Tofu Green Curry: Veggie Thai Green Curry Recipe

Name: Tofu Green Curry: Veggie Thai Green Curry Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 14 ounces of extra firm tofu; Avocado oil; 1 large diced onion; 2 minced garlic cloves; 1 chopped zucchini; 1 sliced red bell pepper; Chopped chili peppers (optional); 2 tbsp of vegan green curry paste; 1 can of coconut milk; 1 tbsp of coconut sugar; 2 tbsp of soy sauce; Freshly squeezed lime juice; Rice and freshly chopped cilantro to serve

by Meredith James
4 min read

Tofu green curry is a veggie and vegan-friendly recipe that takes the best elements of classic Thai green curry and replaces the meat with protein-packed tofu!

Our coconut-based green curry is a fragrant tofu curry that’s complete with fragrant lemongrass, notes of ginger and garlic, and Thai-inspired herbs, including basil and a few spicy chilis. Top it off with a serving of jasmine rice, and you’ve got yourself a green curry tofu special!

You’ll need a vegan green curry paste, extra-firm tofu, and your favorite curry vegetables for this delectable recipe. Add fresh chili for a spicy kick, or just enjoy the smooth undertones of the coconut milk without the added heat.

Keep reading for our tofu green curry recipe. Here’s how to make vegan Thai green curry with vegetables and tofu!

Tofu green curry recipe FAQ

Vegetarian Thai green curry is a deliciously fragrant dish, and with the help of a green curry paste, you’ll be surprised at how quick it is to prepare at home. To help you develop your veg Thai green curry recipe, here’s a quick FAQ filled with our top cooking tips!

What is Thai green curry?

Green curry is a Thai classic that locally (in Thailand) is known as Kaeng Khiao Wan. It’s a spicy yet fragrant curry that has a coconut milk base and takes its flavor from a mixture of chilis, cilantro, basil, and lemongrass (and lots more spices and herbs!).

The herbs are blended up into a paste, which then forms the basis for the curry itself. To speed things up at home, you can just cook with a pre-made green curry paste from the store. If you have time, though, then you can make the paste in a blender too.

Why is green curry green?

Green curry has a distinctive green color, and this color comes primarily from the green chilis in the paste. Many of the other herbs are green, too, of course, which adds to the color.

Green curry is a cousin of red curry, with the main difference being the color. Red curries use a similar recipe, but the primary ingredient is red chili rather than green chili (red chilis and red curry also tend to be a lot spicier than green curry!).

What vegetables go best with Thai tofu green curry?

Thai green curry works well with a fantastic range of vegetables, so don’t be afraid to experiment or to use up any veggies you’ve got lying around the kitchen.

There are lots of vegetables to put in curry, and here are a few of our top recommendations:

Bell peppers (red or green)
Onions
Mushrooms
Zucchini
Squash
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Green beans
Bok choy
Bean sprouts

What can I serve with tofu green curry?

The best thing to serve with tofu green curry is a portion of freshly cooked rice. You can choose your favorite rice, of course, but jasmine rice is a good choice. If you’re trying to be a little healthier, then switch white rice for brown rice.

Alongside your rice and Thai green curry with tofu, you can also serve up Thai spring rolls, a side salad, crackers, or an extra portion of steamed vegetables. Trust us, you can serve up almost anything to make this a great meal!

What can I do with the leftovers?

If you have any leftovers remaining after dinner, then you can store the curry in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Allow the green curry to cool down, then transfer the leftovers to a resealable container before storing them away.

You can reheat the curry on the stovetop. Just simmer the leftovers in a pan or skillet until they’ve warmed through. We’d suggest cooking up a fresh batch of rice for your leftovers, as rice doesn’t always reheat well. You can add some extra chopped cilantro to freshen it up, too.

Tofu green curry can also be frozen for later. Transfer the leftovers to a resealable container or ziplock bag, then leave them in the freezer for up to 6 months. You can defrost the leftovers overnight or on low power in the microwave. For the best results, reheat the tofu green curry on the stovetop, slowly heating it through to the center. Again, serve with fresh rice!

What tofu is best for tofu green curry?

For the best tofu green curry, you need to use firm or extra-firm tofu. Green curry is traditionally prepared with chicken, so the tofu becomes a meat-substitute. We need it to be firm and to keep its shape when being fried, then simmered.

Remember to press and drain your tofu before you start cooking with it. This removes excess water from the tofu and gives it a much firmer consistency. It also stops the tofu from tasting bland and watery, giving the tofu room to absorb the green curry!

Tofu green curry: a fragrant Thai specialty

Thai green curry tofu is a great dish to serve up when you’re craving a hot, spicy curry or you’re missing the scents, flavors, and tastes of Thailand!

We love this tofu-based green curry, and we’re positive that you will too. Why not bookmark our tofu green curry recipe for your next Thai evening?

Tofu Green Curry: Veggie Thai Green Curry Recipe

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Servings

Prep Time

45 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Image of Tofu Green Curry: Veggie Thai Green Curry Recipe

Ingredients

14 ounces of extra firm tofu
Avocado oil
1 large diced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1 chopped zucchini
1 sliced red bell pepper
Chopped chili peppers (optional)
2 tbsp of vegan green curry paste
1 can of coconut milk
1 tbsp of coconut sugar
2 tbsp of soy sauce
Freshly squeezed lime juice
Rice and freshly chopped cilantro to serve

Directions

Start preparing our green curry with tofu recipe by pressing and draining the block of tofu. For tofu curry, you need to remove any excess water and, for the best results, you can use a tofu press. You can also wrap your tofu in paper towels, then press down with a heavy kitchen object such as a chopping board. Leave your tofu to press for 20 mins.
When your tofu is pressed, chop it up into small, bite-size cubes. Heat a tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet, then brown your cubes of tofu on all sides until they are crispy all over. Remove the tofu from the skillet, and set aside.
The next step in our Thai green curry tofu recipe is to chop your onions, mince your garlic, then saute them in avocado oil in the skillet for 2 mins.
Chop your zucchini and red bell peppers (and any chilis you have for your tofu Thai green curry) and add them to the skillet too. Sautee for a further 2 mins.
Our vegan curry tofu is starting to come together, and now you can add your green curry paste. Mix the paste into the vegetables, add soy sauce and fry for 1 min.
Pour in the coconut milk and coconut sugar, and stir together with the rest of the green curry ingredients. Allow the ingredients to simmer together for 10 mins, then add the tofu to your vegan Thai curry.
Give your green coconut curry a good stir, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice, then serve piping hot with a serving of rice and freshly chopped cilantro.

Tofu Green Curry: Veggie Thai Green Curry Recipe