Red curry paste is an integral part of any recipe in most Asian cuisines. Sadly, there are tons of red curry pastes in the market, making shopping for the best red curry paste a real hustle.
So to help you with this choice, we will share with you 7 of the best Thai curry pastes in the market. These are choice products made from some of the most exclusive ingredients in Thailand.
Best Thai Red Curry Paste to Buy
1. Mae Red Ploy Curry Paste
With Mae Red Ploy Curry paste, you can never go wrong in your recipes. Many of the newer curry paste in the market lack a distinct taste. Not the Mae Red Ploy, which has a natural taste bringing out the best of any meal.
Whether you are preparing stir-fry dishes or using them to flavor curry soups, it is simply one of the best Thai curry pastes. Remarkably, this curry paste is quite popular in Thailand due to its perception as an exotic high-value product.
Made from dried chili, few curries rival its spicy flavor. Furthermore, it is conveniently packed in an ergonomic easy-to-use package that keeps its flavor intact over time.
Pros
- Made from natural ingredients
- Doesn’t contain preservatives, MSG, and artificial colorings
- Unique taste
- Can be used in many recipes
Cons
- Has a strong chili taste not fit for those who do not like chili.
2. Thai Kitchen Gluten-Free Red Curry Paste
If you’re looking for a sharp-tasting curry paste, look no further. Definitely, you will love this one. First, it is hotter and tastier than its competitors and is one of the best red Thai curry pastes in a jar.
Also, unlike most other curry pastes, the Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste makers have the interest of vans at heart. They have designed a versatile paste for safely preparing various vegan or gluten-free recipes.
Whether you use it on Halibut cheeks, pad thai, tom ka, or the red curry shrimp, it will transform any meal into a delicious masterpiece.
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Vegan friendly
- Brings out the natural flavors of foods
- Spicier and sharper than most curry pastes
- Can blend well with other recipe ingredients
Cons
- Not tasty to non-vegans
3. Maesri Thai Red Curry Paste
Maesri curry paste aroma attracts you from afar. Without a double, it will surely tingle your nostrils immediately after you put it on the saucepan. Stir it into the dish, and immediately the blend of galangal, chilies, and lemongrass waft into your sinuses.
And that is the aroma for every chef who has a nose for the best curry paste. The specialty paste comes in a pack of four, sufficient to last a family of 6 people for some time.
Furthermore, all you need is half a can per serving, and you can preserve the rest in the fridge for your next use.
Pros
- Packed in an economical four-pack
- Made with non-preservatives
- No MSG
- 4oz pack for convenience
- Can last long if frozen
Cons
- Unfavorable for hot chili sensitive people
- Not fit for vegans as they have shrimp ingredients
4. Mekhala Organic Gluten-Free
Have you ever used Curry paste laden with artificial flavors and preservatives that taste bland? Well, you’re not alone. Some of the curry pastes in the market are so full of artificial junk that they lose their original taste.
And that’s where Mekhala gluten-free curry paste comes in. Surely, it is one of the best red curry paste brands in the market today. That is why, if you’re looking for a natural, organic paste, you can’t afford to miss this one in your pantry.
Mekhala gluten-free is made of green chilies and natural herbs farmed under strict organic settings in northern Thailand.
The blend brings out a crispy taste and gland-tingling aroma in any meal. Whether on meat, vegetables, tofu, or coconut chickpea curry, Mekhala organic adds the authentic taste to any meal.
Plus, you can use it to marinate or stir-fry to liven your meal. Further, the versatile curry paste suits all users’ flavors as it is gluten-free, oil-free, and nut-free, making it a keto and paleo enthusiasts’ favorite.
Pros
- Paleo and keto-friendly
- Certified USDA organic
- Sugar-free
- Non-GMO
- No dairy, animal, egg, or artificial ingredients
- Has added ingredients such as cinnamon and cloves
Cons
- Sharp taste due to chili
5. Mike’s Organic Curry-Love Organic Curry Paste
Without a doubt, this is one of the best store-bought red Thai curry pastes to have in your recipe. Like most top-quality curries, it is packed without any preservatives and additives, a truly natural organic product.
