10+ Thai Recipes: Delicious Dishes to Spice Up Your Kitchen
Thai cuisine offers a delightful mix of flavors, making it a favorite around the world. With the right recipes and ingredients, you can create authentic and delicious dishes right in your own kitchen. Whether you are a beginner or have some cooking experience, exploring Thai recipes can be a fun and rewarding experience.
From fragrant curries to savory stir-fries, Thai food is known for its balanced taste and vibrant colors. With a little practice, you can prepare these dishes easily and impress your friends and family with your cooking skills.
1) Tom Yum Goong
Tom Yum Goong is a famous Thai soup known for its hot and sour flavors. This dish mainly features prawns and a mix of aromatic herbs.
The key ingredients are lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. These give the soup its unique taste. You can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more Thai chilies.
To make Tom Yum Goong, start by boiling water and adding the herbs. After a few minutes, add the prawns until they turn pink and cooked through.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 4 stalks of lemongrass
- 1 inch chunk of galangal
- 10 kaffir lime leaves
- 10 Thai chilies
- 1 pound of prawns
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Boil 2 cups of water in a pot.
- Add lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves; bring back to a boil.
- Add the prawns and cook until they turn pink.
- Season with salt to taste and serve hot.
2) Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a popular Thai dish that combines flavors and textures in every bite. You can make it with rice noodles, shrimp, chicken, or tofu. It is often topped with crushed peanuts and fresh lime for an extra touch.
To create this delicious meal, you’ll need a mix of savory, sweet, and tangy ingredients. You can customize Pad Thai to your taste by choosing your favorite protein and adding colorful vegetables.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (225 grams) rice noodles
- 1 cup shrimp or chicken (or tofu)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
- 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Lime wedges for serving
Cooking Instructions
- Soak rice noodles in hot water for 20 minutes.
- In a pan, cook the shrimp or chicken until done.
- Push protein to the side and scramble the eggs in the same pan.
- Add noodles, tamarind paste, fish sauce, and sugar. Toss to combine.
- Stir in bean sprouts and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Serve topped with crushed peanuts and lime wedges.
3) Green Curry
Green curry is a tasty Thai dish that balances flavors well. You can easily make it at home using store-bought curry paste or create your own for a fresher taste.
This curry is great with chicken, tofu, or vegetables. It’s cooked in coconut milk, which makes it creamy and rich. You can serve it with rice or noodles to complete your meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons green curry paste
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 pound (450 g) chicken or tofu, cubed
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (like bell peppers and carrots)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegan option)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a pot over medium heat. Add green curry paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the coconut milk and stir until blended.
- Add the chicken or tofu. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Stir in the vegetables and fish sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil. Enjoy!
4) Panang Chicken Curry
Panang Chicken Curry is a delicious Thai dish that’s both creamy and full of flavor. It features chicken cooked in coconut milk, making it rich and satisfying. You’ll love its balance of sweet, salty, and zesty notes.
To make it, you’ll start by sautéing chicken with a mix of vibrant vegetables like bell peppers and onions. The curry paste adds a bold flavor that really shines when combined with coconut milk. Serve it over rice or with naan for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons Panang curry paste
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pan, heat some oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and bell peppers, cooking until soft.
- Add the chicken and cook until browned.
- Stir in the Panang curry paste and peanut butter, mixing well.
- Pour in the coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook for about 10-12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve hot with rice and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
5) Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are a delicious and fresh option for snacks or appetizers. You can fill them with a variety of ingredients like vegetables, shrimp, or chicken. They are often served with a tasty dipping sauce.
To make fresh spring rolls, you’ll need rice paper wrappers. These wrappers are simple to use and create a nice, chewy texture. You can add ingredients like lettuce, carrots, and herbs for a burst of flavor.
If you prefer crispy spring rolls, try frying them. These rolls are usually filled with meat and vegetables, and then deep-fried until golden brown.
Ingredients
- Rice paper wrappers
- Chopped vegetables (like lettuce and carrots)
- Cooked shrimp or chicken
- Fresh herbs (like mint and cilantro)
- Dipping sauce (like peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce)
Cooking Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by chopping vegetables and cooking any meat.
- Soak the rice paper wrapper in warm water until soft.
