Malay Curry Paste

Unleash the bold, aromatic flavors of Southeast Asia with this authentic Malay Curry Paste recipe! Crafted from a vibrant blend of dried red chilies, tangy shallots, fragrant lemongrass, and freshly grated ginger, this homemade paste is elevated with earthy spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric, and a touch of umami-packed shrimp paste. Perfectly versatile and easy to make, this quick 15-minute recipe is your go-to base for Malay-inspired curries, marinades, or stir-fries. With just a few pantry staples and a food processor, you’ll create a deeply flavorful paste that’s rich, aromatic, and freezer-friendly for convenient future meals. Make this essential curry paste a staple in your kitchen for an authentic Malaysian culinary touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 10 pieces dried red chilies
• 6 medium shallots
• 4 pieces garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger
• 1 piece lemongrass stalk
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon shrimp paste
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

Step 1

Soak the dried red chilies in warm water for 10 minutes or until softened. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Peel the shallots and garlic cloves. Roughly chop them along with the softened red chilies.

Step 3

Peel and grate the ginger. Trim and finely chop the lemongrass stalk, using only the tender white part.

Step 4

In a food processor or blender, combine the chopped red chilies, shallots, garlic cloves, grated ginger, and chopped lemongrass. Add the ground coriander, ground cumin, ground turmeric, and shrimp paste.

Step 5

Blend the ingredients into a smooth paste, adding 2 tablespoons of water to help the blending process if needed.

Step 6

Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the curry paste and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly darkened in color.

Step 7

Allow the paste to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	436.1 grams (436.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	735

Total Fat 45.10g	58%
Saturated Fat 6.50g	33%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 18mg	6%
Sodium 651mg	28%
Total Carbohydrate 82.80g	30%
Dietary Fiber 15.00g	54%
Total Sugars 20.30g
Protein 14.20g	28%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 235mg	18%
Iron 15mg	81%
Potassium 1361mg	29%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.1%

Protein: 7.2%

Carbs: 41.7%