Red Curry Paste vs Sambal Oelek
A side-by-side guide to substituting Sambal Oelek for Red Curry Paste (or vice versa).
Use 0.75 tbsp of Sambal Oelek for every 1 tbsp of Red Curry Paste.
Side-by-side
Sambal Oelek
Conversion: Use 75% as much (0.75 tbsp per 1 tbsp)
Tags: commonbudget
Notes: Pure chili heat with less aromatic complexity; use about three-quarters the amount. Works well in soups and stir-fries; add garlic and lime for depth.
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Open calculator →When to use Sambal Oelek instead of Red Curry Paste
Pure chili heat with less aromatic complexity; use about three-quarters the amount. Works well in soups and stir-fries; add garlic and lime for depth. The conversion is use 75% as much (0.75 tbsp per 1 tbsp).
Common questions
Yes — Pure chili heat with less aromatic complexity; use about three-quarters the amount. Works well in soups and stir-fries; add garlic and lime for depth. Ratio: Use 75% as much (0.75 tbsp per 1 tbsp).
Use 75% as much (0.75 tbsp per 1 tbsp). For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.
They are similar in most uses, but Pure chili heat with less aromatic complexity; use about three-quarters the amount..
Sambal Oelek is one of the options SubSwap lists for Red Curry Paste. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Red Curry Paste substitutes.
Looking for more Red Curry Paste substitutes beyond Sambal Oelek?
See all Red Curry Paste swaps →