Name: authentic homemade thai red curry paste, พริกแกงเผ็ด
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 7-10 long-dried chilis, deseeded & stems removed (wear gloves when handling hot chilis); 2 California chilis deseeded and stem removed.; 2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp whole white peppercorn; ½ tsp cumin seeds; 1 1/2 tsp coriander seeds; 2 tsp galangal, chopped small; 2 tbsp lemongrass, finely chopped; 2 Tbsp cilantro stems or roots, chopped small; 1 Tbsp garlic, chopped small; 1/3 cup shallot, diced small; 1 tsp kaffir lime zest or *substitute* 1/2 tsp lime zest + 1 kaffir lime leaves; 2 tsp shrimp paste; 1-3 tbsp water *as needed only

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Making authentic homemade Thai red curry paste from scratch is very simple. All you need are a few spices, fresh herbs, and a kitchen tool to help you make the tastiest, most fragrant, and most flavorful homemade red curry paste.

Once you make this Thai red curry paste recipe use it immediately to make these AUTHENTIC, EASY, AND DELICIOUS Thai Red curry with Kabocha squash and Authentic Thai red curry recipes with chicken. Two authentic recipes that are very popular on my blog!

Thai red curry paste is the most widely used curry paste in Thai cuisine. It serves as a base for many other curries like jungle curry, massaman, choo chee, and other Thai curry recipes. The paste is also used in many Thai dishes for stir-fries and soups. It's a good paste to know how to make if you love Thai food.

Why Make Your Own Curry Paste?

Making homemade curry paste is easier than you think! You need the right ingredients, and you are set!
Making and using fresh curry pastes will change how you experience Thai curries. You will be able to taste and smell the exotic ingredients most delightfully. Trust me on this one. (:
Finding ingredients for making Thai curry pastes is much easier now than ever. Most, if not all, of the ingredients can be found at your local Asian market.
Curry pastes freeze very well. For easier measurements, you can freeze them in small portions in ice cube trays. Once frozen, remove them from the ice trays and store them in air-tight containers to keep them fresh longer.

Ingredients for Making Authentic Thai Red Curry Paste

These are the key ingredients you’ll need to make authentic Thai red curry paste. Not all the ingredients are listed here, but these are the essential ones that need a little explanation and possible substitutes.

Ingredients for Making Authentic Thai Red Curry Paste

These are the key ingredients you’ll need to make authentic Thai red curry paste.

Dry Spices

Dried red chilies. An essential ingredient for making curry paste. The spicy ones are Thai bird’s eye chilis, Piri Piri chilis, Thai long chilis (Prik Chee Fah), De Arbol, or dried Serrano chilis. The large chilis are used mostly for color and added flavors, use dried California/Anaheim chilis or Gualillo. This dried chilis set is a good combination of spicy and mild dried chilis, perfect for making curry paste.
White peppercorns are made from ripe black peppercorn berries. The skin is soaked and stripped, making the white peppercorns less spicy, but it generates a unique flavor and smell.
Coriander seeds are easily found in the spice section of most Asian markets. Use the powder form if unable to find whole seeds.
Cumin seeds. Use powder only if unable to find the seeds.

