Mix things up with Coconut Red Curry Meatballs for dinner or as a hearty appetizer.
You have to love a recipe that’s both easy and delicious. A coconut milk base is laced with red curry paste, garlic, curry powder, and ground ginger. The result is a creamy sauce, blushing with spices, and a touch of heat. If you prefer a little more kick, feel free to amp up the cayenne pepper. The finishing touches of lime juice and chopped cilantro provide perfect citrus and herb notes.
Easy Button & Homemade Meatball Options
Easy Button – This was a slow cooker recipe using frozen premade meatballs. If you want an easy button option for a weekday meal this is the way to go! Essentially all you have to do is combine the sauce ingredients in a slow cooker. Then add the meatballs and cook on low for 5-6 hours. That’s it!
Homemade Option – I decided to use my Swedish Meatball recipe (omitting the sugar, nutmeg, and allspice) to make my own meatballs. Instead of the Swedish Meatball sauce, I made the Coconut Red Curry Sauce. Then I combined the cooked meatballs and sauce in a slow cooker to serve as an appetizer.
Coconut Red Curry Meatballs
A Delightful Dinner or Appealing Appetizer
A Trivia cocktail party with friends motivated me to give these meatballs a try. I wanted a fun spin on a traditional appetizer and this recipe fit the bill perfectly.
The hubby and I also enjoyed a meal version of these meatballs over fluffy white rice. One of my friends enjoyed her leftover meatballs with egg noodles.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Option – I made my homemade meatballs and the Coconut Red Curry sauce a day ahead and stored them separately in the frig. Then I combined them in the slow cooker and warmed them on high for about an hour. After that, I turned them on low as people grazed on our appetizer buffet.
After the party, I popped the remaining meatballs and sauce into the freezer for a meal down the road. We haven’t eaten those yet. But I’ve always had good luck reheating my frozen Swedish Meatballs gently in my microwave at 50%-60% power.
Note a Cilantro Fan? – Try fresh chopped basil or parsley instead.
Love Meatballs?
Check out these additional meatball recipes, including the Swedish Meatballs which are used for the homemade meatball option.
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Coconut Red Curry Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 13.5 oz. cans coconut milk
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3-4 dozen small precooked frozen meatballs (or see link in post for homemade meatballs)
- 1-2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Hot cooked rice or egg noodles, optional
Instructions
Homemade Meatball Option:
- Make meatballs from Swedish Meatball recipe (link provided in post), omitting the sugar, nutmeg and allspice from the meatballs. Instead of the Swedish Meatball sauce, make the Coconut Red Curry Sauce by combing coconut milk through cayene pepper in a medium sauce pan. Stir and bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Place flour in a small bowl. Ladle 3 to 4 tbsp. of coconut milk mixture from pan into bowl and stir to create a smooth paste. Whisk flour mixture into simmering sauce. Continue to cook for a few minutes, whisking occasionally, until thickened. Add lime juice.
- Combine sauce with baked meatballs and stir to coat. Serve with rice or noodles. Or you can combine the sauce and meatballs and keep them warm in crockpot to serve as an appetizer. Sprinkle meatballs with chopped cilantro or basil to before serving.
Frozen Meatball Option:
- Grease a slow cooker with cooking spray. Add coconut milk through cayenne. Whisk in flour.
- Add meatballs and stir to combine with the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
- Just before serving, stir in lime juice. Serve over hot cooked rice or egg noodles for a meal version or the meatballs on their own for an appetizer. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or basil.
How hot is this sauce? I read that red curry paste is extremely spicy
The one I used had a medium level of heat. I believe they vary by brand. You can also adjust the amount you use to control the heat.