25 Easy Curry Recipes From All Around The World
And you don't even have to go to through TSA to try them all.
It should come as no surprise that, when given take-out choosing privileges, Team Delish is pretty much always going to choose anything involving curry. Of course, it always leads to the next major discussion: Which kind of curry, exactly? You could spend every dinner of the week trying a new curry recipe from around the world, from Japan and Thailand all the way to India or Jamaica. If that sounds like your ideal meal rotation, look no further – these 25 easy curry recipes will take you on a flavor trip!
First things first: What is a curry? Thought to originate from India, the term "curry" comes from the Tamil word for "sauce", and is defined by a sauce or gravy that's composed of a mixture of ground spices. Not to confuse you, but "curry" also refers not only to the dish itself, but the spice mix as well as the cooking style, something many cultures have borrowed and added to in their own way, especially in Japan, the Caribbean, Thailand, and parts of South America.
Now, it's time to get to the important stuff: the flavors. Indian curries, some of our favorites the world over (shout out to chicken tikka masala!), are usually composed of plenty of fresh ginger, onions and garlic, then layered with a collection of classic curry spices, like cardamom, fenugreek, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, turmeric, and more.
The blend (and even the amount) of curry spices, as you'll find, is very dependent on regions, and that goes for the curries that borrow from the Indian tradition. Why not try them all? Our Japanese curry has a rich, savory roux and sweet apple, while our Jamaican curry chicken adds the delightfully spicy Scotch bonnets and is a show-stopper over coconut rice. Up for the next stop? Look no further than the famous Thai curries, like massaman curry, panang curry, or a classic vegetable curry. When in doubt, we think adding curry to any dish is always a great idea, so feel free to go a bit rogue with our chicken tikka alfredo or curried chickpea salad.
Vegetable Curry
When we want something comforting, savory, and just a little spicy, we usually go with some form of curry. The robust flavor of a curry sauce acts as the perfect base for virtually any protein or vegetable. In this recipe, a variety of vegetables takes center stage alongside a creamy Thai-style curry. We promise you won’t even miss the meat.
Get the Vegetable Curry recipe.
Jamaican Curry Chicken
Only a few dishes reaaally hit the spot in the dead of winter – chicken curry is for sure one of them! The best part? It’s super hands off once you get it going. Throw the quick marinade together at the start of your day, and it’ll be ready to go by dinner. Sauté some aromatics in a pot, and then let it simmer for 30 to 40 minutes while you prep other things (or just relax, you deserve it).
Get the Jamaican Curry Chicken recipe.
Red Curry Shrimp & Noodle Soup
No boring, bland flavors here—this recipe is sure to satisfy each of the 5 taste sensations. Marinated shrimp and glass noodles are served in a red curry, coconut milk, and mushroom broth topped with bean sprouts, avocado, scallions, and cilantro. The broth has the perfect amount of spice, and is sure to keep you warm and cozy all year long.
Get the Red Curry Shrimp & Noodle Soup recipe.
Coconut Chickpea & Sweet Potato Curry
If you're craving a hearty and comforting dinner that's also vegan, look no further. This curry is bursting with flavors inspired by chana masala, and is so chock-full of flavor that you won't miss the meat. It's our tribute to the richness of Indian cuisine in every bite. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or simply looking for a tasty plant-based option tonight, give it a try!
Get the Coconut Chickpea & Sweet Potato Curry recipe.
Egg Curry
We here in the Delish Test Kitchen absolutely love curry. And though we're sure you've had curries made with chicken, lamb or even shrimp, you might not have had a curry made with perfectly cooked eggs. This recipe is so quick to come together and is a great way to use any leftover eggs you might have in your fridge.
Get the Egg Curry recipe.
Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala
Our sheet-pan tikka masala is a fun way to enjoy a classic Indian dish, chicken tikka masala, at home in a slightly new (and easier!) way. Here, we take whole pieces of chicken and pair it with crispy roasted potatoes and a masala sauce. It’s a foolproof way to get a whole dinner on the table using just a sheet pan.
Get the Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala recipe.
Japanese Curry
Unlike Thai or Indian curries that are thickened with yogurt or coconut milk, Japanese curry gets its richness from a deep, dark roux. You’re going to want to serve this with something that can sop up the delicious sauce—try it over white or brown rice, udon noodles, or with thick slices from a hearty bread. Any of our katsu recipes—tofu katsu, Southern-fried catfish katsu, or chicken katsu—would also be nice served atop this curry.
Get the Japanese Curry recipe.
Lamb Curry
A perfect curry for anyone new to cooking Indian recipes, we love to serve this up with hot, buttery homemade naan and fluffy jasmine rice. For pops of quick flavor, you can also serve this with slices of raw onion, fresh green chiles, and wedges of lime to go with your bowl.
Get the Lamb Curry recipe.
