Thai cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its vibrant flavors and aromatic spices. If you’re new to Thai cooking and wondering where to start, you’ve come to the right place. This guide offers 27 straightforward and delicious recipes, perfect for beginners who want to learn how to make Thai food at home. These dishes are not only easy to prepare but also represent some of the most beloved and commonly enjoyed meals in Thailand.
Before you dive into the recipes, it’s essential to gather the right ingredients. Check out this guide to buying essential Thai ingredients at Asian markets.
1. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup) ต้มยำกุ้ง
Tom Yum Goong is the quintessential Thai soup, embodying the perfect balance of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavors. It features key Thai herbs like lemongrass, galangal, and makrut lime leaves (kaffir lime leaves). Once you have the ingredients, making this soup is incredibly simple. For your first attempt, consider using chicken stock instead of shrimp stock to streamline the process.
Tom Yum Goong Recipe
2. Tom Kha Gai (Coconut Galangal Chicken Soup) ต้มข่าไก่
If you prefer a milder flavor profile, Tom Kha Gai is a comforting and creamy coconut soup. It’s a popular choice for Thai cooking classes due to its crowd-pleasing taste and unique flavors. Galangal is a key ingredient, so be sure to source it if possible.
Get the Tom Kha Gai Recipe
3. Thai Green Curry (Chicken and Vegan Options) แกงเขียวหวาน
Green Curry is one of the most well-known and beloved Thai dishes. The good news is that it’s very easy to make. You don’t need to make your own green curry paste from scratch – most Thai people don’t! This recipe is easily adaptable for both chicken and vegan diets.
Green Curry Chicken Recipe
Vegan Thai Green Curry Recipe
4. Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry (Pad Kra Pao / Pad Gaprao) ผัดกะเพรา
Pad Kra Pao, also known as Pad Gaprao, is a famous Thai stir-fry with holy basil. This humble street food boasts an impressive flavor, making it a favorite among locals and foreigners alike. While holy basil (gaprao) is traditional, Italian or Thai basil can also be used. A crispy fried egg on top is optional but highly recommended. This weeknight-friendly dish is sure to become a regular in your kitchen.
Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry Recipe (Pad Gaprao)
5. Instant Pot (or not) Massaman Curry แกงมัสมั่น
If you enjoy Indian food, you’ll likely love Massaman Curry. It features a rich sauce loaded with aromatic spices. This curry is well-suited for the Instant Pot, which significantly shortens the braising time. However, it can also be made on the stovetop. Chicken or lamb can be substituted for beef.
Stovetop Massaman Curry Recipe
Instant Pot Massaman Curry Recipe
6. Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum / Som Tam) ส้มตำ
Som Tum is a go-to side dish in Thailand, perfect for complementing grilled meats. Crunchy green papaya is tossed with fish sauce, palm sugar, tamarind paste, and fresh lime juice, along with chilies for a spicy kick. Serve it with sticky rice or Thai coconut rice. If green papaya is unavailable, try a corn and cucumber salad or a chayote and apple salad as alternatives.
Green Papaya Salad Recipe
7. Healthier & Easier Pad Thai ผัดไทวุ้นเส้น
Pad Thai is Thailand’s most iconic stir-fried noodle dish, but it can be tricky to master. This recipe uses glass noodles, which are more forgiving and faster to cook than rice noodles. Glass noodle Pad Thai is a dish made in Thailand! This simplified version is recommended for beginners and still delivers the classic Pad Thai flavor.
Healthier and Easier Pad Thai with Glass Noodles
8. Cashew Chicken ไก่ผัดเม็ดมะม่วงหิมพานต์
This Cashew Chicken recipe will surpass any takeout version. Effort has been put into maximizing the flavor of this easy stir-fry. If you already enjoy this dish from your local Thai restaurant, you’re in for a treat!
Ultimate Cashew Chicken Recipe
9. Thai Pineapple Fried Rice ข้าวผัดสับปะรด
If you’ve only had pineapple fried rice in the context of Chinese food, you must try this Thai-style version! The recipe is simple, yet the result is a complex-flavored dish that looks impressive. Make the pineapple bowl for a wow factor, or skip it and buy pre-cut fresh pineapple chunks.
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
10. Laab (not larb) Gai (Chicken Salad) ลาบไก่
Laab is a northeastern Thai salad made with ground meat, tossed in a spicy dressing made with fish sauce, lime juice, and toasted rice powder. This chicken laab is just one example; “you can laab anything.” Explore the various laab variations, including a vegan laab and a “leftover laab.”
Laab Gai Recipe
11. Pad See Ew (Stir-fried Noodles) ผัดซีอิ้ว
Pad See Ew is a popular Thai stir-fried noodle dish. Fresh wide rice noodles are stir-fried with a mix of soy sauces, eggs, and Chinese broccoli. The ratio of ingredients is key, so measure everything carefully. If you can’t find fresh wide rice noodles, try a version using egg noodles or rice vermicelli.
