How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (2024)

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Remedy a thin curry with these simple kitchen hacks

Co-authored byEd Kuoha

Last Updated: December 13, 2023

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  • Using Food
  • |
  • Using Flours and Powders
  • |
  • Simmering the Curry
  • |
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It can be frustrating to make a tantalizing curry only to have the sauce turn out watery. Luckily, there are many quick and simple fixes for a thin curry. You can use foods like yogurt to get the curry to thicken. You can also add flour or corn starch. Simmering the curry for a few extra minutes can also get it reach the right consistency.

Things You Should Know

  • Mix in a spoonful of either unflavored yogurt or tomato paste to thicken your curry with additional ingredients. Or, mash the potatoes in your curry to release their starch.
  • Or, mix 1 tbsp (7.5 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water in a small dish to create a slurry. Then, mix the slurry into your curry.
  • Alternatively, make a slurry with 2 tbsp (15 g) of flour and 2 tbsp (30 g) of softened butter, and mix it into the curry.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Food

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  1. 1

    Mix in unflavored yogurt. A thick yogurt, like Greek yogurt, works best. Simply add a small amount of yogurt, like a spoonful, at a time. Stir your yogurt into the curry and keep adding a little more at a time until it reaches your desired thickness.[1]

    • This is great for Indian-style curries as a cream substitute. It can also come in handy if your curry is a little spicier than you would like, as it can cool your curry down.
  2. How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (5)

    2

    Try tomato paste or puree. This works best for curries that are already tomato-based, as it won't affect the flavor too much. Tomato puree is usually thicker than paste and has a slightly stronger flavor. Mix in a small amount of tomato puree or paste into the curry. Add a little at a time until the curry gets as thick as you want.[2]

    • If you don't have puree or paste, you can try diced tomatoes.
    • For best results, add tomatoes or tomato puree during the cooking process rather than after.

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  3. 3

    Mash the potatoes already in your curry.[3] If you're cooking with potatoes, try mashing them after the curry is cooked. This is a simple way to thicken the curry without potentially damaging or diluting the flavor. Sometimes, a few mashed potatoes can make for a thicker curry.[4]

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Flours and Powders

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  1. How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (8)

    1

    Try cornstarch. If you have some cornstarch on hand in your kitchen, mix a tablespoon (15 mL) of cornstarch with a tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Mix this into your curry while it's boiling to get it to thicken.[5]

    • If necessary, you can add a bit more water and cornstarch if your curry doesn't thicken with one tablespoon (15 mL) of each.
  2. How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (9)

    2

    Use flour and cooking fat.[6] Two tablespoons of flour (30 mL) mixed with two tablespoons (30 mL) of a cooking fat like butter can thicken curry. Remove a cup of curry (240 mL) and mix it with your flour and cooking fat mixture. Return the curry to the main pot and mix it in to thicken your curry.[7]

    • You can add in a bit more flour if your curry doesn't thicken the first time.
  3. How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (10)

    3

    Add arrowroot. Arrowroot thickens curry just like cornstarch. Add a tablespoon (15 mL) of arrowroot to your curry and then mix it in. If your curry doesn't thicken, add a little bit more at a time until you get the right consistency.[8]

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Simmering the Curry

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  1. 1

    Reduce the heat. If your curry doesn't adequately thicken during the normal cooking time, switch the heat to a simmer. Let the curry simmer over the heat while you keep an eye on it.[9]

    • Keep the curry uncovered while it simmers.
  2. 2

    Let the curry simmer until it reduces. As the curry simmers, you can expect it to reduce. Stir the curry as it reduces to test the thickness. Let the curry reduce until it's as thick as you want.[10]

    • Time varies greatly depending on the type of curry, so keep an eye on your curry as it thickens. It may reduce in a few minutes or it may need 10 to 20 minutes to thicken.
  3. How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (14)

    3

    Add water if your curry gets too thick. Sometimes, curry can reduce too much when simmering. This may result in a curry that's too thick. Simply add a little bit of water at a time in this case until your curry gets to the right consistency.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question

    How can I thicken curry without cornstarch?

