How to Thicken Curry

Co-authored by Ed Kuoha

Last Updated: May 15, 2022

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Food

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]
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- 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
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]
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- 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
Mash the potatoes already in your curry.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Ed Kuoha
Chef
Expert Interview. 9 November 2021.} 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

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]
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- 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
Use flour and cooking fat.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Ed Kuoha
Chef
Expert Interview. 9 November 2021.} 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]
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- You can add in a bit more flour if your curry doesn't thicken the first time.
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

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]
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- Keep the curry uncovered while it simmers.
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]
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- 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
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.

Community Q&A

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.
Question

How do I make chicken curry with thick gravy?

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.