- Lay the wrapper on a flat surface and add your fillings.
- Roll tightly and secure the ends.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
6) Massaman Curry
Massaman curry is a delicious Thai dish that combines savory and sweet flavors. It is often made with tender chicken or beef, potatoes, and rich spices.
This curry uses coconut milk, which gives it a creamy texture. You can also add peanuts for a nice crunch. It’s perfect to serve with steamed rice or naan bread.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken or beef, cut into pieces
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 2 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2-3 tablespoons Massaman curry paste
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup peanuts (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, heat a bit of oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and sauté until soft.
- Stir in the Massaman curry paste and cook for a minute.
- Add the chicken or beef and cook until brown.
- Pour in the coconut milk and add potatoes.
- Stir in fish sauce and brown sugar.
- Simmer for 25-30 minutes until meat and potatoes are tender.
- Garnish with peanuts and cilantro before serving.
7) Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is a popular Thai stir-fried noodle dish. It features wide rice noodles, often paired with chicken, beef, or tofu. This dish is cooked with Chinese broccoli and eggs, giving it a hearty, satisfying feel.
The key to great Pad See Ew is the sauce, which includes soy sauce and a bit of sugar. This creates a delicious sweet-salty flavor that keeps you wanting more. You can easily make it at home in just a short time.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces wide rice noodles
- 1 cup chicken, beef, or tofu, sliced
- 2 cups Chinese broccoli, chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Cooking Instructions
- Soak the rice noodles in hot water for about 30 minutes.
- Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the meat and cook until browned.
- Add the noodles and sauce, stirring well.
- Push noodles to one side and crack the eggs in the wok. Scramble.
- Mix everything together and add the broccoli.
- Stir-fry for a few more minutes and serve hot.
8) Thai Red Curry
Thai Red Curry is a flavorful dish that you can easily make at home. It combines rich coconut milk with aromatic Thai red curry paste. You can add chicken or vegetables for a delicious meal.
To make it, start by sautéing your choice of meat or vegetables in a pan. Then, stir in the curry paste and let it cook for a minute. Add coconut milk and let everything simmer until heated through.
Serve the curry with rice for a satisfying meal. You can also adjust the spice level by adding more or less curry paste. Enjoy your homemade Thai Red Curry!
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken or tofu
- 1 can (13.5 oz or 400 ml) coconut milk
- 3-4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add chicken or tofu and cook until browned.
- Stir in the Thai red curry paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the coconut milk and mix well.
- Add bell pepper and broccoli. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Season with fish sauce if desired.
- Serve with rice and garnish with fresh basil.
9) Thai Basil Chicken
Thai Basil Chicken, or Pad Krapow Gai, is a simple and tasty dish that you can make at home. It features ground chicken cooked with aromatic garlic, fresh basil, and spicy chilies. You’ll love how quick it is to prepare.
Serve it over white jasmine rice for a complete meal. The key to this dish is the Thai basil, which adds a unique flavor that makes it special. You can adjust the spice level based on your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 Thai bird chilies, chopped
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
- Add minced garlic and chopped chilies. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add ground chicken and cook until no longer pink.
- Stir in soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar.
- Add Thai basil and mix until wilted.
- Serve hot over jasmine rice. Enjoy!
10) Thai Mango Sticky Rice
Thai Mango Sticky Rice is a delightful dessert made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and ripe mangoes. It’s sweet, creamy, and perfect for any occasion.
To make this dish, start by soaking glutinous rice for at least four hours.
After soaking, steam the rice until it’s cooked. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
While the rice cooks, prepare a sweet coconut sauce using coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix until everything is dissolved.
Once the rice is done, mix some coconut sauce into the rice, letting it soak up the flavors. Serve it warm with fresh mango slices and a drizzle of the remaining coconut sauce on top.
Ingredients
- 1 cup glutinous rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ripe mangoes
Cooking Instructions
- Soak glutinous rice for 4 hours.
- Steam the rice for 20-30 minutes until cooked.
- In a pot, combine coconut milk, sugar, and salt.
- Heat until the sugar and salt dissolve.
- Mix some sauce into the rice.
- Serve with sliced mango and remaining sauce.