    Ed Kuoha
    Chef

    Ed Kuoha is a Chef and the Owner of Kuoha Culinary based in Aiea, Hawaii. He has more than 20 years of experience in various culinary kitchens and settings such as Morimoto Waikiki, where he received hands-on training from Iron Chef Morimoto. Chef Ed specializes in small catering events and private chef requests. He holds an Associate’s degree from The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College.

    Ed Kuoha

    Chef

    Expert Answer

    Well, you can add flour and butter or flour and water to make a slurry. Another option is to use potato starch and water if you want a gluten-free alternative.

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    How do I make chicken curry with thick gravy?

    How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (17)

    Diluted Potato

    Community Answer

    Start off with frying a few onions and tomato paste in a frying pan. Then add spices: chili powder, turmeric powder, etc. Then add the chicken and water. To make the curry thicker, add a little bit of flour at a time until the consistency is to your liking.

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      About This Article

      How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (19)

      Co-authored by:

      Ed Kuoha

      Chef

      This article was co-authored by Ed Kuoha. Ed Kuoha is a Chef and the Owner of Kuoha Culinary based in Aiea, Hawaii. He has more than 20 years of experience in various culinary kitchens and settings such as Morimoto Waikiki, where he received hands-on training from Iron Chef Morimoto. Chef Ed specializes in small catering events and private chef requests. He holds an Associate’s degree from The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College. This article has been viewed 285,464 times.

      4 votes - 50%

      Co-authors: 6

      Updated: December 13, 2023

      Views:285,464

      Categories: Indian Cuisine | Basic Cooking Skills

      Article SummaryX

      If your curry is too runny, there are a few simple ways to thicken it. Try mixing in a few spoonfuls of thick, unflavored yogurt. If your curry is tomato-based, you can use tomato paste as a thickener. For curries with potatoes in them, simply mash a few of the potatoes as they cook and combine them into the sauce. A spoonful of arrowroot or equal parts cornstarch and water will also do the trick. Another option is to combine a couple of spoonfuls of flour with an equal amount of cooking fat, such as butter, to keep the flour from clumping up in the sauce. Spoon out about 1 cup (237 mL) of curry sauce into a separate container, mix the flour and fat mixture into it, and stir it back into the rest of the curry. Your curry will also thicken as it cooks, so try reducing the heat to low and letting it simmer for a few more minutes at the end of the regular cooking time. Keep reading how to use flour or cornstarch to thicken your curry!

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      How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways (2024)

      FAQs

      How to Thicken Curry: 7 Easy Ways? ›

      Mix in a spoonful of either unflavored yogurt or tomato paste to thicken your curry with additional ingredients. Or, mash the potatoes in your curry to release their starch. Or, mix 1 tbsp (7.5 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water in a small dish to create a slurry. Then, mix the slurry into your curry.

      How to thicken a curry quickly? ›

      How to Thicken Curry
      1. Add dairy. Many curry sauces have a creamy texture, so try adding more dairy—like Greek yogurt, heavy cream, or a thick non-dairy ingredient like coconut cream—to thicken a watery curry sauce.
      2. Add ground nuts. ...
      3. Add lentils. ...
      4. Add peanut butter. ...
      5. Add a tomato product. ...
      6. Start with a roux. ...
      7. Use a slurry.
      Jan 20, 2022

      Why didn't my curry thicken? ›

      Curry will not thicken if there is not enough heat after adding a roux to the pot. Factors which impede thickening include using too little roux, adding too much water, and using vegetables with a high water content.

      How to thicken a coconut milk-based sauce? ›

      The best and easiest option is corn starch . You add 1 Tb per 1 cup of liquid you are using ( coconut milk in this case ) And you mix it with 1 Tb of cold water, and then add it to your sauce before boiling. However, cornstarch is tasteless, and if you don't have problems with gluten I would suggest wheat flour.