Coconut Curry Shrimp & Peas
This coconut curry shrimp and peas recipe is a quick route to a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner. You'll start by building up flavor with a mixture of onion, fresh ginger, garlic, and serrano chiles. Next, a smattering of spices—garam masala, paprika, and turmeric—infuses the coconut milk. All that's left to do is poach the shrimp directly in the broth and heat the peas and spinach through, and you're ready for dinner.
Get the Coconut Curry Shrimp & Peas recipe.
Butternut Squash Curry
This variation of curry is a one-pot meal fulfilling the carb, vegetable, and dairy-like needs you crave. Butternut squash is toothsome and savory, kale is earthy and green, and coconut milk wraps everything together in a creamy sauce. The curry spice—if you’re feeling adventurous, make our homemade curry powder blend—adds a little warm punch to each spoonful.
Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe.
Curry Powder
“Curry” has become a very nebulous term and what counts as “curry powder” is totally dependent on whom you ask. For this Indian-style curry powder, the main nonnegotiables are turmeric (for color), cumin (for savoriness), coriander (for fragrance), fenugreek (which smells amazingly like “curry” flavor all on its own). As for the remaining (and optional!) spices, think of them as a jumping board for you to tinker around with for your own perfect curry powder!
Get the Curry Powder recipe.
Red Curry Chicken Thighs & Rice
Almost any food can be curried, but chicken thighs are by far the best choice for a flavor-packed, wallet-friendly, and easy-to-execute meal. In this one-pan wonder, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs get seasoned with garam masala and pan-seared, then smothered in a creamy, slightly spicy red curry sauce before being served over rice with a wedge of lime.
Get the Red Curry Chicken Thighs & Rice recipe.
Chicken Tikka Masala
A classic Indian takeout dish, chicken tikka masala is not as difficult to make at home as you may think. Packed with flavor, the creamy, spiced sauce covers tender pieces of chicken, just waiting to be served with homemade naan and perfect basmati rice.
Get the Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.
Massaman Curry
A fusion between Thai, Indian, and Malaysian cuisines, this mildly sweet curry features tender braised beef, potatoes, and onions simmered in a richly spiced, aromatic coconut broth. Served over rice, there’s nothing more satisfying and delicious.
Get the Massaman Curry recipe.
Coconut Curry Salmon
This salmon dish can be as spicy as you like it. Just remember that the coconut milk will tone down a lot of the heat so even if you feel like the called for amount will be too much, it might not be. The coconut milk and spice go so well together, making a rich, but not heavy, sauce that really tastes and feels far more complicated than it is.
Get the Coconut Curry Salmon recipe.
Curried Chickpea Salad
With this curried chickpea salad recipe, you have a simple, fast, meatless way to satisfy that itch. Instead of the raisins you might find in a standard curried salad, we added fresh red bell pepper and red onion for some vegetal sweetness and a bit of bite. You can eat this salad as is, but we love it spread on some toasted bread and topped with butter lettuce and juicy tomato slices.
Get the Curried Chickpea Salad recipe.
Chicken Curry
Looking for an easy, weeknight-friendly curry? This chicken curry is IT. It’s rich, saucy, and perfectly spiced (but not too hot!), is made up of simple ingredients you might already have at home, and comes together in less than an hour. It’s also incredible from beginning to end, starting with a sauté that’ll have you exclaiming “Oh! That smells good!” and finishing with leftovers that might be even better than the main event.
Get the Chicken Curry recipe.
Thai-Style Red Curry Meatballs
Here is a meatball mashup that we just love: turkey meatballs in a creamy red Thai-style curry. When we get tired of beef, we love to turn to ground turkey for a lighter option, and this recipe always hits the spot. Warming and creamy with a hint of heat, this is the perfect dish to cozy up to when the weather starts getting colder—but it's so delicious, it deserves to be devoured year round.
Get the Thai-Style Red Curry Meatballs recipe.
Coconut Curry Chicken
There are TONS of chicken curries in the world. From south India to Thailand to Jamaica, no two are exactly the same. Our Americanized version might be a little untraditional, but it’s still pretty darn tasty. Here we’re simmering chunks of chicken in a lightly spiced coconut sauce till they’re tender and cooked through, and then ladling that creamy sauce over freshly cooked rice. Hungry? Yeah, we are too.
Get the Coconut Curry Chicken recipe.
Chicken Curry Laksa with Shrimp
Laksa paste is a type of curry paste traditionally found in Southeast Asian cuisine, best known as the flavorful base for the rich and spicy coconut broth soup. Although laksa soup traditionally features shrimp, this recipe can easily be tweaked to become a great chicken curry laksa. Simply omit the shrimp and increase the chicken to 24 ounces (about four bone-in, skin-on thighs) when you make the stock.
Get the Chicken Curry Laksa with Shrimp recipe.
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