Weeknight dinners don't get easier than this! I whipped up this Thai coconut turkey potato curry when my fridge was nearly empty, and now it's on repeat. Ground turkey cooks quickly, potatoes make it filling, and coconut milk adds that dreamy creaminess-no fancy skills needed.
The best part? One pan, 30 minutes, and you've got a meal that tastes like it simmered all day. Even my picky eater asked for seconds. (Okay, fine, I might have stolen a bite straight from the pan.
⏱ 30-Min Weeknight Meal | 🥚 High-Protein | 🌿 Gluten-Free
Ground turkey is my go-to on busy weeknights. You can turn it into this creamy Thai coconut curry, quick 30-minute Turkish turkey kefta with spiced patties, an easy 20-minute turkey noodle stir-fry, or even simple steamed turkey dumplings. Each one is full of taste and doesn't leave a mountain of dishes behind. If you haven't already, give lean turkey mince a regular spot in your weekly meals-it makes life easier.
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💗 Why You'll Adore This Recipe
- Pantry-friendly - Uses frozen peas and basic spices.
- Meal-prep hero - Tastes even better the next day.
- Customizable - Swap turkey for chicken or veggies.
🥘 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Ground Turkey - Lean and quick-cooking. Brown just until no pink remains to keep it juicy. Swap for chicken or lentils.
- Waxy Potatoes - Yukon Gold or red potatoes hold their shape. Cut into small (½-inch) cubes to cook quickly.
- Aromatics - Onion, garlic, and fresh ginger build the flavour base. Don't rush the sauté-golden onions = sweeter taste.
- Curry Powder + Tomato Paste - Toast briefly with spices to deepen the flavour. Add a splash of stock to prevent burning.
- Coconut Milk - Full-fat for creaminess. Stir in last to keep it silky (don't boil hard).
- Veggies - Zucchini and peas add freshness. Add later to keep the texture bright.
- Shortcut: Use frozen diced onion and ginger paste if in a rush.
- No-fail trick: Simmer uncovered at the end to thicken the sauce perfectly.
♻️ Substitutions
- Turkey → Ground chicken, beef, or lentils (for vegetarians).
- Potatoes → Sweet potatoes or cauliflower.
- Coconut milk → Greek yoghurt for tang (add at the end).
📋 Variations
- Thai green curry - Replace curry powder with 2 tablespoons of green curry paste.
- Extra veggies - Toss in bell peppers or spinach.
- Spicy kick - Add red pepper flakes or fresh chilli.
👩🍳 How To Make Thai Coconut Turkey Potato Curry
This turkey potato curry came together fast and still tasted amazing-perfect for those nights when you just need something quick and easy. You might also like my quick pantry meals for beginners with minimal prep.
Step 1: Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey with a splash of olive oil and cook 5-6 minutes until browned.
Step 2: Transfer the browned turkey mince to a plate for later use.
Step 3: Cook onions until soft, then add garlic and ginger for a minute. Stir in curry powder, tomato paste.
Step 4: Add a splash of stock to form a paste, then stir in the turkey.
Step 5: Add potatoes and toss to coat in spices.
Step 6: Pour in remaining stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
Step 7: Add coconut milk, zucchini, and peas. Simmer uncovered 5 minutes until creamy.
Step 8: Taste and add salt/pepper. Stir in cilantro if using. Serve immediately!
*See the recipe card for detailed instructions.
💭 Expert Tip
Double the sauce in your coconut turkey potato curry! If you love extra gravy (who doesn't?), add ¼ cup more coconut milk and a splash of stock. Perfect for soaking up with rice or naan.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
- Over jasmine rice - Soaks up the sauce. Or pair this ground turkey curry with an easy Turkish bulgur pilaf-the perfect fluffy side dish!
- With naan - For scooping. Or soak up every drop of that creamy coconut curry sauce with pillowy-soft Japanese milk bread rolls-their subtle sweetness balances the bold Thai spices beautifully.
- Topped with cilantro - Freshness boost!
- For a vibrant low-carb contrast, serve your Thai coconut turkey curry with garlicky sautéed green beans-their crisp texture cuts beautifully through the rich, creamy sauce.