      How to thicken up curry goats? ›

      One option is to remove some of the meat and blend it into a smooth paste before returning it to the curry. This will naturally thicken the sauce. Alternatively, you can create a thickener by mixing equal parts cornflour and water, then stirring it into the simmering curry.

      Does simmering thicken sauce? ›

      How do you make a sauce thicker? The easiest way to thicken a sauce is by reducing the amount of liquid. This can be done by simmering your sauce or bringing it to a full boil—do this uncovered, so the steam can escape.

      How to thicken dahl? ›

      You can easily thicken the dal by simmering it a bit more (uncovered, of course), or thin it out a bit with some extra water. If you'd like to make it smoother (and the dal is already completely tender), just whisk it a few times. Some recipes tell you to puree the dal in a blender, but I rarely do so.

      Why is my curry always watery? ›

      It depends on the type of curry you are making. Curry becomes runny if it has more water content, so cook it for few more minutes to let the water evaporate and curry turns thick(this also turns flavors stronger). Also make sure not to overcook the curry. If it is more runny usually I add 1 tablespoon of besan flour.

      What is the thickening agent in curry? ›

      Tomato puree/ paste

      Adding tomato puree is probably the most common method of thickening curry sauces. Simply add the tomato puree during the cooking process rather than adding it at the end. This will help to thicken your curry or pasta sauce from the beginning, speeding up the cooking time.

      Can I add plain flour to thicken curry? ›

      You can use foods like yogurt to get the curry to thicken. You can also add flour or corn starch. Simmering the curry for a few extra minutes can also get it reach the right consistency.

      How thick should Thai curry be? ›

      Thai curries should not be thick, even if it is considered thick to Thai people, they are still quite runny like soup. If you can slurp your curry, that's a great sign that it's authentic.

      How to thicken a slow cooker curry? ›

      Add a thickening agent

      Some common options include cornstarch, flour, or arrowroot powder. Mix the agent with some water or broth before adding it to the slow cooker towards the end of the cooking time. This will help prevent clumping and ensure an evenly thickened sauce.

      Will whisking coconut milk thicken it? ›

      Coconut cream will begin to thicken. Add powdered sugar to taste and vanilla extract. Continue whisking on medium speed for 1-2 minutes, or until coconut cream is to your desired consistency. If the whipping cream is not as thick as you would like, refrigerate it for a few hours to help thicken it up.

      Does baking soda thicken curry? ›

      No, you can't substitute baking soda for cornstarch. Cornstarch is a thickening agent. Baking soda is not.

      How do you thicken golden curry mix? ›

      For each cup of liquid, you want to thicken, start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and mix equal amount of cold liquid and stir until smooth paste forms. Then, whisk the slurry into the hot, simmering liquid that you want to thicken. Bring to a boil and simmer until any starchy taste has been cooked away.

      How do you thicken pork curry? ›

      If your sauce is not thick enough after cooking, add a tablespoon of plain flour and stir though until thickened.

      How to thicken up slow cooker curry? ›

      Add a thickening agent

      Some common options include cornstarch, flour, or arrowroot powder. Mix the agent with some water or broth before adding it to the slow cooker towards the end of the cooking time. This will help prevent clumping and ensure an evenly thickened sauce.

      How to reduce the heat in a curry? ›

      Top five ways to make a curry or chilli less spicy
      1. More vegetables. ...
      2. Coconut milk or cream. ...
      3. Lemon, lime or vinegar. ...
      4. Yogurt or soured cream. ...
      5. Sugar or ketchup.
      Dec 21, 2020

      How to bulk out a curry? ›

      Make curries go further by adding pulses like chickpeas and yellow split peas. Not only will it bulk out the meal, but pulses are great sources of protein and fibre which will give your dish a nutritional boost.

      How to fix split curry? ›

      Try stirring some cornflour mixed in water into it, then simmer for a couple of minutes. It's worked for me.

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