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    Home > Vegan Entrees

    Thai Red Curry Tofu

    By Nandor Barta on 09/20/2024 - May contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Pin

    This Thai red curry tofu recipe is a vegan twist on the classic Thai dish. It is made using only 6 ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes but does not compromise on the delicious rich Thai flavors. Coconut milk makes it a creamy red curry dish that is both delicious and satisfying.

    White frying pan with a darkbrown red sauce tofu cubes, sliced bell peppers, sliced green chilies, mint leaves, sliced spring onion, mushrooms slices.

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    One of the best ways to enjoy tofu is by cooking it in a delicious curry. This recipe is a wonderful vegan alternative to traditional meat-based curries. It is also a great way to enjoy a plant-based diet without sacrificing flavor.

    Do you need more flavorful tofu dishes? Then try these grilled buffalo tofu skewers, crispy sticky Teriyaki tofu or this aromatic hoisin tofu.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you’ll love it
    • 🧾 Key ingredients
    • 🥘 Equipment
    • 👩‍🍳 Instructions
    • 💡 Expert tip
    • 🔄 Variations
    • 🥣 Serving ideas
    • More vegan tofu recipes
    • Easy Thai Red Curry with Tofu

    ❤️ Why you’ll love it

    I absolutely love the rich and creamy texture of this Thai red curry tofu. The full-fat coconut cream, combined with the marinated tofu, creates a luxurious, velvety sauce that is simply irresistible.

    Thai red curry spice blend not only gives this dish its vibrant color but also infuses it with that classic, aromatic Thai flavor. It is a simple way to add a lot of complexity to the dish without having to source and measure a long list of individual spices.

    The best part is that this is an authentic recipe I learned during my visit to Bali, Indonesia. It is a quick and easy recipe that delivers a spicy but not too hot curry that is perfect for a cozy night in.

    White frying pan with a darkbrown red sauce tofu cubes, sliced bell peppers, sliced green chilies, mint leaves, sliced spring onion, mushrooms slices.
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    🧾 Key ingredients

    This Thai red curry tofu is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. The best part is that you can easily find the ingredients in your local grocery store. You might even have some of them in your kitchen already.

    Ingredients of red curry with tofu in small glass bowls translucent liquids, red paste and red spice blend. White tofu cubes are displayed on a black plate.

    Firm tofu is the star of this dish, soaking up all the delicious flavors of the curry while providing a satisfying, hearty texture. When marinated and cooked, the tofu becomes a perfect vehicle for the rich, spicy red curry.

    Full-fat coconut cream is another essential ingredient that adds a lusciously creamy texture and a hint of sweetness to the curry. It balances out the spiciness of the red curry paste and other ingredients, making the dish incredibly flavorful.

    Spring onions not only add a pop of color to the dish but also a fresh, mild onion flavor that complements the richness of the curry. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a garnish or cooked into the curry for a milder flavor.

    Red chilies are a must for anyone who loves a bit of heat in their curry. They add a spicy kick that elevates the dish and balances out the sweetness of the coconut cream and the maple syrup. If you prefer a milder curry, you can adjust the amount of chilies to suit your preference.

    🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    🥘 Equipment

    To make this delicious Thai red curry tofu, the most important piece of equipment you will need is a good quality wok. Its wide base and high, sloping sides provide ample space for the tofu and vegetables to cook evenly. The high heat retention of a wok also helps to achieve the perfect char on the tofu while keeping the vegetables crisp and tender.

    👩‍🍳 Instructions

    Preparing the ingredients

    STEP 1
    Start by preparing the ingredients. Press the firm tofu to remove excess water. I use TofuBud. While the tofu is being pressed, slice the red chilies. Then, cut the spring onion in julienne style.

    STEP 2
    If you have small fresh wood ear mushrooms, simply cut them into smaller pieces. If you have dried wood ear mushrooms, pre-cook them according to the package instructions.