Truly, the curry paste is a rich blend of natural ingredients sourced from Thailand’s organic farms. Ingredients include dried red chili, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, coriander, and cumin, to mention but a few.
Mike’s Organic Curry Love is probably one of the most versatile curry pastes as you can use it on many types of cuisines. You can add coconut milk to your meat or vegetables or soups to give any bland food a new lease of flavor life.
Pro
- Versatile and can blend with any meal
- Has a low level of heat
- Brings out the natural flavor to any meal
Cons
- It has a short shelf life of 10 days once open unless frozen
6. Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste
This is one of the exotic curry pastes in the market. They are meticulously blended with a cocktail of fragrant flavors and spices to produce a top-notch flavor curry paste. The list of ingredients includes garlic, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, and shallot, among others.
There are multiple ways you can use this curry paste in your recipe. That includes curry squash soup with pancetta, soup base, shrimp, and pork stir fry with rice, noodles, scallions, radishes, and others.
Pros
- No added MSG
- Packed in an economical 35oz pack
- Gluten-free
- Long shelf life of 720 days
Cons
- Not favorable for those with soy allergies.
- Too spicy for some people and children
7. A taste of Thai Curry Paste
If you want the best red curry paste to buy, this is it. It is authentically natural and ready to craft a fast meal within no time. Whether you use it on chicken, fish, or vegetables with coconut milk or with a side of rice, it is just yummy.
Plus, with its moderate heat, it is fit for children and people allergic to chili heat. Amazingly, this paste makes very thick curry gravy if you follow its recommended amount. That means it is richer than most other varieties.
If you wish to make a lighter curry, you should go slow on the coconut milk in your recipe.
Pros
- No artificial colors, flavorings, and preservatives
- Suitable for vegans
- Versatile paste for a wide variety of cuisines.
Cons
- Low level of heat
How to Choose the Right Thai Red Curry Paste
Below are a few key indicators to look out for in the best Thai red curry paste.
Look for Aromatic Levels
Thai curry pastes are usually aromatic due to the many flavoring ingredients used in their making.
The ingredients include; chilies, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, cilantro roots, grachai, turmeric roots, and ginger among others. With all these romantic ingredients, you should expect the best flavors.
Analyze the Ingredients
Most red Thai red curry pastes contain the ingredients we listed above and a few others. However, there are certain ingredients that generally downgrade the quality and flavor of Thai curry pastes. Those include water, preservatives, additives, or oils.
Allergens
Most people have allergic reactions to different food types. If you suffer from allergies, be sure to scrutinize the content of the ingredients.
For instance, if you have shellfish allergies or peanut butter, you need to be careful with some pastes. Shrimp paste and peanuts are key ingredients in some of them.
Vegan Friendliness
Not all curry pastes are vegan-friendly since some contain fish and meat ingredients. As a vegan, it is crucial to read the details on the ingredients and labels carefully.
Luckily, there are some fantastic vegan-friendly ones in the market. Thai kitchen gluten-free curry paste, Mekhala organic free paste, and a few others are great examples.
Tastes
Just as the ingredients are different, so are the tastes. As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the taste. The statement is true for curry pastes, as well. Only by experimenting with the different brands can you make the best choice.
Shelf Life
Curry pastes do not have the same shelf life. Short shelf life curry paste might require you to buy small packs to avoid spoiling if you won’t use it all soon after opening. The alternative is to store it in a fridge which not every buyer has.
Final Thoughts
Not only are Thai red curry pastes aromatic and full of flavor, but they can transform any recipe into a mouth-watering meal. Sadly, not all are of the best quality. And that is what prompted us to dive deep into the market and come up with this list.
If you’re looking for the best Thai red curry, this is your chance. Buy any Thai red curry pastes above and enjoy exclusive flavors.
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