When you need a warm and cozy meal dive into a bowl of this Thai Butternut Squash Curry! It’s packed with butternut squash, kale and spices and made creamy with coconut milk for a vegetarian Thai curry dish that is vegan and gluten-free and comes together in just 30 minutes.

Butternut squash curry in a white bowl with a wood spoon

Thai Butternut Squash Curry

Are you ready for the ultimate stay-at-home cozy meal that you can eat while bundled up in a cozy blanket?!

There’s honestly nothing better on a cold Fall day than enjoying some cozy soups, stews and curries, especially when they’re made with one of my favourite Fall ingredients: butternut squash.

Butternut squash is light and sweet and perfect to use in a variety of dishes from soups to risotto or even in vegan mac and cheese. It’s such a versatile ingredient and can be eaten with a variety of flavours, including Thai curry flavours.

This recipe for Thai Butternut Squash Curry is made with Thai red curry paste, curry powder and coconut milk for a fragrant and flavourful curry you won’t be able to stop eating. Each serving of this curry has just 222 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein making it the perfect option for a light meal. (plus you can always add some rice or some tofu to it if you want some extra protein and carbs in it:) )

Why you’ll love this squash curry

  • On the table in 30 minutes. This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes for when you need dinner on the table quickly. It’s really a no-fuss meal which I find is ideal for weeknights.
  • One pot meal. Nobody wants to spend all evening cleaning dishes from dinner, right? This curry is made in just one pot for a fuss-free clean-up.
  • Great for meal prep. curries are AMAZING for meal prep. Not only do they store well in the fridge for days, but they also become more flavourful over time as the flavours sit together.
  • Freezer friendly. Besides being great for meal prep, this curry is also freezer-friendly and can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months in a sealed container.

Butternut squash curry Ingredients

A flat lay of ingredients to make a butternut squash curry

Tip: want to save even more time? Buy pre-cut butternut squash at the grocery store!

  • Butternut Squash: this type of squash is delicious in curries for its sweet taste. It also holds up well to the curry sauce and doesn’t fall apart.
  • Kale: I like to use kale in curries as opposed to spinach sometimes because it can stand up better to the curry and adds a bit more texture.
  • Ginger: fresh ginger is best here and will add great flavour to the curry.
  • Garlic: make sure to use fresh garlic! I use 3 medium-sized cloves of garlic.
  • Onion: regular onion works fine here.
  • Vegetable broth: I generally prefer to use low-sodium vegetable broth so I can control how salty my curry is. Some vegetable broths tend to be very salty.
  • Coconut milk: make sure to use full-fat coconut milk from a can. This type of coconut milk is the key to creating a rich and creamy curry.
  • Thai curry paste: you can find this at most grocery stores or your local Asian grocery store. Make sure to check the label as some brands can contain shrimp paste which is not vegetarian.
  • Curry powder: regular curry powder from the grocery store works here. This adds another dimension and more flavour to the curry in addition to the curry paste.
  • Soy sauce: if needed use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
  • Coconut sugar: you can substitute palm sugar, maple syrup or agave if needed.
  • Lime: a squeeze of fresh lime juice will brighten up all the flavours in the curry. It’s also nice to serve this dish with a wedge of lime.

How to make Butternut Squash Curry

Tip: not sure how to choose and cut a butternut squash? Check out my Ultimate Guide To Cook Butternut Squash.

Step 1

Start by browning the onions and garlic in a pot on medium-high heat. Then add in the curry paste and curry powder and stir it all together.

  • A white pot with onions and garlic in it
  • A white pot with onions, garlic and curry paste in it

Step 2

Add the butternut squash and sauteé for a couple of minutes, then add the broth, coconut milk and seasoning and stir it all together. Cover and let it simmer for 15 minutes until the squash is tender.

  • A white pot with cubed butternut squash and onions in it
  • A white pot with squash, broth and coconut milk in it

Step 3

Once the squash is cooked, add in the kale and stir together until the kale is wilted and soft. Then add some cornstarch to thicken the curry sauce and serve. Enjoy the curry on its own or serve with rice and top it off with some fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts.

  • A white pot with squash curry and fresh kale leaves in it
  • a white pot with butternut squash and kale curry in it

Squash curry recipe variations and add-ins

This curry recipe is totally customizable so you can really make it your own! Here are some additional vegetables and ingredients you can try adding to the curry:

  • Chickpeas: add them in cooked. this will add some more protein to the curry
  • Sweet potatoes: you can also use sweet potato in place of the butternut squash if you prefer
  • Peppers: add in some of your favourite peppers for some flavour
  • Tofu: add some cubed soft-medium tofu

How to make butternut squash curry in an Instant Pot

Set the Instant Pot on saute mode and sautee the onions, garlic and ginger. Then add the curry paste and curry powder and mix together.