    Making the Thai red curry tofu

    STEP 1
    To make the marinade, combine the Thai red curry spice mix, tomato paste, vegetable oil, lime juice, and water in a glass mixing bowl. Mix these ingredients thoroughly.

    STEP 2
    Once the tofu is done being pressed, cut it into cubes. Place these tofu cubes in a shallow glass bowl. Pour the marinade over the tofu cubes and mix them well to ensure that the tofu is thoroughly covered. Let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes.

    STEP 3
    Heat a frying pan or wok over medium heat. Add the marinated tofu to the pan, making sure to scrape the leftover marinade from the bowl into the pan as well. Season with salt and black pepper, and fry for 5-8 minutes.

    White frying pan with tofu cubes and brown sauce.

    STEP 4
    Add the sliced red chilies, bamboo shoots, spring onions, and pre-cooked wood ear mushrooms to the pan. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.

    White frying pan with marinated tofu cubes, wood ear mushroom, sliced bamboo shots.

    STEP 5
    Pour the full-fat coconut milk into the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Add the maple syrup, stir, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Your Thai red curry tofu is ready to serve.

    White frying pan with marinated tofu cubes, wood ear mushroom, sliced bamboo shots in a light brown sauce.

    💡 Expert tip

    The key to this recipe is marinating the tofu. Press the tofu to remove excess water, and marinate it for at least 15 minutes, to allow it to soak up the flavors of the Thai red curry spice blend, tomato paste, and lime juice. This simple step will transform your tofu from bland to delicious, adding a burst of flavor to your Thai red curry.

    🔄 Variations

    Try adding some extra heat with this variation. I sometimes throw in a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne powder. These spices add a fiery kick to the dish, which complements the creaminess of the coconut milk and the rich flavors of the curry spice blend.

    Consider adding different types of mushrooms. I usually use wood ear mushrooms because they are traditional in this dish, but you can also use shiitake or oyster mushrooms. Each type of mushroom will bring a unique texture and flavor to the curry.

    Eggplant is a great addition to this dish. It not only adds a pop of color but also a meaty texture that contrasts nicely with the tofu. Just remember to cook it long enough to soften it.

    A black bowl of rice and brown red sauce with tofu cubes, sliced bell peppers, sliced green chilies, mint leaves, sliced spring onion, mushrooms slices.

    🥣 Serving ideas

    This Thai red curry tofu is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It is a perfect main course for a plant-based dinner.

    I love to serve this curry with a side of jasmine rice. The fragrant rice pairs perfectly with the spicy, creamy curry, and the combination is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

    If you are looking for a low-carbohydrates alternative, consider serving this curry with riced veggies. Cauliflower rice or sweet potato “rice” are excellent options that add a nutritious twist to the meal.

    In addition, this curry can also be enjoyed with noodles. Soba, also known as buckwheat noodles, are a great choice. The nutty flavor of the noodles complements the curry, and the hearty texture adds a satisfying element to the dish.

    For a refreshing touch, consider adding some sliced green onions, sprouts, or fresh cilantro on top. These garnishes not only add a pop of color but also a fresh, herbaceous flavor that balances out the richness of the curry.

    More vegan tofu recipes

    I love sharing tofu recipes. You can find anything from flavorful tofu marinades to frozen tofu used as meat substitute.

    • Light grey round plate with a brown, shiny tofu slice topped with a chopped green herbs served with baked half potatoes and roasted asparagus
      Tofu Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
    • Crispy brown tofu cubes on 4 different plates of white and black.
      Crispy Tofu (4 Ways Tested!)
    • Sticky brown breaded tofu cubes are served on top of rice in a white bowl. It is sprinkled with chopped chives and sesame seeds. A hand is holding chopsticks to take one.
      Orange Tofu
    • A white bowl of tagliatelle pasta topped with tofu mince in bolognese sauce. Leftover bolognese in the cast iron skillet is right next to it.
      Tofu Bolognese

    THANK YOU so much for visiting our website. Please comment below if you have tried this recipe. We LOVE hearing from you! If you loved the recipe, please don’t forget to give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RATING. We appreciate all of our readers.  

