rice or Noodles Ahead of Time
To save time, cook your rice or noodles before starting the curry. This way, you can serve the curry immediately once it’s ready, keeping everything hot and fresh.
9. Garnish with Lime for a Zesty Finish
A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving brightens up the curry, balancing the richness and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
10. Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet
If you’re doubling the recipe or adding extra veggies, avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to keep it from steaming, which helps maintain the dish’s full flavor and texture.
Store and Reheat Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Recipe
To store Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry, let it cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
For freezing, place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until hot. If the sauce thickens, add a splash of water or coconut milk to restore its consistency.
Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups mixed vegetables of your choice such as bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, or zucchini
- 1 small handful of fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1- inch piece of ginger grated
- 1 bottle of Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce
- Neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil for sautéing
Instructions
- In a large skillet or wok, heat a tablespoon of neutral oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breast pieces, and cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. This browning step adds extra flavor to the curry.
- Once the chicken is cooked, add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let them burn. This step enhances the curry’s aromatic base.
- Add your choice of mixed vegetables to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the veggies are tender yet still crisp. This gives the curry a nice variety of textures and colors.
- Pour in Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce, stirring to coat all the ingredients. Lower the heat to medium-low, and let the curry simmer for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Stir in a small handful of fresh basil leaves just before serving, giving the curry a pop of herbal freshness that balances the spices.
- Serve this vibrant Thai red curry over a bowl of steamed rice, and enjoy your flavorful, homemade Thai-inspired meal!
Video
Notes
FAQs on This Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Recipe
Here are some commonly asked questions and their short answers on this Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Recipe
1. What is the secret to Thai curry?
The secret to authentic Thai curry lies in balancing flavors: sweet, salty, spicy, and sour. Fresh ingredients like garlic, ginger, basil, and lime add depth, while coconut milk or cream smooths out the heat and acidity. Simmering the sauce with aromatics also enhances the complexity of flavors.
2. Is red curry the same as Thai curry?
Thai curry is a broad term that includes different types, such as red, green, and yellow curries. Thai red curry specifically uses red chili peppers, giving it a distinct color and heat. It’s usually spicier than yellow curry but milder than green curry, with a rich, balanced flavor.
3. How do you thicken Thai red curry?
To thicken Thai red curry, simmer the sauce uncovered until it reduces to the desired consistency. Adding coconut milk or cream also creates a thicker, creamier texture. For a thicker sauce, you can also use a cornstarch slurry (mix 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch with water and stir into the curry).
4. What is the base of Thai red curry?
The base of Thai red curry is usually a red curry paste, made from ingredients like red chili peppers, garlic, lemongrass, and shallots. Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce has a similar base, blending these flavors for an easy, pre-made solution that’s full of traditional Thai spices.
5. Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, simply replace the chicken with tofu or chickpeas. Double-check the ingredients on Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce to ensure it meets your dietary needs, as some curry sauces contain fish sauce.
6. What can I serve with Thai red curry?
Thai red curry pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which absorbs the sauce and balances the flavors. You can also serve it with rice noodles, cauliflower rice, or quinoa for a twist. Garnishing with fresh herbs and lime wedges also adds a fresh touch.
7. How spicy is Thai red curry?
Thai red curry typically has a moderate spice level, though it depends on the amount of chili used in the curry paste. Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry Sauce is usually on the milder side, making it accessible to most spice preferences. If you prefer it spicier, add fresh chili or red pepper flakes.
8. Can I add other vegetables or proteins?
Absolutely! This curry is highly customizable. Besides chicken, you can add shrimp, beef, or even pork. Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, snap peas, carrots, or bamboo shoots work well and add different textures to the dish.
9. How long does Thai red curry last in the fridge?
Thai red curry can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop or microwave. You may need to add a splash of water or coconut milk to adjust the consistency.
10. Can I freeze Thai red curry?
Yes, Thai red curry freezes well! Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 2-3 months. When reheating, thaw it overnight in the fridge and warm it slowly on the stovetop to prevent separating.
Enjoy making this easy Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry recipe! It’s bound to become a family favorite, bringing warm, comforting flavors to your dinner table any night of the week.
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