This Thai massaman curry recipe is easy to make and full of rich, warm, mellow flavor. Make it with your choice of chicken or tofu and potatoes in a lovely spiced curry sauce.
I love how recipes hold the secret to the past. Massaman curry is unlike any other Thai curry in that it pulls flavor from other cultures and cuisines, like India, Malaysia, and Persia.
The spice trade led merchant Sufi Muslims to settle in Southern Thailand in the 9th century, and today, Muslims and Buddhists, along with Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, coexist peacefully. And you can literally taste this rich history within the flavors of this curry.
Massaman curry is wonderfully mellow, warm and earthy, with a subtle sweetness– a harmonious blend of several cultures in one dish.
To me, Massaman exudes the feeling of harmony and peace. Infused with cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and clove, it is warming, comforting and friendly. Think of it as the peaceful curry!
Massaman Curry Recipe Ingredients
Chicken breast: You can also use chicken thighs (see notes), shrimp, crispy tofu, or a mixture of veggies.
Potatoes: Use thin-skinned potatoes like Yukon gold or red potatoes.
Thai red curry paste: For ease we use Maesari Thai red curry paste and enhance it with Massaman spices. You can use absolutely use Massaman curry paste, but it is harder to find. When enhanced with spices, red curry paste works well here!
Coconut oil: Used to bloom the curry paste with the spices. Adds a nutty, subtly sweet taste.
Massaman Spices: Coriander seeds and cumin seeds (toasting these seeds infuses the curry paste with their nutty, fragrant aromas) along with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg -warm and comforting spices that bring the dish to life.
Shallot and ginger: Add punchy, aromatic flavor to the curry paste. You could use onions instead of shallots.
Full fat coconut milk: Gives the curry a creamy texture and rich flavor.
Light brown sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to balance all of the savory, aromatic flavors.
Tamarind puree or paste: Balances the sweetness of the dish with a hint of sour flavor.
Peanut butter (optional): If used, adds an even richer, nutty flavor to the curry.
Garnish: Peanuts, fresh baby spinach, cilantro, limes, finely sliced red chilies, crispy shallots, or peanut crunch.
How to Make Massaman Curry
1. Prep all of the ingredients and arrange them by the stove. Measure the spices, keeping the seeds separate from the ground spices.
2. Parboil the potatoes. Add potatoes to a large pot and cover with cold water. Boil, then simmer 5-7 minutes before draining.
3. Bloom the curry paste. Add coconut oil to a medium pot and bring the heat to medium. Sauté coriander and cumin seeds 2 minutes while stirring, then add shallots and ginger, stirring a minute more. Add cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg, and then the curry.
5. Add remaining ingredients. Add fish sauce, sugar, and tamarind paste. Whisk in the peanut butter. Add sliced chicken breast.
6. Simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, until chicken is opaque. Serve immediately over jasmine rice with desired garnishes.
Massaman Curry Variations
Use chicken thighs: If using chicken thighs instead, add them in step 4 with the potatoes.
Make a seafood curry: Instead of chicken, shrimp makes a nice protein in this Thai curry. You could also sub any type of white fish.
Use tofu: For a vegan or vegetarian option, simply use our Baked tofu or crispy tofu instead of the chicken.
Try a vegetable curry: Or skip the protein and add hearty vegetables like cauliflower, winter squash, zucchini, carrots, baby corn, or peas.
Make vegan massaman curry: Use tofu or veggies instead of the chicken, and use a vegan fish sauce or lite soy sauce instead of the fish sauce.
How to Serve Thai Massaman Curry
Serve Massaman Curry over steamed Jasmine Rice with a handful of baby spinach. Check out our 33+ Easy Thai Recipes for appetizer and salad ideas!
Chef’s Tips
Prep all of your ingredients first. This dish comes together quickly, so it helps to have everything chopped, measured out, and ready to go.
No need for massaman store-bought curry paste. Our method uses spices to transform the red curry into a massaman curry paste. It is fresh and full flavored!
For red curry paste, try Maesri or Mae Ploy. These are our favorite brands!
Adjust curry paste to your heat preference. Start with less, and work your way up depending on your spice tolerance.
Storing Leftover Massaman Curry
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop until warm or reheat in the microwave. To freeze, store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Massaman Curry Recipe FAQs
What is massaman curry vs yellow curry?
Both of these curries originate from Southern Thailand, but they differ in ingredients and flavor. Massaman curry is a fusion of Thai, Malaysian, and Indian curries and uses warm spices, like cinnamon, coriander, and cumin seeds, whereas yellow curry is slightly milder with an emphasis on turmeric.
What is the flavor of Thai Massaman?
Massaman curry is rich and aromatic with mild heat, subtle sweetness, and mellow flavor. Warming spices of cinnamon, cumin and nutmeg infuse the dish.
Is Massaman Curry very spicy?
This curry is considered mild; however, you can adjust the heat based on your preference, adding as much or as little curry paste as you’d like.
Hope you enjoy this Thai Massaman Curry Recipe! Let us know in the comments below.
This Thai massaman curry recipe is easy to make and full of rich, warm, mellow flavor. Make it with your choice of chicken or tofu and potatoes in a lovely spiced curry sauce.
Have everything prepped and ready to go beside the stove. Measure the spices, keeping the whole seeds separate from the ground spices.
Parboil the potatoes. Start with cold water just covering the potatoes. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Drain the water and set aside.
Bloom the curry paste and spices. In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, add coconut oil, and saute the coriander and cumin seeds for 2 minutes, stirring. Add the shallots and fresh ginger, stir a minute and add the cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg along with the curry paste.
Add coconut milk and potatoes. Simmer together for 10 minutes. Potatoes should be fork-tender but not overly soft.
Add fish sauce, sugar, tamarind paste, and whisk in peanut butter. Add the sliced chicken breast.
Simmer for 5 minutes or until the chicken pieces are tender, cooked through and opaque.
Taste the curry and adjust sweetness (sugar), fish sauce (or salt) and acid (tamarind paste) to taste. Find your perfect balance.
If using chicken thighs, add them in with the potatoes in step 4.
You can use Massaman store-bought curry paste if you prefer. But we actually like Red Curry paste, it is easier to find and when enhanced with a few spices it makes the perfect massaman curry paste.
We like Maesri or Mae ploy curry paste brands. Start with less unless you know your spice tolerance with the brand you are using.
Tamarind paste is more concentrated so you may need less. We used 2 tablespoons of GloryBee brand tamarind puree.
To make vegan: use vegan fish sauce or lite soy sauce. Replace chicken with tofu or veggies like: carrots, winter squash, cauliflower, green beans, zucchini and peas.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
