Pad Prik King (Green Bean Stir-Fry)

Pad prik king puts prik king curry paste, made from dried chilies and galangal, to work with no coconut milk in sight. It is a dish from central Thailand that shows up at family dinners and temple festivals alike, most often made with green beans and whatever protein is on hand. Because the paste carries all the flavor, it is one of the quickest Thai dishes to pull together.

Bright, bold, and done in a flash

The green beans stay snappy and sweet, coated in a concentrated curry sauce that is salty, slightly sweet, and warmly spicy. Ground pork soaks up the paste, and slivered kaffir lime leaves add a citrusy fragrance that lifts the whole plate. A bowl of jasmine rice turns it into a satisfying meal, and it is just as good made with chicken, shrimp, or tofu. The whole dish comes together faster than the rice takes to steam, making it an ideal weeknight side.

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This dish leans on the condiments covered in Beginner’s Guide to Asian Sauces & Seasonings.

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