Our Top 50 Traditional Thai Recipes

Pack your utensils for a delicious trip to Thailand

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/2/21
Thai Rice Noodle Salad With Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

The Spruce/Maxwell Cozzi

Do you love the flavors of authentic Thai food and wish you could cook these traditional meals at home? We've got you covered with our best Thai recipes designed for cooks of all levels to tackle, and ingredients you can find at the grocery store or easily source online.

Whether you love Pad Thai noodles, need summer party food ideas, or are looking for delicious weeknight stir-fries, our Thai recipe collection has it all, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes. Sip on one of our Thai-inspired summer drinks to cool things off when the weather heats up, then dive into the unique flavors of all our desserts. Explore the exciting spices, sauces, and ingredients of Thailand as we travel across the ocean without leaving home.

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  • 01 of 50

    Thai Iced Coffee

    Thai Iced Coffee

    The Spruce/Kristina Vanni

    Forget about Starbucks. This strong, creamy, and sweet Thai iced coffee is as good or better than anything you get at your local coffeehouse chain, and costs just pennies a cup. Plus, it's a cinch to make with 3 ingredients. Keep a jug in the fridge for whenever you need a sweet, cool jolt of caffeine, such as that mid-afternoon work-from-home slump.

  • 02 of 50

    Thai Iced Tea

    Thai Iced Tea

    The Spruce/Emily Baker

    If you've eaten at a Thai restaurant in America, you are likely familiar with Thai iced tea. Our version of the refreshing iced tea beverage is nice and creamy, with a mix of black tea, spices, sugar, vanilla and almond flavors, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Enjoy it as a caffeinated thirst-quencher on hot summer days.

  • 03 of 50

    Mango Passion Cocktail

    Mango Passion Cocktail

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

    Mango cocktails are a common drink on the beaches of southern Thailand, and this recipe lets you enjoy them in your own backyard paradise. For food pairings, serve with something crisp and crunchy like Thai spring rolls. Or, really spice things up with some Thai finger and party foods, where the hot flavors of chile peppers marry beautifully with the cooling flavors of mango.

  • 04 of 50

    Homemade Thai Red Curry Paste

    Thai curry recipe

    ​The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Red curry paste makes for excellent Thai curry, including chicken, ​seafood, or vegetable curries. Or add a dollop of this red paste to flavor Thai soups, noodles, and other dishes. Homemade curry paste creates tastier dishes than store-bought pastes. 

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  • 05 of 50

    Nam Chim Kai Sauce

    Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

    Thai sweet chili sauce is known as nam chim kai in Thailand. It is sold in bottles and available in Asian food markets, but it's also easy to make at home. It only takes a few minutes to put together, and makes a superb condiment for many dishes.

  • 06 of 50

    Satay Peanut Sauce

    Real satay peanut sauce recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This slightly spicy satay peanut sauce is most widely associated with Thai cuisine, but it's enjoyed throughout Southeast Asia and has Indonesian roots. It's best known as the sauce for satay, a tasty appetizer of marinated meat (often chicken, pork, or beef) grilled on a skewer. All you need to do is simply mix the ingredients in a blender or food processor, adjust the seasoning, and you're done.

  • 07 of 50

    Thai Green Curry Paste

    Thai Green Curry Paste

    The Spruce

    Thai green curry paste is surprisingly quick to make, and it's much fresher tasting than the store-bought variety. Added to your favorite meats, vegetables, tofu, or wheat gluten, this paste will create delicious, velvety curries. When your curry paste is done, always taste for salt and spice, as curry can be a trial-and-error process to achieve the right flavor balance.

  • 08 of 50

    Easy Saffron Rice

    Easy Saffron Rice

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    This easy recipe for saffron rice hails from the south of Thailand, where it is often eaten with roast chicken. Saffron brings not only its signature flavor to this dish, but provides that signature yellow color to the rice as well. Because saffron is so expensive, this recipe calls for just a small amount, and the color is enhanced by adding turmeric.

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  • 09 of 50

    Easy Coconut Rice Made in a Rice Cooker

    Coconut rice recipe

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Serve coconut rice with a variety of Thai and Indian dishes such as curries, stir-fried vegetables, fish, and seafood mains. This easy recipe utilizes a rice cooker, so you can set it and forget it. The starchy, nutty, and slightly floral notes of coconut and jasmine rice marry together for a beautiful accompaniment to your main dish.

  • 10 of 50

    Thai Crispy Rice Noodles

    Thai Crispy Rice Noodles

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

    Thai crispy rice noodles are a delightful gluten-free snack as well as the foundation for many Thai dishes such as lettuce wraps, stir-fries, salads, and soups. The dried rice noodles puff up in seconds, but make sure the oil hot enough so they expand immediately—the best way to do this is to test with a noodle or two first.

