Difference between red curry vs green curry (2024)

FAQs

Difference between red curry vs green curry? ›

While all three can be super spicy, usually red is hot hot hot and green is milder, with yellow in between. The most popular of the bunch, Thai Green Curry has got even greener over the years with the addition of ingredients like basil, coriander and kaffir leaf.

Traditionally, all Thai curries were made with the same ingredients except for one thing: the chilies. Red curry was made with several red chilies for a fiery hot dish, while green curry was made with green chilies and yellow curry was made with yellow chilies.

Green curry is considered the most popular curry. With coconut milk as one of the main ingredients, there is a hint of sweet flavoring as well. Because the green curry paste is made with green chilis, it is far hotter than other curries. However, for most curry lovers, the spicier the better!

Most likely, you'll encounter red curry more frequently than the other types as it is the most used for its versatility. But if you can brave the spiciness right away, you'll probably enjoy authentic green curry. If you're opting for the healthiest option of the three, then the best Thai curry for you is green curry.

The pastes can usually be stored in the fridge for a reasonable amount of time and add heat and spice to a variety of dishes. Unfortunately we can't recommend substituting green Thai curry paste for red Thai curry paste, as the two have very different flavour profiles.

Water-Based Curry Pastes

Jungle curry - Many people just use red curry paste for jungle curry, but I prefer to make it with a combination of dried and fresh green chiles, which add a bit of a grassy note. (This also means you can make a cheaty version by using a combination of green and red store-bought pastes!)

Thai Green Curry is….

Very fragrant – from all the herbs and aromatics in the curry paste. It has a less “in your face” flavour compared to Thai Red Curry but it's more fragrant with chilli than Thai Yellow Curry. Creamy, sweet, and salty. But all too often, Thai takeout places make it far too sweet!

Indian restaurant menus often serve different varieties of curries and the two mildest curries of all are - Korma (Navratan, Chicken) and pasanda (Paneer).

However, when they do, the dish in question must be Phaal curry. Phaal is the hottest curry in the world because it is made from Bhut Jolokia, the world's hottest chilli.

Green curry is great with chicken and shrimp because it offers a punch of seasoning to the protein. The long list of herbs also makes green curry one of the healthiest Thai cuisine dishes. You may also see green curry in Thai fusion dishes like pasta or sandwiches.

Should I order red or green curry? ›

If you like a spicy dish with a bright herbal flavor from cilantro and other fresh herbs, then green curry is a good option. If you prefer a balance of spiciness and sweetness and something that is not too spicy, go with the red curry.

The preference of Thai red curry or green curry depends on personal taste. Some people might prefer the spicier and bolder taste of red curry, while others might enjoy the more herbal and fragrant flavor of green curry. Both are delicious in their own ways, and it's worth trying both to see which one you like better.

Any Indian curries that are tomato-based, like tandoori, madras, jalfrezi, rogan and bhuna, are the lowest in calories. They average around 200-300 calories. If you want an even healthier option, consider a sauce-free dish like fish tikka (which is only 180 calories).

Panang curry is typically milder, sweeter, and richer, due to the addition of peanuts and the lower amount of chili used in the curry paste. Red curry, on the other hand, is often spicier and more aromatic, courtesy of a larger quantity of red chilies used to create the curry paste.

While both are Indian spice mixes, their unique flavor profiles distinguish them. Curry Powder tends to be milder, with a symphony of spices creating a harmonious, less intense flavor compared to the robust complexity of Garam Masala.

Use tom yum paste as an alternative to red curry paste in vegan tom kha soup.

We have to learn to adapt.” You can also prepare big batches to use for later, rather than starting from scratch every time you're making curry. Pastes can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge and will be at their freshest for two weeks.

Green Thai Curry is considered the hottest of all curries that will give you that burning but tasty flavor all over your mouth. For those who think that red curry is the spiciest among the Thai curries, it's about time to change this mindset.

Thai Curry vs Indian Curry

Indian curries depend highly on turmeric and coriander, whereas Thai curries depend heavily on chili peppers. Thai curries usually feature more heat and a creamy consistency, while Indian curries are highly savory and more soup-like, closer to the consistency of hot sauce.

Panang Curry

Also referred to as phanaeng curry by the locals, this curry dish is one of the most popular curries in Thailand and is widely known because of its saltier and slightly sweeter taste. The roots of the Panang curry are traced back to Laos, and it is a thick curry consisting of a predominant peanut flavor.

Which curry is the sweetest? ›

Massaman curry: Masaman curry is one of the sweetest styles of curry. It's a Thai style, but is also influenced by many varieties of Indian curry. Rather than spices, most of masaman curry's flavor comes from cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, according to Traveling 9 to 5.

In general, Thai yellow curry is the mildest, Thai red curry is medium-hot and Thai green curry is spicy, although it can sometimes vary depending on what region of Thailand you are in.

Green curry is a popular Thai dish believed to have originated in the early 20th century (source). The flavor base is green curry paste, which is traditionally made from a combination of green chilies, shrimp paste, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, peppercorns, makrut limes, and cumin seeds (source).

Usually, the Panang curry also includes a bunch of various vegetables. While very similar to red curry, Penang is usually seasoned to be less spicy than red curry and has the added ingredient of peanuts that gives it a sweeter flavor.

Red curry gets its vibrant red color from an assortment of spicy red chiles and seasoning. It may contain red curry paste or tomato to give it an even richer aroma and taste. With over 20 possible chiles in the most common recipes, red curry is known to be spicy, so watch out!

However, Thai green curry is slightly hotter than a panang but milder than a red or yellow.