Wet or Fresh Ingredients

Lemongrass. Use fresh lemongrass Use the rounded lower 3-5 inches part of the stem. Chop the lemongrass stalks into small pieces before pounding for easy pounding. Frozen and chopped lemongrass is fine too. Read more about Lemongrass and how to use it in Thai cuisine.
Galangal. Use fresh or frozen galangal only for Thai curry paste recipes. Never use dried or powdered galangal. Also, never substitute ginger for galangal. They are two completely different ingredients with different flavors and fragrances. Most, if not all, Asian markets will have fresh or frozen galangal. Read more about Galangal in Thai cooking here.
Kaffir lime zest. This is the one ingredient you may not be able to find fresh, even in some well-stocked Asian markets. If you cannot find fresh kaffir limes, try this as a substitute. Use one lime zest plus 3-4 Kaffir lime leaves. If you can find key limes, use 3-4 key limes instead of 1 medium-sized lime. Key limes have a fragrant profile that is very nice to use as a substitute for kaffir limes. Read more about Kaffir limes and leaves and substitute here. Lemon zest could work, but you may need to add a little extra.
Cilantro roots or stems. Cilantro roots are rare in the US. Use the largest and lowest parts of the stems instead. They are also called coriander roots.
Shrimp paste. I highly recommend Thai shrimp paste for authentic curry paste. The smell is potent, but the paste will add a very deep umami taste to your curry paste.
Shallot. I don’t recommend substituting red onions for making curry pastes. You should easily find them in your local grocery stores.
Garlic. Garlic is essential in making curry pastes.
Salt. I recommend using kosher or Himalayan fine-grain salt. Salt preserves and adds flavors to the curry paste. Never use fish sauce for making curry pastes.

How to Make Authentic Homemade Thai Red Curry Paste?

I have two main methods for making Authentic Thai red curry paste. The first is the easiest and fasting, using a food processor or blender to mix all the ingredients. The second method uses the stone mortar and pestle to pound all the ingredients into a paste. This is more traditional have stronger flavors from the oils released from pounding all the ingredients together. Let's get started!

Using a Food Processor or Blender Method

If this is your first time making a curry paste, this method will be the easiest one to start with. Then perhaps the next time you do it again, check out the mortar and pestle method.

1. Remove the stems and seeds of the chilis, then soak all the chilis in warm water for 15-20 minutes or until soft. Cut the large chilis into smaller 1-inch pieces before soaking. Save the water for use in the food processor.
2. Toast cumin, coriander seeds, and white peppercorn on medium heat until fragrant for 2-3 minutes. Shaking the pan constantly to move the seeds around for an even toasting. Once fragrant and lightly toasted, remove from a pan into a plate to let cool.
3. Use a spice grinder or a small mortar and pestle to ground the toasted seeds to powder. Place the freshly ground powder into a food processor.
4. Drain, rinse and pat the chilis dry. Use kitchen scissors to cut the soaked chilis into 1-inch pieces and place them in a food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor. Add a little water,1 tablespoon at a time to help move the blades.
5. Pulverized all ingredients together into a fine smooth paste. Add more water in small amounts as necessary.
6. Remove the fresh curry paste for use. Done! Note the fresh flavors of a homemade curry paste. Glorious! Store unused paste in a glass jar, in the fridge for up to 14 days, and in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

Using the Mortar and Pestle

You will need a solid stone mortar and pestle for this method. I recommend using a medium-sized one with at least a 6 inches opening in width. When pounding, it's easier to start with the more fibrous and sturdy herbs and then move to softer ones towards the end.

Remove the stems and seeds of the chilis, then soak all the chilis in warm water for 15-20 minutes or until soft.
Toast cumin, coriander seeds, and white peppercorn on medium heat until fragrant for 2-3 minutes. Once fragrant and lightly toasted, remove from heat and let cool on a plate. Set aside.
Drain, rinse and pat dry the chilis. Use kitchen scissors to cut the chilis into 1-inch pieces and place them in the mortar with the salt. Start pounding with a pestle until smooth.
Add the toasted spices and pound until smooth.
Add the lemongrass and galangal and pound into the paste until smooth.
Repeat the pounding of cilantro stems, shallots, garlic, and kaffir lime zest.
Add the shrimp paste last and pound everything well until nice paste forms. Remove the paste and use it immediately for a curry. Enjoy the best Thai red curry paste from your very own kitchen! Refrigerate for up to 14 days. Freeze the paste for 4-6 months.