Next add in the squash, coconut milk, broth and seasoning and mix to combine. Switch the Instant Pot to manual mode and pressure cook for 6 minutes on high pressure, with the vent on sealing. Then switch to venting and let the pressure release. Add in the kale and mix together until the kale is wilted.

How to make butternut squash curry in a slow cooker

To make this curry in a slow cooker, saute the onions, garlic and ginger in a pan and then add them to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients, except for the kale. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Once done add the kale in and mix together.

What to serve with this curry recipe

Butternut Squash Curry is delicious served on its own or with some rice or quinoa, but you can also serve this dish up family style with some starters, appetizers or sides. Here are some of my favourite recipes to serve up with this curry.

butternut squash curry and rice in a white bowl with a napkin on the side

How to store and freeze leftovers

Fridge: store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can enjoy it on its own or serve it with rice.

Freezer: Let the curry cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let defrost on the countertop and reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.

Expert tips for making squash curry

  • Cut the squash into even cubes so it cooks evenly in the curry sauce. If you want the curry to cook even faster, cut the squash into smaller cubes.
  • Want to save time? Buy pre-cut squash. Most grocery stores sell squash that is already pre-cut into cubes. So if you’re short of time (or just don’t want to deal with cutting up a squash) go ahead and buy pre-cut squash for this recipe.
  • Adjust the seasoning as needed. Depending on how salty your vegetable broth is, or how strong your Thai curry paste is, you may need to add a bit more/less soy sauce and curry paste.
  • Dissolve the cornstarch in a touch of water before adding it to the curry. If you add cornstarch directly to a hot liquid, it will become clumpy and won’t mix in properly.
  • A note on curry paste: some brands of curry paste can be much spicier than others. (generally, if you buy curry paste from an Asian supermarket that is made in Thailand, it will be more authentic but spicier.) Depending on your palate you may want to start with less curry paste and adjust as go for your own spice tolerance.

Butternut squash curry FAQ

Is there a substitute I can use instead of butternut squash?

If you don’t have butternut squash on hand or it’s not your favourite, you can substitute the squash in the recipe with sweet potato, regular potato or cauliflower.

Can you freeze Butternut Squash Curry?

Absolutely! This recipe is freezer-friendly and perfect to make extras to freeze for another meal. Simply freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Can I make this curry without coconut milk?

You sure can! While the coconut milk adds delicious richness and flavour, you could substitute it for something lighter like almond milk or just substitute it for more vegetable broth. Just keep in mind that this will alter the final taste of the dish.

Can I use light coconut milk instead of full-fat coconut milk?

Yes! If you use light coconut milk, the curry will be a bit less rich in flavour and the sauce will likely be a bit thinner. In this case, you may want to cook down the sauce a bit more to help thicken it.

Can I make this into a soup?

If you want to make this recipe into a soup, you can add the final curry (without the kale) to a blender to puree it. I also have a Thai Butternut Squash Soup recipe if you’re looking for a Thai soup!

A bowl of butternut squash curry topped with cilantro and a lime wedge

More curry recipes you’ll love

If you tried this Butternut Squash Curry or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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A bowl of butternut squash curry topped with cilantro and a lime wedge

Butternut Squash Curry

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: Thai
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This Thai-style Butternut Squash Curry is ready in 30 minutes and packed with bold flavours!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed. (approx 1 small squash)
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil (can sub vegetable oil)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2–3 tbsp Thai red curry paste
  • 2 tsp curry powder
  • 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 3/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 1–2 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 3 cups kale
  • 2 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tsp cold water
  • Rice for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the avocado oil in a pot on medium-high heat, then add the onion and let cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and let cook for another 1-2 minutes until lightly browned.
  2. Add curry paste and curry powder mixing everything together and letting the curry paste toast slightly for 20-30 seconds, then add the butternut squash and mix all together letting cook for a couple of minutes.
  3. Add the coconut milk, vegetable broth, soy sauce, coconut sugar and lime juice mixing everything together, then cover and let simmer for 15 minutes until the squash is tender.
  4. Once the squash is cooked, remove the cover and add in the kale, letting it wilt and soften in the curry for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Next, add the cornstarch and mix it together. This will help to thicken the curry sauce.
  6. Serve immediately over rice or on its own.

Notes

Cut the squash into even cubes so it cooks evenly in the curry sauce. If you want the curry to cook even faster, cut the squash into smaller cubes.

Adjust the seasoning as needed. Depending on how salty your vegetable broth is, or how strong your Thai curry paste is, you may need to add a bit more/less soy sauce and curry paste.

Dissolve the cornstarch in a touch of water before adding it to the curry. If you add cornstarch directly to a hot liquid, it will become clumpy and won’t mix in properly.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
    • Calories: 222
    • Sugar: 7.1g
    • Sodium: 400mg
    • Fat: 10.8g
    • Saturated Fat: 5.9
    • Carbohydrates: 31g
    • Fiber: 5g
    • Protein: 4.9g