These budget-friendly family dinners keep everyone full without breaking the bank-think creamy stews, hearty stir-fries, and easy dumplings. Quick, tasty, and wallet-friendly! Just like these easy asian dinner recipes ready in 30 minutes.
❓Thai Coconut Turkey Potato Curry (30 Min) FAQs
Not a fan of ground turkey? No problem-you can swap it for ground chicken, pork, or beef. That's what I love about recipes like this-they're easy to tweak based on what you like or have on hand. I think ground beef would be delicious here, too. It reminds me a bit of a mild Keema Curry, and I might try it that way next time.
If you don't want to use ground meat at all, diced chicken breast or thighs would work great too.
For curry, I like using waxy or semi-waxy potatoes. They soak up the sauce but still hold their shape, which is perfect for a dish like this. Starchy or floury potatoes tend to break down too quickly and can make the curry too thick.
My go-to is Yukon Golds-they're yellow-fleshed and just the right texture. If you're in the UK, look for Elfe potatoes-they're a great swap. Can't find those? Any waxy potato will work just fine.
There are three main types: regular canned, light canned, and the kind that comes in a carton (usually used as a dairy-free milk alternative).
For curry, I always go with canned-regular is my top pick. It's creamy, rich, and gives the sauce a nice texture without needing a lot. Light coconut milk works too, but it's thinner since it has more water.
I'd skip the carton version for this. It's too watery and won't give you that smooth, creamy sauce you're after.
For this curry, I love serving it with fluffy basmati rice-it's perfect for soaking up all that creamy sauce. In this recipe, I also added cumin seeds for a little extra punch.
If rice usually gives you trouble, try the simple 2:1 method: for every 1 cup of rice, use 2 cups of water. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then add it to a saucepan with the water, a pinch of salt, and the cumin seeds. Bring it to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer without stirring until the water is absorbed. Once that happens, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for 10-12 minutes.
This method works great for any long-grain white rice-basmati, jasmine, or plain white rice.
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📖 Recipe
Thai Coconut Turkey Potato Curry (30 Min) - Easy One-Pot Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra-lean ground turkey
- 12.5 oz waxy potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- ½ tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 tablespoon curry powder medium heat
- 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 zucchini sliced
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until it's browned all over, breaking it up with a spoon as you go. Once it's cooked through, take it out and set it aside.
- Lightly spray the same pan with a bit of oil. Add the diced onion and cook for a few minutes until it's golden and soft-this adds great depth to the dish.
- Next, stir in the crushed garlic and fresh grated ginger. Let them cook for about a minute until they smell amazing.
- Now add the curry powder, tomato paste, and just a splash of chicken stock. Stir it all together to make a thick paste-this helps coat everything nicely without burning.
- Add the cooked turkey back into the pan, along with the cubed potatoes. Toss everything so the meat and potatoes are well coated in the curry mixture.
- Pour in the rest of the chicken stock. Bring it all to a boil, then lower the heat to medium, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. The potatoes should be tender but not falling apart.
- Once that's done, stir in the coconut milk, zucchini, and peas. Let it simmer uncovered until the sauce is creamy and the zucchini is cooked the way you like it. If you want it softer, let it cook a little longer.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you like fresh herbs, stir in some chopped cilantro at the end.
- Serve it hot with rice or on its own-either way, it's super comforting and easy to pull together.
Jaleah says
This coconut curry is incredible! Such a delicious recipe.
Nicole says
This curry is so delicious!! Love that it’s just 30 minutes.
amy liu dong says
This is an easy yet delicious dish to make, and everyone will surely love it. Yumm!
swathi says
Thai turkey and potato curry is so flavorful, I enjoyed a whole bowl of rice with it.
Tisha says
Love a quick recipe that goes together just as plans this recipe was perfect
Jaleah says
This Thai coconut turkey potato curry is such a delicious recipe. 30 minutes is so convenient!
Krystle says
So hearty and flavorful. We love this for when we want a unique but easy weeknight meal.
Lisa says
This was easy, hearty, and delicious. The whole family loved it.
amy liu dong says
This Thai Turkey Potato Curry recipe looks incredibly delicious and comforting. A perfect dish to prepare for a cozy dinner night!
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!