Thai Yellow Curry Paste is a warm, mildly spicy, and bright yellow-colored Thai condiment that is one of the main ingredients used in Thai Yellow Curry. It is usually made with fresh spices like galangal, lemongrass, whole spices, and basic Asian ingredients. The recipe I have shared here shows you how to make Thai Yellow Curry Paste with easy step-by-step ingredients for you to try and enjoy at home.
I have also shared a detailed video of this recipe below to show the making process visually and clearly. This Homemade Yellow Curry Paste is one of the best and easy-to-make condiments that can be used in Thai curries, stir-fries, soups, or recipes that call for it.
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What is Thai Yellow Curry Paste?
Thai Yellow Curry Paste is a warm, and mildly spiced Thai condiment loaded with flavors of fresh spices. The authentic ingredients like galangal, lemongrass, and fish sauce deliver a unique taste and flavor. Especially the fish sauce delivers the salty umami flavors that are popular in Thai dishes.
Thai Yellow Curry Paste is one of the popular curry pastes in Thai cuisine like red, green, and Panang curry paste. The Yellow Curry Paste is milder compared to other curry pastes in Thai Cuisine. And it is filled with flavors of warm fresh spices with vibrant yellow color. And the signature yellow color comes from the addition of fresh turmeric root.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this Thai Yellow Curry Paste are basic Asian pantry elements that should be easily available in most Asian grocery stores around. So let's see what are they below.
- Shallots and Garlic - Delivers the perfect balance of warm, sweet, and unique fresh taste to the paste
- Turmeric - One of the main ingredients which deliver the bright yellow color to your curries. Also filled with medicinal properties and is one of the staple ingredients on Asian continents for cooking
- Ginger or Galangal - You may find galangal in authentic Thai Curries and paste which delivers a sharp and peppery flavor. But if it is not handy feel free to use ginger for similar results
- Lemongrass - Delivers the citrusy, lemony, and slight mint flavor. A combination of lemon zest with little mint leaves might be the best substitute to mimic the flavor if lemongrass is not available to you
- Cumin and Coriander - You either use ground or whole cumin and coriander seeds that deliver the warm and spicy notes
- Dry Red Chilies - I have used the chilies with seeds inside for grinding paste. But feel free to remove the seeds for less heat
- Fish Sauce or tamari - The fish sauce is used for achieving the salty and umami flavors in authentic Thai recipes. But for a vegan or vegetarian-friendly version, I recommend using tamari sauce for similar results
- Coriander Leaves - Coriander leaves with stalk for fresh aroma and taste
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to make Thai Yellow Curry Paste?
The recipe I have shared here is a Thai Yellow Curry Paste, one of the flavorful, and mildly spiced pastes that make the best Thai Curries. This homemade curry paste is easy to make and is made with fresh Asian pantry ingredients. It is one of the important ingredients to make Thai Yellow Curry.
Following are the high-level instructions to make this recipe but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and video, please check out the recipe card below.
- Add Ingredients - In a blender jar, add all the ingredients mentioned in the ingredient list below in the recipe card and pour water
- Blend - Close the lid of the jar and blend everything until it turns smooth on the blender
- Remove and Store - Remove the jar from the blender, transfer the Yellow Curry Paste into a bowl, or store it in an airtight closed jar. Here the ingredients make up to half a cup of curry paste
- Usage - You can use this Yellow Curry Paste in make Thai Yellow Chicken Curry, veg curries, stir-fries dishes with chicken, shrimp, or veggies
Tips
- Best Flavor - Adding the ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, and fish sauce delivers the authentic taste and flavor to your paste. But I have also suggested some alternatives if some of the ingredients are not handy for you
- Galangal or Ginger - Galangal delivers the sharp, spicy, and peppery flavor of this paste but you can also substitute it with ginger if that's handy for you
- Substitute for Fish Sauce - Thai curry paste usually has fish sauce and shrimp paste for the unique salty umami flavors. However, you can also use tamari sauce or oyster sauce for similar results and to make it veg or vegan-friendly curry paste
- How to use - Saute this yellow curry paste in oil until aromatic and then add your favorite veggies and proteins. Simmer everything in coconut milk for a delicious Thai curry. You could also check my Thai Yellow Curry post for detailed step-by-step recipe instructions. Always use the quantity suggested by the recipe you are referring to for the best results
How to use this Paste?