  • 11 of 50

    BBQ Thai Garlic Shrimp in the Shell

    BBQ Thai Garlic Shrimp in the Shell

    The Spruce/Nita West

    Delight summer barbecue party guests with a platter of grilled garlic shrimp in the shell. It takes mere minutes to grill up a mess of sweet, crunchy pink shrimp that guests can grab with their hands, though they look and taste like you worked harder. To make them a meal, serve with cooked white rice, steamed vegetables, and perhaps a lemon wedge for squeezing.

  • 12 of 50

    Chicken Pad Thai

    Chicken Pad Thai

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    Pad Thai is a favorite of many for good reason. The delicious combination of chewy noodles, tender vegetables, and chicken or shrimp, all tossed in a tangy sweet and sour sauce, is a delight for the senses. The key to perfect pad Thai is in the cooking of the noodles—cook them just enough so that they are chewy-perfect.

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  • 13 of 50

    Vegan and Gluten-Free Thai Pumpkin Curry

    Vegan gluten-free Thai pumpkin curry recipe

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    This Thai pumpkin curry may be vegan and gluten-free, but it's just as satisfying as meat-laden curries. Yellow bell peppers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and pumpkin make this a bright and sunny dish, perfect for those bleary winter days. Warming spices like cumin and coriander add to the coziness. A sprinkle of pumpkin seeds and edible flowers make it elegant for holidays or dinner parties.

  • 14 of 50

    Thai Basil Pork

    Thai Basil Pork

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    This flavorful basil pork stir-fry is classic Thai food at its tastiest. Usually, this dish is made with ground pork, but nearly any type of pork or chicken can be used. Commonly found from street markets and vendors, this savory dish is easy to make and can turn a weeknight dinner into a feast of wonderful flavors.

  • 15 of 50

    Tom Yum Soup

    Tom Yum Soup

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    Tom yum soup is the king of all Thai soups, and this recipe does not disappoint. The aromatic hot and sour soup brimming with coconut milk, lemongrass, fresh herbs, and chili works well as an appetizer, for lunch, or main dish served alongside sticky rice. If you have vegetarians at the table, try this tofu variation.

  • 16 of 50

    Thai Weeping Tiger Beef

    Best-Ever Thai 'Weeping Tiger' Beef

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

    In Thailand, there are a few different explanations for why this dish is called Weeping Tiger beef. One thing is certain, though—it is a delicious and unexpected way to enjoy the meaty taste of sirloin steaks. The marinated meat is oven-broiled until it is meltingly tender, and then thinly sliced, and served with a fresh and vibrant sauce. Serve with rice or salad.

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  • 17 of 50

    Easy Gluten-Free Vegan Thai Fried Rice Noodles

    Easy Gluten-Free Vegan Thai Fried Rice Noodles

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

    Thai fried noodles are a cinch to prepare, and a delight for your anyone eating vegan or gluten-free. It starts with thin vermicelli rice noodles, which you boil first before adding into a stir-fry with an assortment of healthy vegetables, tender chicken morsels, and a sweet and tangy sauce.

  • 18 of 50

    Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)

    Som tam thai recipe

    The Spruce 

    Som Tam is a popular Thai salad featuring green papaya and a spicy chile pepper dressing. The multitude of flavors from this salad explode in your mouth—sweet, tart, crunchy, and a touch of spiciness—the perfect side dish or a light entree. Make this recipe even easier with the help of a food processor.

  • 19 of 50

    Green Mango Salad

    Thai Green Mango Salad

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

    Refreshing, sweet, crunchy, and a touch spicy, the essential Thai green mango salad brings wonderful balance to a buffet table groaning with saucy or spicy mains. Firm, unripe mango slices add tartness to this fruity salad flavored with a sweetened lime dressing, and adorned with crunchy peanuts. It also makes a great lunch or light summer dinner when you add tofu or chicken.

  • 20 of 50

    Fresh Spring Rolls (With Vegetarian Option)

    Thai Fresh Spring Rolls (With Vegetarian Option)

    The Spruce

    Thai fresh spring rolls are refreshing, colorful, and fun to make. The filling ingredients are flexible, so it's easy to make them vegetarian with tips in the recipe. They make a terrific snack for any time of day or night, and as a bonus they are naturally gluten-free.

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  • 21 of 50

    Panang Chicken Curry

    A bow of Thai panang chicen curry served with rice

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    Panang chicken curry (also spelled penang like the northern Malaysian state) features a warm, rich red curry with flavor notes from Malaysia, Burma, and India. For ease of preparation, this recipe gives directions for oven cooking, but it can be simmered on a stovetop, if desired.

