The Best Thai Yellow Curry Sauce You Can Buy at the Grocery Store

When it’s combined with a protein and some vegetables, the best yellow curry sauce at the grocery store is a dead ringer for what you’ll get in a plastic container from your favorite local Thai restaurant. In case you’re not famils, yellow curry sauce is a creamy or brothy sauce made with yellow curry paste, which is made with a bunch of flavorful and aromatic spices like turmeric, galangal, cardamom, cumin, garlic, lemongrass, and more. 

So what are we looking for in a good yellow curry sauce in a jar (or pouch)? In a word, balance. It shouldn’t be too salty (so, so many are too salty) and one spice shouldn’t overpower all the others. We found some good options and one great option. Seriously, the best yellow curry on this list is better than curries I’ve had at a lot of restaurants. The next time you’re in the mood for takeout but don’t feel like spending $60 on a meal for two, check out this list of the best yellow curry sauce at the grocery store.


best yellow curry

Best for Dipping

Trader Joe’s Thai Style Yellow Curry Sauce

You know it. You love it. It’s Trader Joe’s Thai Style Yellow Curry Sauce. I’m pretty sure this is intended to be used as a simmer sauce, but, in my opinion, it’s a little too salty for that use case. Instead, use this as a dipping sauce for chicken skewers (maybe chicken satay if you don’t do peanut sauce) or grilled shrimp so you can control how much sauce you get with each bite. It’s creamy, it has a lot of bold curry flavor, and it’s cheap as hell. It may not be the best yellow curry sauce out there, but it’s definitely a sauce that’s worth having on hand in the door of your fridge.

Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

best yellow curry sauce

Best of the Best

Blue Elephant Thai Premium Curry Sauce Yellow Curry

This yellow curry sauce absolutely rules. It’s not just restaurant quality—it’s better than what you’ll get at some restaurants. It’s extremely creamy and has an incredible depth of flavor, thanks to the addition of shrimp paste and fish sauce (not to mention every single spice imaginable). Serve this with shrimp. Trust me. The package shouts out “Master Chef Nooror Somany,” and I agree that she deserves major props! It’s the best yellow curry sauce we tried by a mile. 

Credit: Merc / Vons

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other products we tried: Brooklyn Delhi Golden Coconut Curry Sauce, Yai’s Thai Yellow Thai Curry

What’s your favorite yellow curry sauce? Tell us in the comments!


About the Author

Gwynedd Stuart

Gwynedd Stuart, Sporked’s managing editor, is an L.A.-based writer and editor who spends way, way too much time at the grocery store. She’s never met an Old El Paso taco or mozzarella stick she didn’t like.

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  • You can never beat making your own. Way cheaper and so delicious

    Reply
  • Have you done Sweet and sour sauces? It seems like you haven’t

    Reply