This recipe yields up to a half cup of Yellow Curry Paste. A half cup is equal to 8 tbsp and I usually use 4 tbsp of curry paste for my Thai Yellow Curries, so it makes 2 batches according to my recipe for curries. But the quantity may also vary depending on how many veggies and proteins you use.
You can use this curry paste according to the recipe that calls for it. But always ensure to saute the curry paste in oil until aromatic, since the ingredients used for making the paste are all fresh and raw ingredients which may deliver a bitter taste if not sauteed properly.
What is the best substitute For Thai Yellow Curry paste?
The closest substitute you can use is our Thai Red Curry Paste, Thai Green Curry paste, Panang curry paste, and Vindaloo paste. Usually, yellow curry paste is mildly spiced compared to other curry paste mentioned above, so feel free to reduce the chili count for less spicy versions.
Storage Suggestions
This Thai Yellow Curry Paste stays good in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a closed airtight container. You can also store them for up to a month in the freezer-friendly individual portion bags.
Serving Suggestions
Use this curry paste in Thai yellow curries, stir-fries, chicken, shrimp, or veggie recipes that call for it.
Related Recipes
You could also find similar condiment recipes below and more in Thai recipes and curry recipes.
- Thai Red Curry Paste
- Thai Green Curry Paste
- Ginger Garlic Paste
- Vindaloo Sauce and Paste
- Tamarind Paste
- Thai Red Curry
- Thai Green Curry
- Thai Yellow Curry
- Panang Curry
- Pad Thai
Thai Yellow Curry Paste Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Yellow Curry Paste Recipe below that I hope will help you to make delicious Thai curries at home. You could also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Thai Yellow Curry Paste
Ingredients
- 2 Shallots, small onion
- 10 Dry Red Chilies, remove seeds for less heat
- ½ tbsp Galangal, or ginger chopped
- 1 tsp Fish Sauce, or tamari for vegetarian option
- 4 sprigs Coriander Leaves, use with stalks
- ½ tsp White Pepper Powder, or black pepper
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 2 Thai Chilies, optional
- 1½ tbsp Turmeric, fresh, chopped
- 2 tbsp Coriander Powder
- 1½ tbsp Lemongrass, remove the outer covering and chop the interior
- 5 Garlic Cloves
- 4 tbsp Water, or as needed for blending
Instructions
To make Thai Yellow Curry Paste
- In a blender jar, add all the ingredients mentioned in the ingredient list above and pour water
- Close the lid of the jar and blend everything until it turns smooth on the blender
- Remove the jar from the blender and transfer the Yellow Curry Paste into a bowl or store it in an airtight closed jar
To Serve
- You can use this Yellow Curry Paste in making Thai Yellow Chicken Curry, veg curries, stir-fries dishes with chicken, shrimp, or other Thai recipes that call for it
Video
Notes
- Best Flavor - Adding the ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, and fish sauce delivers the authentic taste and flavor to your paste. But I have also suggested some alternatives if some of the ingredients are not handy for you
- Galangal or Ginger - Galangal delivers the sharp, spicy, and peppery flavor of this paste but you can also substitute it with ginger if that's handy for you
- Substitute For Fish Sauce - Thai curry paste usually has fish sauce and shrimp paste for the unique salty umami flavors. However, you can also use tamari sauce or oyster sauce for similar results and to make it veg or vegan-friendly curry paste
- How to use - Saute this yellow curry paste in oil until aromatic and then add your favorite veggies and proteins. Simmer everything in coconut milk for a delicious Thai curry. You could also check my Thai Yellow Chicken Curry post for detailed step-by-step recipe instructions. Always use the quantity suggested by the recipe you are referring to for the best results
Nutrition
FAQ
Thai Yellow Curry Paste is a warm, and mildly spiced Thai condiment loaded with flavors of fresh spices. The authentic ingredients like galangal, lemongrass, and fish sauce deliver a unique taste and flavor. Especially the fish sauce delivers the salty umami flavors that are popular in Thai dishes.
No, Thai Yellow curry paste is mildly spiced compared to other Thai curry pastes. But it has more depth flavors of warm spices and fresh ingredients like galangal, lemongrass, and turmeric. You may also feel the salty umami flavor from the fish sauce that's been used in most Thai recipes.
The closest substitute you can use is our Thai Red Curry Paste, Thai Green Curry paste, Panang curry paste, and Vindaloo paste. Usually, yellow curry paste is mildly spiced compared to other curry paste mentioned above, so feel free to reduce the chili count for less spicy versions.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe I shared here and would love to hear from you about how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Cooking!
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