Keto Broccoli Almond Curry with Coconut Milk
This vegan keto broccoli almond curry is a quick, Thai-inspired one-pan meal: broccoli florets in a creamy sauce of coconut milk, almond butter and green curry paste with fresh ginger. Almond butter makes the sauce silky and rich while delivering both fat and protein. Just 7 g net carbs per serving with 40 g fat and 13 g protein. Ready in 20 minutes.
Key facts at a glance
- Cook time: approx. 20 minutes, all in one pan.
- Approx. 7 g net carbs and 40 g fat per serving.
- Ingredients: broccoli, coconut milk, almond butter, green curry paste, coconut oil, ginger, lime.
- Vegan, quick and designed as a full keto meal; optional with cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
One serving is designed as a complete vegan keto meal; optional with cauliflower rice.
| Amount | Ingredient | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | cut into florets | |||
| cut into florets | ||||
| Coconut milk | full-fat | |||
| full-fat | ||||
| Almond butter | 100%, unsweetened | |||
| 100%, unsweetened | ||||
| Coconut oil | approx. 10 g; 1 tsp | |||
| approx. 10 g; 1 tsp | ||||
| Green curry paste | 1 tsp, vegan | |||
| 1 tsp, vegan | ||||
| Fresh ginger | grated, 1 tsp | |||
| grated, 1 tsp | ||||
| Lime juice | 0.25 lime | |||
| 0.25 lime | ||||
| Sliced almonds | for topping | |||
| for topping | ||||
| Salt | to taste | |||
| to taste | ||||
| Fresh cilantro | to garnish | |||
| to garnish | ||||
Preparation
Cut the broccoli into florets. Heat coconut oil in a deep skillet and sauté the ginger and green curry paste for 1 minute. Stir in the coconut milk and almond butter until smooth. Add the broccoli florets and cook over medium heat for 12 minutes in the sauce until tender-crisp. Season with lime juice, garnish with sliced almonds and cilantro.
Why this curry works as vegan and keto
The double combination of coconut milk and almond butter delivers plenty of fat with minimal carbs. 100 ml of full-fat coconut milk brings approx. 20 g fat and 2.7 g net carbs. Almond butter (20 g) adds another 12 g fat with just 0.8 g net carbs. Broccoli (200 g) contains approx. 4.4 g net carbs and is one of the best keto vegetables. Green curry paste delivers flavor intensity with negligible carbs. Overall profile: 40 g fat, 13 g protein, 7 g net carbs.
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Broccoli, raw , Harvard Nutrition Source, Vegetables and Fruits
Almond butter as a keto sauce base
Almond butter (100%, no added sugar) provides approx. 12 g fat, 4 g protein and just 0.8 g net carbs per 20 g. Dissolved in curry sauces it creates a silky, creamy texture similar to cashew cream but with a better keto profile. It stabilizes the sauce and keeps the coconut milk from splitting under heat.
Broccoli: the ideal keto vegetable
Per 200 g, broccoli delivers only 4.4 g net carbs but 5.2 g protein along with plenty of vitamin C, vitamin K and folate. It stays tender-crisp in curry sauce and soaks up the aromatics well. For keto, broccoli is one of the most versatile vegetables.
How to serve and vary the broccoli almond curry
Best served in a deep bowl. Cauliflower rice is the perfect keto side and soaks up the creamy sauce. A scattering of sliced almonds and fresh cilantro adds crunch and brightness.
Meal prep and storage
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days. When reheating, add 1-2 tbsp of water if needed so the sauce does not get too thick. The sauce develops overnight and becomes even more aromatic.
Extra-spicy variant
Use 2 tsp of green curry paste instead of 1 tsp, or sauté 1 fresh Thai chili along with the aromatics. Net carbs barely change.
Which tips help with the keto broccoli almond curry?
- Cut the broccoli florets to a similar size so they cook evenly.
- Loosen the almond butter with a little warm water before stirring it in, it dissolves into the coconut milk more easily.
- Sauté the curry paste in oil first, then add the liquid, this releases the essential oils of the spices.
- Do not overcook the broccoli: 12 minutes over medium heat gives the perfect tender-crisp bite.
- Add the lime juice only at the end, heat destroys the freshness.
Nutrition values
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per serving | Keto context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | approx. 118 kcal | approx. 430 kcal | Satisfying vegan keto meal; energy from coconut milk and almond butter. |
| Satisfying vegan keto meal; energy from coconut milk and almond butter. | |||
| Fat | approx. 11 g | approx. 40 g | Mostly from coconut milk, almond butter and coconut oil; a mix of MCTs and monounsaturated fats. |
| Mostly from coconut milk, almond butter and coconut oil; a mix of MCTs and monounsaturated fats. | |||
| Net carbs | approx. 1.9 g | approx. 7 g | Low; comes from broccoli, coconut milk and almond butter. |
| Low; comes from broccoli, coconut milk and almond butter. | |||
| Sugar | approx. 1.0 g | approx. 3.5 g | Natural sugars from broccoli and coconut milk; no added sugar. |
| Natural sugars from broccoli and coconut milk; no added sugar. | |||
| Protein | approx. 3.6 g | approx. 13 g | Plant protein from broccoli and almond butter. |
| Plant protein from broccoli and almond butter. | |||
| Salt | approx. 0.3 g | approx. 1.0 g | Moderate; from curry paste and seasoning. |
| Moderate; from curry paste and seasoning. | |||
Note: Nutrition values are estimated averages per 100 g and per serving and may vary depending on ingredients, brands, portion size, and preparation. They do not replace individual nutrition or medical advice.
FAQ
Can I use peanut butter instead of almond butter?
Yes, peanut butter works just as well. The flavor turns earthier and nuttier. The macro profile is almost identical: similar fat content, slightly more protein.
Is green curry paste vegan?
Not always, some contain shrimp paste. Check the label or choose a paste that is explicitly marked vegan. As an alternative, yellow curry paste is more often vegan by default.
How do I make the curry higher in protein?
Sauté 100 g of cubed firm tofu along with the aromatics (+8 g protein, +1 g net carbs) or sprinkle 30 g of hemp seeds on top (+10 g protein, +1 g net carbs). Both keep the dish vegan and keto.
Does this curry work as a lunch?
Yes, with 430 kcal and 40 g fat it is a satisfying lunch. If needed, scale down the portion or serve it as a side to a salad.