Easy Thai Red Curry with Tofu

Name: Thai Red Curry Tofu Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 (14 to 16-ounce) block extra firm tofu (pressed and drained, or super firm tofu); 2 tablespoons Thai Red Curry paste (or Gochujang paste); 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup (or to taste); 1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce (preferably low sodium)); 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil ((optional)); 2 large cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon minced or grated ginger; 1/4 cup unsweetened nondairy milk (or coconut milk (optional for reheating), plus more to taste ); 1 teaspoon cornstarch (dissolved in 1 tablespoon water)

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This quick and easy Thai Red Curry with Tofu is made with nine budget and pantry-friendly ingredients. It's healthy, flavorful, and perfect for meal-prep. A kid-approved vegan lunch or dinner the whole family will enjoy.

Thai red curry with baked tofu on white rice in a white dish, garnished with chopped cilantro.

This 20-minute recipe can be made ahead of time for a quick weeknight dinner. Eating a nourishing vegan meal does not have to be time consuming or complicated. Plus, this recipe is packed with plant-based protein and heart healthy fats.

Serve this protein-packed Tofu Thai Red Curry with my 5-Minute Raw Carrot Salad, or this 6-Ingredient Red Cabbage Salad. Add a serving of Jasmine rice, or a grain of your choice, for a complete meal.

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👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
🍛 Substitutions
📖 Instructions
💡 Expert Tips
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🍽 Related Recipes
👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Ginger, tofu, garlic, lime, tamari, Thai red curry paste, rice vinegar, maple syrup, cornstarch, and toasted sesame oil on a gray backdrop.

Extra-firm tofu or super-firm tofu works best for this dish. Press the tofu beforehand, or try to find super firm or sprouted tofu which is pre-pressed. Nasoya and Wildwood are the brands I use. Plus, super firm tofu has the most plant-based protein of all the types of tofu.
Thai Red Curry Paste packs flavor into this recipe. This paste is widely available at most supermarkets and health food stores. I use the vegan Thai Kitchen brand.
Cornstarch is optional and works as a thickener when heating the sauce. Dissolve 1 teaspoon in 1 tablespoon water before adding it to the skillet so it does not become lumpy.
Add nondairy milk or canned coconut milk (not shown) when heating the Thai Red Curry marinade for a creamy curry.
Toasted sesame oil adds a fragrant sesame aroma but can be omitted for oil-free.
Lime is optional. It is used to add more flavor for serving.

See recipe card for quantities.

🍛 Substitutions

Thai red curry paste - use Gochujang paste instead to change things up
Tamari - use gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free marinade recipe, or soy sauce as needed
Lime- omit as desired
Toasted sesame oil - omit for oil-free

Try this Easy Noodle Salad with Sesame Dressing for another quick and delicious Asian-inspired recipe. Visit my Vegan Tofu Recipes page for more healthy and easy tofu dinner ideas.

📖 Instructions

One block of sliced tofu on a cutting board between two chopsticks and next to a blue chef's knife.

Step 1. Cut the tofu into the desired shape (cubes, rectangles, triangles). I prefer to keep the block intact for marinating, and pouring the marinade between the cracks. For this method, place the block between two chopsticks, and slice widthwise. Then, transfer the block to a rectangular airtight container and pour the marinade over the top, making sure to get it into the cracks. Complete cutting the rectangles all the way through before cooking.

One sliced block tofu in aThai red curry marinade in a glass container.

Step 3. For marinating the tofu: Mix the Thai Red Curry paste, maple syrup, tamari, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Transfer the cut tofu to the bowl and toss to coat. Place the tofu in an airtight container and pour the remaining sauce onto the tofu. Marinate for at least 15 minutes.

Ten marinated tofu rectangles on a white baking sheet.

Step 3. Pan fry, air fry, bake or grill the tofu. (See detailed instructions in the recipe card below.)

Thai red curry sauce in a white skillet.

Step 4. Heat the sauce in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add unsweetened nondairy or canned coconut milk, and the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan for a creamier sauce.

💡 Expert Tips

To air fry the marinated tofu: Set the air fryer temperature to 400ºF. Cook the tofu for 10 minutes, shaking the basket after 5 minutes. Remove once the tofu is the desired crispiness and color.
To bake the marinated tofu: Set the oven temperature to 425ºF. Cook the tofu for 15 minutes, flipping the pieces over after 10 minutes. Remove once the tofu is the desired crispiness and color.
To pan fry the tofu: Heat a drizzle of oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the tofu for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
For grilling: cook until the desired crispiness and color.
Heat the remaining marinade for serving in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water), and the nondairy milk for a creamy sauce.
Storage: Refrigerate the marinated tofu in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator. Refrigerate any remaining Easy Thai Red Curry with Tofu in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Which color Thai curry is the hottest?

Traditionally, all Thai curries were made with the same ingredients except for 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.
As the dishes developed over time, new ingredients were added to enhance the differences and make them more distinct. While all three can be very spicy, usually red is the hottest, and green is milder, with yellow falling somewhere in between.

Should you marinate tofu before frying?

For the tastiest results, marinade the tofu overnight.

How do I get my tofu extra crispy?

Roll the slices or cubes of marinated tofu in some rice flour, potato starch, cornstarch, arrow root, or grated coconut before pan-frying for an extra-crispy crust. Then either pan-fry or deep-fry the tofu in a non-stick pan with a generous amount of oil.