Gaeng Kari Pla (Thai Yellow Curry with Cod, Aubergine and Green Beans)
Flaky cod simmered gently in a golden coconut sauce with soft aubergine, crisp green beans and kaffir lime leaves.
Made with Thai yellow curry paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.88 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Cook the jasmine rice following the packet instructions.
12 min - 2
Heat the oil in a wide pan. Add the aubergine and fry for 5 minutes, turning, until it starts to colour.
5 min - 3
Add your ready made Thai yellow curry paste (see the base recipe) and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
1 min 30 s - 4
Pour in the coconut milk and water, add the lime leaves, fish sauce and palm sugar. Simmer for 8 minutes until the aubergine is soft.
8 min - 5
Add the green beans, then nestle in the cod. Cover and cook gently for 5 to 6 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. Do not stir hard or it will break up.
6 min - 6
Add the lime juice and taste for salt and sweetness.
- 7
Serve over the rice with coriander on top.
Tips
- Keep the simmer gentle once the fish goes in. A hard boil will break the fillets up.
- Frying the aubergine first stops it soaking up too much of the sauce and turning mushy.
- Firm white fish such as haddock, pollock or hake also works well.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. Freezing is not recommended as the fish turns watery.
Questions
Can I use frozen cod?
Yes. Defrost it fully in the fridge overnight and pat it dry before cooking so it does not water down the sauce.
Where do I find kaffir lime leaves?
Most supermarkets sell them fresh or frozen in the herb or world food aisle. Freeze extra leaves. Use the zest of one lime if you cannot find them.
Is it suitable for coeliacs?
Yes, if the curry paste, fish sauce and any stock are gluten free. The homemade paste and the gluten free fish sauce named here are.
More made with thai yellow curry paste
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.