Thai-Inspired Red Curry: compare the 2 variations

Time, effort, key ingredients, diets, nutrition and cleanup side by side, so you can pick the one that fits tonight.

Which should I make?

  • Lightest Shrimp & VegetableAbout 390 calories a serving, against 610 calories for the other (an estimate).
  • Least cleanup Shrimp & VegetableOne thing to wash: Dutch oven.
  • Make it ahead ChickenSlice the chicken and vegetables up to 1 day ahead and keep them in separate containers in the fridge.

Side by side

ChickenShrimp & Vegetable
Total time33 min37 min
Prep15 min15 min
LevelEasyEasy
Steps88
Serves44
Key ingredientscoconut milk, boneless skinless chicken thighs and red bell peppercoconut milk, broccoli florets and large shrimp
Only in this oneboneless skinless chicken thighs, snap peas and fresh basil leavesonion, fresh ginger, vegetable broth and sweet potato
DietaryGluten-FreeKeto / Low-CarbDairy-FreeHigh-ProteinGluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh-Protein
Calories610390
Protein33 g27 g
Carbs12 g19 g
Fat50 g25 g
Cleanup4/5 2 things to wash5/5 1 thing to wash
Kid helperNoNo

Nutrition is per serving. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Dietary: Based on the ingredient list and estimated nutrition; check labels; not medical advice. Cleanup score: 5 means one thing to wash, 1 means six or more. We count pots, pans, bowls and appliances, not the knife, board and spoons.

How we pick

  • Fastest: the shortest total time, at least 10 minutes ahead of the next.
  • Easiest: the lowest level (easy, medium, hard), then at least 2 fewer steps.
  • Lightest: the fewest estimated calories a serving, at least 15% and 40 calories under the next (only when two or more have an estimate).
  • Kid helper: the variation where a child can do the biggest share of the steps (no knife, no heat), when that's not all of them equally.
  • Least cleanup: the best cleanup score, a point ahead of the next.
  • Make it ahead: the only variation whose notes say how to make it ahead.
  • Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free: the variation that fits a diet the others don't, from the ingredient lines.

A pick needs a clear winner; close calls are left out.

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