Tools Needed for Making Homemade Thai Red Curry Paste

A solid stone mortar and pestle with at least a 6-inch opening.
Food processor
Spice grinder
Kitchen scissor
Small glass jars for storing any leftovers
Food labeling

Kitchen Notes for a Successful Homemade Red Curry Paste

- You can adjust the heat level of your curry paste by how many peppers used. The more you use, the spicier your paste will be. The smaller the chilis, also the spicer the paste. Use Thai bird's eye chilis with caution as they are extremely hot!
- The seeds of the small chilis are where all the heat of the peppers is stored. It’s important to emove the seeds, with a small knife, like a paring knife, before soaking to help reduce the heat and control the spiciness level. Use kitchen gloves to do this.
- Soak the larger dried chilies longer for easier pounding. I also find that the longer they soak, the more vibrant red my paste is. Very satisfying and pretty!
- This is VERY important: Use kitchen gloves when handling smaller chilis like Thai bird eye chilis, especially when deseeding them. The oil of the chili seeds is extremely hot and can burn your skin for hours. I’m speaking from experience! Wash your hands well with soap after you’re done.
- If short on time, place them in a bowl with water to cover all the chilis. Microwave the bowl for 2-3 minutes, then carefully remove it and let it sit until you are ready to use the peppers.
- When toasting the dry seeds, watch the pan closely and shake it often to prevent burning. The heat will burn up the tiny seeds very quickly, so keep a close eye on them. Once a few seeds start popping, remove them from the pan and transfer them to a plate to let them cool.
- Freeze the leftover paste in small portions for easier measuring and thawing.
- For a more vibrant color in your curry pastes without compromising the authenticity of recipes and without adding more Thai chilies, try the following tips. Use red bell peppers for red curry paste instead of adding red chilies. For green curry paste, use Thai basil or sweet green bell peppers instead of adding more green chilis.

Related Recipes

Thai red curry with chicken and kabocha squash, known as Prik Gaeng Ped.
Authentic Thai green curry paste
Authentic Thai red curry recipe
Easy red curry green beans with shrimp, Pad Prik Khing
Pad Prik Khing with pork belly
Lemongrass and how to use it in Thai cuisine
Galangal in Thai cooking
Kaffir lime leaves and substitute
Choo Chee curry with salmon, with a rice creamy curry sauce
Easy Thai yellow curry chicken, an easy curry recipe with bamboo shoots and chicken
Pad Mee, a delicious Thai rice noodles dish

FAQs

What is red Thai Curry Paste Made of?

Thai curry pastes are made from fragrant herbs and dried spices. The main ingredients are dry, spicy red pepper, garlic, shallot, cilantro roots or stems, lemongrass, kra chai, galangal, kaffir lime zest, and fresh or dried chili peppers (depending on what curry you are making). The dried spices used are coriander, cumin, white peppercorn, fennel, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and a few others used for different curries.

Can You Freeze Homemade Thai Curry Paste?

Homemade curry pastes last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and can freeze for up to 6 months in an airtight container! If freezing, divide the paste into small portions for easy measurement, so you don’t have to thaw out the entire batch before measuring.

What Can I Substitute for Thai Curry Paste?

There is no substitute for Thai curry paste. The pastes are unique, with flavors from fragrant herbs and spices used. A curry paste is a must for curry recipes. If you are worried about the heat, try using less paste, or even better yet, make your paste with my recipe here! You can control the spice level when making homemade curry pastes.

Which Thai Curry Paste is the Best?

Well, that’s a trick question! There are so many different curry pastes in Thai cuisine. Playing a favorite wouldn’t be fair, will it? (; On a serious note, each curry paste has its unique flavor profile using different combinations of herbs and spices. The most popular ones are red, green, yellow, Panang, and Massaman curry paste. They are all different and delicious in their right, and it comes down to your taste bud and what you like!

Can You Turn Curry Powder into Curry Paste?

Maybe. It depends on what curry powder you have and what curry paste you try to make. Curry powder is a pre-made blend of different spices to use as a whole ingredient for a recipe. In some Thai yellow curry pastes, you need curry powder to add to the paste. I hope this answers your question!

Is Thai Red Chili Paste The Same As Red Curry Paste?

No, they are two different things, and each has different uses for different recipes. Thai red chili pastes are typically a relish or sauce with different tastes and ingredients, while red curry paste is a base used for many Thai curries. Chili paste and curry paste cannot be used as substitutes for one another.

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