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Yellow Coconut Curry Sauce Recipe

4.7 from 138 reviews

This vibrant yellow coconut curry sauce combines aromatic spices, fresh herbs, and creamy coconut milk to create a rich and fragrant base perfect for a variety of dishes, such as meatballs, chickpeas, or prawn stir-fries. The sauce features a harmonious blend of turmeric, curry powder, and coriander, balanced with a touch of sweetness and heat from red chili, all simmered to a luxurious thickness that enhances any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Spice Paste

  • 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1 lemongrass stalk, bashed, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 4 shallots, roughly chopped
  • 50g ginger, roughly chopped
  • Small handful of coriander, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp light brown soft sugar
  • Salt, to taste

Curry Sauce

  • 2 tbsp coconut or sunflower oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • ½ tbsp mild curry powder
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 400ml coconut milk (1 can)
  • 500ml chicken stock
  • 1 tsp fish sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Spice Paste: In a food processor, combine the finely chopped red chilli, garlic cloves, lemongrass stalk, shallots, ginger, coriander, light brown soft sugar, and a pinch of salt. Blitz the ingredients until the mixture is very finely chopped and forms a fragrant paste.
  2. Sauté the Onions and Spices: Heat the coconut or sunflower oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion along with the ground turmeric, mild curry powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt. Cook the mixture for 8 to 10 minutes until the onions are softened and aromatic.
  3. Cook the Spice Paste: Stir the prepared spice paste into the pan and fry for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring regularly, until the mixture becomes very fragrant and slightly thickened.
  4. Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the coconut milk and chicken stock, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 20 to 25 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and thicken to a rich consistency.
  5. Season and Finish: Taste the sauce and season with up to 1 teaspoon of fish sauce according to preference, stirring well. Remove from heat and use as a base for your favorite dishes, such as meatballs with chickpeas or coconut rice with prawn stir-fry.

Notes

  • The fish sauce is optional but adds a depth of umami flavor to the curry sauce.
  • Use coconut oil for a more authentic flavor, or sunflower oil as a neutral alternative.
  • The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to four days.
  • Adjust the level of chili to your heat preference by including seeds or using fewer chilies.
  • This sauce pairs wonderfully with proteins like chicken, shrimp, or legumes like chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

Keywords: yellow coconut curry sauce, coconut curry, Thai curry sauce, curry paste, coconut milk curry, homemade curry sauce, curry recipe