This cozy and comforting Thai Red Curry Dumpling Soup is silky smooth, with bold flavors. It’s the kind of soup you want to cuddle up with on the couch, perfect for weeknight dinners and dinner parties alike.
If you’re craving comfort food and want something a little lighter and packed with flavor, try this easy Thai red curry dumpling soup.
Soup season is all year round for me, which is why we have a lot of soup recipes on the blog. And this is one soup that I personally enjoy all year round. It’s bold, fragrant, and cozy without being too heavy.
A silky coconut broth carries deep flavors of lemongrass, ginger, and red curry paste. Tender dumplings soak up the spice and creaminess, making every spoonful warm and satisfying.
The broth is velvety and light. The dumplings are plump and comforting. And fresh herbs add a crisp, bright finish. It’s colorful, aromatic, and exciting enough to turn a regular dinner into something memorable.
Table of Contents
About Thai red curry
Thai red curry has its roots in Thailand, where the combination of coconut milk, red chilies, and spices creates a signature balance of heat, sweetness, and richness.
Dumplings are not traditional in Thai soups, but blending the two brings together Thai flavors with the fun, comforting bite of Asian-style dumplings.
The result is a dish that feels familiar yet super fresh. And, of course, oh so delicious.
Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!
- rich, spicy, creamy broth that feels both indulgent and nourishing
- dumplings that make it hearty enough for a full meal
- one pot cooking means less cleanup
- versatile recipe that works with chicken, pork, shrimp, or veggie dumplings
- easy to make vegetarian or vegan
- ready in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
Ingredient notes
You can usually find all of these ingredients at any local grocery store in the US.
- red curry paste: the base of flavor. I use Thai Kitchen brand red curry paste, which is easier to find around the US.
- coconut milk: full-fat creates the richest, silkiest broth.
- broth or stock: broth or stock keeps the soup balanced and light. Use vegetable stock to keep this dish vegetarian or vegan.
- dumplings: use frozen or try our pork and shrimp wontons recipe. Use vegetable dumplings to keep the dish vegetarian or vegan.
- vegetables: we keep it simple with spinach, but you can use bell peppers, mushrooms, or baby bok choy to add freshness and color.
- herbs & aromatics: you can use less onions and garlic if you prefer, but I love the zing both add to this soup. Cilantro and scallions give a bright, cooling finish. You can use Thai basil or mint if you prefer.
- lime: a squeeze at the end lifts and balances the richness with bright acidity.
Step-by-step instructions
You’ll find the full list of ingredients along with measurements, and more detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are some step-by-step photos to show you how easy it is to make this Thai soup at home.
- Start by sautéing the garlic and onions.
- Add the red curry paste.
- Add the broth.
4. Add the cream, then add the dumplings, and cook for 4-8 minutes.
5. Add the spinach and lime juice.
6. Finish with the herbs.
Marlynn’s Tip
Recipe Tip
If you’re using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it first, and then gently soak up excess liquid with paper towels before adding it to the soup. This helps prevent the soup from getting too liquidy and breaking the soup.
Recipe FAQs
It depends on the curry paste you use. I prefer to use a mild curry paste. You can add less paste or a splash of coconut milk to mellow it.
Absolutely! Frozen dumplings are a quick and easy shortcut, but homemade dumplings like our pork and shrimp wontons work well in this soup, too.
The broth can be made in advance, but add dumplings right before serving so they don’t get soggy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The dumplings start to soak up the liquid and get soggy the longer they sit together.
Serving suggestions
This soup is delicious on its own as a full meal. It’s the kind of dish that is fancy enough to serve at dinner parties but easy to make and simple enough for any busy weeknight dinner.
Serve it with Instant Pot basmati rice for extra comfort or a crisp cucumber dill salad for contrast.
It also pairs well with shrimp summer rolls or vegan summer rolls, mango avocado prawn salad, or a bowl of simple chili garlic noodles.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
A glass of wine with this comforting Thai soup, a cozy couch, a good read and you’ve got the makings of a sweet evening.
Gewürztraminer: its aromatic, slightly sweet profile balances the spice and creaminess.
Riesling Kabinett: the lively acidity and touch of sweetness refresh the palate between bites.
More Thai recipes
Asian Recipes
Thai Beef Noodle Salad
Asian Recipes
21+ Delicious Recipes to Celebrate Lunar New Year
Thai recipes
Thai Fried Bananas Dessert
Thailand
Most Popular Thai Dishes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Thai Red Curry Dumpling Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Thai red curry paste*
- 3 cups vegetable broth, or chicken broth
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) coconut milk
- 1 pound frozen dumplings
- 1 cup frozen spinach
- juice from one lime
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 scallions, sliced
Instructions
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onions and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, just until softened and fragrant.
- Add Thai red curry paste, stir with onions and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Increase heat to medium-high then pour in the chicken broth and coconut milk.
- Bring the liquid to a boil. Then lower the heat to low-medium to simmer.
- Add the dumplings and cook according to package directions, usually between 4 an 8 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add the spinach plus a squeeze of lime juice.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Follow on Instagram
