How Many Calories Are in Red Curry Paste? A Detailed Nutritional Breakdown

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

A single tablespoon of red curry paste typically contains a surprisingly low number of calories, ranging from just 10 to 30 depending on the specific brand and its ingredients. This makes red curry paste a potent, low-calorie flavor base, providing a depth of flavor without a significant caloric impact on your meal.

Quick Summary

Red curry paste is generally low in calories per serving, though nutritional content varies between brands like Thai Kitchen and Mae Ploy. Calories are primarily from carbohydrates and trace fats. The overall healthiness of a curry dish depends on high-calorie additions like coconut milk.

Key Points

Low Calorie Per Serving: A single tablespoon of red curry paste typically contains only 10 to 30 calories, making it a low-calorie flavor base.
Brand Variations: The specific calorie count can vary significantly between brands, influenced by added oils, sugars, and manufacturing processes.
Health Benefits: Key ingredients like chilies, garlic, and galangal offer potential health benefits, including metabolism-boosting and antioxidant properties.
Sodium Content: Some commercial curry pastes can be high in sodium, so those on low-sodium diets should check the label and consider making a homemade version.
Keto-Friendly Potential: Many red curry pastes are suitable for a keto diet due to their low carbohydrate content, especially when paired with low-carb ingredients like light coconut milk and cauliflower rice.
Customization for Healthy Meals: The biggest factor in a curry's caloric content is the other ingredients, so choosing light coconut milk, lean proteins, and extra vegetables helps keep it healthy.

Understanding the Caloric Content of Red Curry Paste

Red curry paste is a vibrant, aromatic cornerstone of Thai cuisine, known for its complex blend of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors. For home cooks and those monitoring their diet, understanding the nutritional profile of this key ingredient is essential. The good news is that on its own, red curry paste is a very low-calorie seasoning. Its concentrated nature means only a small amount is needed to add immense flavor, minimizing its contribution to your meal's total caloric intake. The primary caloric differences between brands stem from variations in recipe and added oil or sugar.

Factors Influencing Calorie Count

Several factors can cause slight variations in the calorie count of red curry paste across different brands. These include:

Ingredients: The core ingredients—chilies, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, and herbs—are naturally low in calories. However, some recipes may include small amounts of sugar or oil, which can increase the overall caloric density.
Manufacturing Process: The process of grinding and blending can affect the consistency, but commercially prepared pastes are mostly standardized. The inclusion of stabilizers or preservatives in some brands can alter the final nutritional figures.
Serving Size: While one tablespoon is a standard measure, some manufacturers list nutrition facts for smaller (e.g., 1-2 tsp) or larger serving sizes, which can be misleading if not read carefully. Always check the serving size listed on the label.

A Comparison of Popular Red Curry Paste Brands

To illustrate the variance, here is a comparison table of nutritional information for common brands based on the search results. Note that figures may vary slightly depending on product size and country of origin.


Brand	Serving Size	Calories	Sodium	Carbohydrates	Total Fat
Thai Kitchen	1 tbsp (16g)	10	330mg	3g	0g
Mae Ploy	2 tsp (approx. 10g)	15	570mg	2g	0g
Ayam	16g	32	389mg	4.2g	1.4g
Tesco	1/4 jar (approx. 50g)	26	600mg	4.5g	0.4g

Note: The serving sizes vary, so it's crucial to look at the per-serving amount to make an accurate comparison. Mae Ploy's lower calorie count per serving is partly due to the smaller portion listed.

Beyond Calories: A Look at Health Benefits

While red curry paste is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals, the ingredients themselves offer various health benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Metabolism Boost: The capsaicin found in red chili peppers can help increase metabolism and burn calories.
Antioxidant Properties: Garlic and shallots are rich in antioxidants, which combat free radicals and protect against cell damage.
Digestive Health: Ingredients like galangal and lemongrass have traditionally been used to aid digestion and reduce inflammation.
Immune Support: Garlic is a well-known immune-boosting ingredient, contributing to the paste's overall health-promoting properties.

Making a Healthier Red Curry at Home

Since red curry paste itself is low-calorie, the major caloric additions typically come from other ingredients used in the dish, especially coconut milk. To create a lighter curry, consider these tips:

Use light coconut milk or a mix of regular and light for a creamier texture with fewer calories.
Substitute some coconut milk with vegetable broth to reduce fat and calories further while maintaining liquid volume.
Fill your curry with plenty of non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms to boost fiber and nutrient content.
Opt for lean protein sources such as chicken breast, fish, or tofu.
Serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional jasmine rice to significantly lower the carb count.

Red Curry Paste and Special Diets

For those on specific dietary plans, red curry paste can often be a great addition, but certain considerations apply.

Keto Diet: Many red curry pastes are keto-friendly, especially if they have minimal added sugar. The total carbs per tablespoon are low, but it's important to read the label. To make a keto red curry, use unsweetened coconut milk and serve with cauliflower rice.
Low-Sodium Diet: Some commercial pastes, particularly certain Mae Ploy products, are very high in sodium. For those watching their salt intake, it's crucial to check the nutrition label and consider making a homemade version to control sodium levels.
Vegan/Vegetarian: Most red curry pastes contain shrimp paste or fish sauce. However, many brands offer vegan versions, and it's also simple to make a delicious vegan paste from scratch.

The Final Takeaway

In conclusion, red curry paste is a calorie-efficient way to add powerful flavor to your meals. By being mindful of the brand and serving size, as well as the other ingredients used in your recipe, you can easily incorporate it into a balanced and healthy diet. Its health benefits from fresh herbs and spices further cement its place as a nutritious culinary secret. For more detailed nutritional information on ingredients, you can explore resources like Nutritionix.

Frequently Asked Questions

A tablespoon of red curry paste usually contains between 10 and 30 calories, depending on the brand. For example, Thai Kitchen reports 10 calories per tablespoon, while Ayam lists 32 calories.

Yes, red curry paste can be part of a healthy diet. Its base ingredients like chili, garlic, and lemongrass contain antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. The overall healthiness depends on the other ingredients in your final curry dish.

Some commercial brands of red curry paste can be very high in sodium. For instance, Mae Ploy has a high sodium content. It is important to check the nutrition label for sodium levels, especially if you are on a low-sodium diet.

Yes, most red curry pastes are keto-friendly, provided they do not have excessive added sugar. The carbohydrate count per serving is typically low. It is crucial to use unsweetened coconut milk and other low-carb ingredients for the full dish.

Most brands contain very little to no fat per serving, but this can vary. Some brands may include oil, which will add a minimal amount of fat. Always check the specific nutrition label for accurate information.

Yes, making red curry paste from scratch allows you to have full control over the ingredients, including the amount of oil, salt, and any other additives. This is ideal for managing specific dietary needs like low-sodium or keto.

To reduce the calories in a full curry dish, use light coconut milk or a mix of coconut milk and vegetable broth. Incorporate lean proteins and plenty of non-starchy vegetables. Serving with cauliflower rice instead of jasmine rice also significantly lowers calories.

Both red and green curry pastes are generally low in calories per serving, as they are based on similar aromatic ingredients. Any differences are likely due to variations in specific recipes and brand formulations rather than the type of chili used.