Green Thai Curry with Beef: Gaeng Khiao Wan Nuea
Green curry with beef, also known as "Gaeng Khiau Wan Nuea" (แกงเขียวหวานเนื้อ), is one of the most popular Thai curries. With tender pieces of beef, aromatic Thai eggplants, and fresh Thai basil, it makes for a spicy yet creamy dish that pairs perfectly with jasmine rice.
If you can't find Thai eggplants, you can exceptionally use regular small eggplants. The most important thing is to fry the curry paste well to fully release its aroma.
Ingredients for 4 servings Green Thai Curry with Beef
A classic Thai curry that is easy to prepare, even for beginners.
Just follow my cooking instructions.
| Beef sirloin steak | 400 g |
| Green curry paste | 2 tbsp |
| Coconut milk | 600 ml |
| Green Thai pea eggplants | 100 g |
| Medium-sized green Thai eggplants | 100 g |
| Green runner beans | 100 g |
| Palm sugar | 1 tsp |
| Fish sauce | 2 tbsp |
| Thai basil (Horapa) | 3–4 sprigs |
| Vegetable oil | 2 tbsp |
Preparation
- Cut the beef steaks into bite-sized pieces.
- Trim the green beans and cut them into two or three pieces each.
- Sear the meat in a wok or large pan with a little oil over high heat until it reaches your desired doneness (from rare to almost well-done).
- Remove the meat from the wok and set aside.
- Sauté the green curry paste in the same wok over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it becomes fragrant.
- Deglaze with half of the coconut milk and stir thoroughly.
- Add the palm sugar and fish sauce, and let it simmer over medium heat.
- After a few minutes, add the runner beans and pea eggplants.
- Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. In the meantime, pluck the basil leaves and quarter the larger Thai eggplants. Place the eggplant pieces in cold water so they don't turn brown.
- Add the eggplant pieces and about a quarter of the basil leaves to the curry and mix thoroughly.
- Add the rest of the coconut milk. If necessary, add a little water so that the vegetables are covered.
- Let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Add the prepared meat and continue to cook only briefly so that the meat gets hot again but does not become tough.
- Turn off the heat, fold in the remaining Thai basil leaves, and let them steep briefly.
- Serve the finished Gaeng Khiau Wan Nuea piping hot together with jasmine rice and an ice-cold Thai beer.