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Green Banana Curry

Papua New Guinea green banana curry recipe: starchy green bananas simmered in coconut milk with turmeric until meltingly tender. A hearty, budget-friendly meal.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 LunchCategory
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Green Banana Curry

Bananas grow everywhere in Papua New Guinea, and the green ones are a staple vegetable rather than a fruit. Cooked like potatoes, they are simmered in coconut milk until they turn creamy and mild, absorbing every bit of the fragrant golden sauce. It is everyday food that villages and towns both swear by.

What makes green banana curry great is its gentle heartiness. The bananas become soft and silky, almost like a very sturdy potato, while the turmeric-tinted coconut sauce is savory and comforting. It is naturally vegetarian, inexpensive, and deeply satisfying with rice or sago.

See where this dish fits among the world’s curries: World of Curries guide.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Peel the green bananas and cut them into thick rounds, keeping them in a bowl of water to prevent browning.
  2. In a pot, cook the onion in a little coconut milk until soft, about 4 minutes, then add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, and chili.
  3. Add the banana pieces, coconut milk, coconut cream, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes until the bananas are tender and the sauce has thickened.
  5. Stir in the lime juice and serve hot over rice.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Oil your hands or wear gloves when peeling green bananas, because the sap is sticky and hard to wash off. Simmer gently so the banana pieces keep their shape.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryLunch
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

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