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    White frying pan with a darkbrown red sauce tofu cubes, sliced bell peppers, sliced green chilies, mint leaves, sliced spring onion, mushrooms slices.

    Easy Thai Red Curry with Tofu

    Nandor Barta
    This Thai red curry tofu recipe is a vegan twist on the classic Thai dish. It is made using only 6 ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes but does not compromise on the delicious rich Thai flavors. Coconut milk makes it a creamy red curry dish that is both delicious and satisfying.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Marinating time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 276kcal

    Equipment

    • TofuBud (pressing tofu in 15 minutes)
    • Non-stick frying pan (10.5 inch / 26 cm)
    • Wok

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the tofu marinade

    • 1 Tbsp Thai red curry spice blend
    • 1 Tbsp Tomato paste
    • 1 Tbsp Vegetable oil
    • ½ tsp Lime juice
    • 1 Tbsp Water

    For the curry

    • 12 oz Firm tofu
    • ¾ cup Full-fat coconut cream (canned) shaken
    • 1 tsp Maple syrup
    • 3 Spring onion
    • 1.5 oz Bamboo shoots canned
    • 2.5 oz Mushroom we used wood ear mushrooms
    • 1 Red chilies
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    Instructions
     

    Preparing the ingredients

    • Use a firm tofu and press it. 
    • Slice red chillies.
    • Cut spring onion in julienne style, or if you have small fresh ones, just cut off the green leaves and add it like that.
    • Pre-cook wood ear mushrooms according to package instructions.

    Marinating

    • To make the marinade, take a glass mixing bowl and add Thai red curry spice mix, tomato paste, vegetable oil, lime juice, and water. Mix it thoroughly.
    • After you pressed the tofu cut them into cubes.
    • Take a shallow glass bowl and add the tofu cubes.
    • Pour the marinade and mix it with a silicone spatula or spoon to ensure it is thoroughly covered. Let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes.

    Making the curry

    • Heat the frying pan or wok over medium heat and add the marinated tofu. Scrape the leftover marinade from the bowl into the pan. Add salt and black pepper and mix well. Fry it for 5-8 minutes.
    • Add red chilies, bamboo shoots, spring onions, and pre-cooked wood ear mushrooms. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
    • Add full-fat coconut milk (canned, shaken). Stir well.
    • Add maple syrup. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes. Voila! You are ready!
    Tried this recipe? Can we see it?Please share a picture with us by uploading an image to Pinterest below ours.

    Notes

    We served it with white rice. But there are lots of options. Here is our recommendation if you want to mix and match.
    • Grains like steamed, cooked, or fried white rice, brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, or a combination of them. 
    • Riced veggies like cauliflower rice or sweet potato rice
    • Noodles like soba aka buckwheat noodles. If you need to eat gluten-free, please choose gluten-free noodles as soba noodles may contain wheat flour which is not gluten-free.
    • Toppings like sliced green onion or scallions or sprouts, or fresh cilantro.

    Video

    [adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”OZ09BYqG” upload-date=”2021-09-23T07:53:20.000Z” name=”Thai Red Curry Tofu” description=”This is the easiest Thai red curry ever with only simple 6 ingredients to make a delicious sauce. We also used ingredients that are common in Thai cuisine like tofu, wood ear mushrooms also known as black fungus, bamboo shoots, spring onions and red chilis. It is a delicious, rich and creamy red curry dish which is done in 30 minutes!” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”true”]

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Thai Red Curry with Tofu
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving (without sides))
    Calories 276 Calories from Fat 207
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 23g35%
    Saturated Fat 17g106%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Sodium 42mg2%
    Potassium 341mg10%
    Carbohydrates 10g3%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 11g22%
    Vitamin A 274IU5%
    Vitamin C 21mg25%
    Calcium 131mg13%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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