Red Curry Dumpling Soup
A Thai classic gets a cozy twist in this red curry dumpling soup. It’s the perfect comforting meal when you’re sick or just feeling a little under the weather. Use any dumplings or wontons you love — vegetarian, chicken, or even beef — and let them soak up all that bold, spicy broth.
Servings to 3
Ingredients
SOUP BASE
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup red curry paste
- 1/2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 13- ounce can coconut milk
- 1/3 cup water or broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or palm sugar
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or 1 finely chopped red chili (to taste)
- salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped Thai basil
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions, optional garnish
- chili oil, optional garnish
DUMPLINGS
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 12 to 16 dumplings or wontons
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the coconut oil. Once it’s warm, add the ginger paste and minced garlic. Sauté for a minute or two until fragrant, but don’t let it brown.
- Stir in the red curry paste and cook for about 2 minutes to bring out its full flavor.
- Pour in the coconut milk, water, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir until everything is well combined, then bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble for 5 to 7 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
- Taste the broth first before adding any salt. Then season as needed. Adjust with more lime juice, sugar, or red pepper flakes depending on how tangy, sweet, or spicy you like it.
- While the soup simmers, heat neutral oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the dumplings or wontons in a single layer and cook until the bottoms are golden brown. Add a splash of water, cover, and steam until fully cooked through.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the Thai basil and cilantro.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with the crispy dumplings. Garnish with scallions or a drizzle of chili oil if you like a kick.
Notes
Q: Can I use green or yellow curry paste instead of red?
A: Yes! Red curry is the boldest and spiciest of the three, but if you prefer something milder or slightly sweeter, yellow or green curry paste will still work beautifully in this soup. Just know the flavor profile will shift a little — still delicious though! Q: What kind of dumplings should I use?
A: Totally up to you! You can use any store-bought frozen dumplings — chicken, veggie, or shrimp all work great. If you're feeling extra, homemade dumplings would take it to the next level, but frozen ones make this super easy and fast. Q: Do I need to thaw the dumplings first?
A: Nope! You can add them straight from the freezer into the simmering broth. They’ll cook through in the soup and soak up all that flavor. Q: What if I want crispy dumplings?
A: You can absolutely pan-fry them first for a crispy golden exterior, then gently place them into each bowl when serving so they stay crunchy. Steaming them works too if you want a softer texture without boiling them in the broth. Q: Is this soup spicy?
A: It has a nice warmth to it, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy — especially if you use just a spoonful or two of curry paste. You can always tone it down with a little extra coconut milk or bump it up with chili oil or sliced Thai chilis if you’re heat-loving. Q: Can I make this vegan or vegetarian?
A: Yes! Just use a vegetarian curry paste (some contain shrimp paste), swap in veggie broth, and use plant-based dumplings. For the fish sauce, you can substitute with soy sauce, tamari, or even a dash of mushroom soy sauce for that deep umami flavor without any seafood. Q: How can I store leftovers?
A: If you’re making this ahead or saving leftovers, keep the dumplings and broth separate so the dumplings don’t get soggy. Reheat the broth on the stove, then add in the dumplings just before serving. Q: Can I freeze it?
A: The broth freezes really well! Just cool it completely and store in an airtight container. Dumplings are best added fresh or from frozen when reheating. Q: What veggies go best in this soup?
A: Green beans and red bell peppers are perfect! They hold up well in the broth and add color, texture, and a little natural sweetness. Slice the bell peppers thin so they cook quickly, and add the green beans just long enough to get tender but still vibrant.
A: Yes! Red curry is the boldest and spiciest of the three, but if you prefer something milder or slightly sweeter, yellow or green curry paste will still work beautifully in this soup. Just know the flavor profile will shift a little — still delicious though! Q: What kind of dumplings should I use?
A: Totally up to you! You can use any store-bought frozen dumplings — chicken, veggie, or shrimp all work great. If you're feeling extra, homemade dumplings would take it to the next level, but frozen ones make this super easy and fast. Q: Do I need to thaw the dumplings first?
A: Nope! You can add them straight from the freezer into the simmering broth. They’ll cook through in the soup and soak up all that flavor. Q: What if I want crispy dumplings?
A: You can absolutely pan-fry them first for a crispy golden exterior, then gently place them into each bowl when serving so they stay crunchy. Steaming them works too if you want a softer texture without boiling them in the broth. Q: Is this soup spicy?
A: It has a nice warmth to it, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy — especially if you use just a spoonful or two of curry paste. You can always tone it down with a little extra coconut milk or bump it up with chili oil or sliced Thai chilis if you’re heat-loving. Q: Can I make this vegan or vegetarian?
A: Yes! Just use a vegetarian curry paste (some contain shrimp paste), swap in veggie broth, and use plant-based dumplings. For the fish sauce, you can substitute with soy sauce, tamari, or even a dash of mushroom soy sauce for that deep umami flavor without any seafood. Q: How can I store leftovers?
A: If you’re making this ahead or saving leftovers, keep the dumplings and broth separate so the dumplings don’t get soggy. Reheat the broth on the stove, then add in the dumplings just before serving. Q: Can I freeze it?
A: The broth freezes really well! Just cool it completely and store in an airtight container. Dumplings are best added fresh or from frozen when reheating. Q: What veggies go best in this soup?
A: Green beans and red bell peppers are perfect! They hold up well in the broth and add color, texture, and a little natural sweetness. Slice the bell peppers thin so they cook quickly, and add the green beans just long enough to get tender but still vibrant.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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