Pas See Ew Recipe
12. Thai Red Curry (Chicken or Vegan) แกงเผ็ด
This simple curry might not even require a visit to an Asian grocery store. Many Western supermarkets carry red curry paste, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Regular basil can be substituted for Thai basil.
Thai Red Curry with Chicken Recipe
Vegan Thai Red Curry Recipe
13. Pad Prik King (Red Curry Chicken Stir Fry) ผัดพริกขิง
Thai curry paste isn’t just for curries! Use it in stir-fries like this quick and simple chicken stir-fry with red curry paste and long beans. It delivers a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors.
Pad Prik King Recipe
14. Thai Marinated Grilled Steak เนื้อย่าง
This Thai marinade is all you need for a flavorful grilled steak. Its neutral flavor pairs well with any meal. Serve it with sticky rice or mashed potatoes. Grill extra steak to make a spicy Thai beef salad!
Thai Marinated Grilled Steak Recipe
15. Thai Fried Rice (Crab) ข้าวผัดปู
Thai fried rice might seem simple, but a well-made version is incredibly delicious. The crab version is the most popular in Thailand. Shrimp can be substituted for crab.
Thai Crab Fried Rice Recipe
16. Panang Curry แพนงเนื้อ
Panang Curry is one of the simplest and quickest Thai curries to make. It’s more of a stir-fry than a curry, with a creamy sauce that features roasted peanuts and spices. Chicken or pork can be used instead of beef.
Panang Curry with Beef Recipe
17. Glass Noodle Stir Fry (Pad Woon Sen) ผัดวุ้นเส้น
This glass noodle stir-fry was created during lockdown, using mostly pantry staples. It’s easily adaptable and kid-friendly.
Glass Noodle Stir Fry (pad woon sen) Recipe
18. Cabbage & Fish Sauce Stir Fry กะหล่ำปลีผัดน้ำปลา
This may be the easiest Thai recipe. The combination of cabbage and fish sauce delivers an incredible flavor. It’s a popular veggie side dish in Thailand for a reason! Use good quality fish sauce for this dish.
Garlicky Cabbage Fish Sauce Stir Fry Recipe
19. Spicy Thai Egg Salad (Yum Kai Tom) ยำไข่ต้ม
This hidden gem is a common dish in Thailand that’s incredibly easy to make. Serve it as an appetizer or with jasmine rice.
Spicy Thai Egg Salad Recipe
20. Satay & Peanut Sauce เนื้อสะเต๊ะ
This peanut sauce is the real deal, made without peanut butter. It can be used on anything, even roasted chicken or vegetables. This recipe is for beef satay, but it can be adapted for chicken satay.
Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce Recipe
21. Fish Sauce Wings (3 ingredients!) ปีกไก่ทอดน้ำปลา
This recipe highlights the power of fish sauce as a flavor enhancer. Chicken wings and fish sauce are the only essentials. Coat them with a little rice flour, but you can skip it.
Fish Sauce Wings Recipe
22. Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry ผัดผักรวม
This is the perfect recipe for using up fresh vegetables in your fridge. The sauce is packed with umami flavors from oyster sauce, soy sauce, and fish sauce.
Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe
23. All-Purpose Thai Basil Sauce
This versatile sauce can turn anything into a Thai dish. Use it over pan-seared fish, oven-baked chicken, or as a stir-fry sauce for vegetables and protein.
All-Purpose Thai Basil Sauce Recipe
24. Steamed Fish Ginger Soy Sauce ปลานึ่งซีอิ๊ว
Thai people eat steamed fish regularly. Steam the fish, make the sauce, and pour the sauce on top. It’s that simple!
Steamed Fish with Ginger Soy Sauce Recipe
25. Ultimate Thai BBQ Chicken (Gai Yang) ไก่ย่าง
This is a reliable “marinade today, cook tomorrow” recipe. Use any chicken parts you prefer. Grill them or roast them in the oven.
Ultimate Thai BBQ Chicken Recipe
26. Mango and Sticky Rice ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง
Thai desserts are underrated. This is the Thai dessert to try. Pair sweet, ripe mangoes with sweet coconut sticky rice.
Mango and Sticky Rice Recipe
27. Thai Iced Tea ชาเย็น
This is the perfect beverage to tame the spices of your Thai meal. Thai iced tea is a rich and creamy black tea sweetened with condensed milk.
Thai Iced Tea Recipe
Learning how to make Thai food is a rewarding culinary journey. These 27 recipes offer a fantastic starting point for anyone eager to explore the vibrant and delicious world of Thai cuisine. Enjoy the process and savor the flavors!