  • 22 of 50

    Marinated Crispy Fried Pork Ribs

    Thai Marinated Crispy Fried Pork Ribs

    The Spruce/Christina Musgrave

    There's no need to precook these crispy, seasoned fried pork ribs. Make them quickly on your stove-top, with only 20 minutes of marinating time needed, or prep them up to a day ahead. Serve as a finger-licking appetizer with Thai chili sauce for dipping, or make them a main dish with rice or potatoes.

  • 23 of 50

    Green Chicken Curry With Bell Peppers

    Thai Green Chicken Curry With Bell Peppers

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

    Colorful, fragrant, creamy, and bright, green chicken curry is one of Thai cuisine's most sought-after dishes. Learn to make this takeout staple from scratch, without using prepackaged curry paste. Our easy-to-follow recipe includes all the tips you need to make the curry paste from scratch in your food processor, with fresh and dried herbs, fish sauce, and coconut milk.

  • 24 of 50

    Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice

    Vegetarian Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

    A signature dish of Thailand, pineapple fried rice is always a welcome addition to buffet tables. Our 30-minute version is truly mouth-watering, and easy to cook up, with canned pineapple chunks, frozen peas, crunchy cashews, chewy raisins, soy sauce, and dried spices. When hosting guests, it can be served in a pineapple boat for an impressive presentation.

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  • 25 of 50

    Garlic Shrimp

    Thai Garlic Shrimp

    The Spruce/Ali Redmond

    In just 15 minutes, you can enjoy a dish of succulent, salty-sweet Thai garlic shrimp. It's the perfect dish to serve over rice any night of the week, and looks pretty enough to serve at a party as an appetizer. If serving to kids, feel free to tame the spice level by reducing the amount of chili in the recipe.

  • 26 of 50

    Grilled Chicken Satay

    Thai Satay

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

    Thai satay chicken with peanut dipping sauce is a popular party appetizer, and a great way to kick off summer cookouts. Chicken thighs are marinated in a special Thai paste, then skewered and grilled on the barbecue (or broiled indoors in your oven). Serve them with the included thick, creamy peanut sauce for the ultimate taste sensation.

  • 27 of 50

    Rice Noodle Salad With Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

    Thai Rice Noodle Salad With Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

    The Spruce/Maxwell Cozzi

    Fresh and flavorful Thai rice noodle salad is a fabulous addition to any backyard party buffet. Because rice noodles are lighter in texture and calories than traditional pasta noodles, they are ideal for summer salads. We toss them in a light dressing with crunchy raw veggies, fresh herbs, and peanuts for a cold noodle dish that's full of flavor.

  • 28 of 50

    Mango Chicken

    Thai Mango Chicken

    The Spruce

    With our Thai mango chicken slices of flour-dusted chicken are pan-fried then simmered in a tangy mango sauce made with fresh, ripe fruit. Use chicken breast meat to keep it extra-lean, or opt for chicken thighs for a meatier, deeper flavor.

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  • 29 of 50

    10-Minute Cucumber Salad

    10-Minute Thai Cucumber Salad

    The Spruce

    You need just 10 minutes to prep this refreshing Thai-style cucumber salad brimming with the flavors of Thai cuisine. Scallions, red onion, crunchy roasted peanuts, and cilantro leaves join diced cucumber in a zesty soy-citrus dressing. Enjoy it as a light lunch, or a side salad at picnics and barbecues.

  • 30 of 50

    Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

    Thai Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

    Whip up this Thai-style beef and broccoli stir-fry that rivals your favorite restaurant version. It takes so little time to slice up some beef, and stir-fry it in a pan with broccoli, red pepper, and a simple, delicious sauce. Serve over plain steamed jasmine rice for an easy, comfort food dinner your family will love.

  • 31 of 50

    Baked Tofu in Thai Peanut Sauce

    Baked Tofu in Thai Peanut Sauce

    The Spruce/Cara Cormack

    Create a vegetarian and vegan meal that everyone will love with this satay-inspired tofu dish. We bake tofu in a delicious Thai-style peanut sauce for a low-fat dish that tastes so good, you'll want to double the recipe to enjoy again as leftovers. Serve it over rice, or add any leftovers to a next-day stir-fry with cooked rice or noodles, and vegetables from the crisper.

  • 32 of 50

    Seafood Curry

    Thai Seafood Curry

    The Spruce / Ali Redmond

    You need just 30 minutes to assemble a Thai seafood curry that looks and tastes like you cooked it all afternoon. With tender chunks of salmon, red snapper, scallops, shrimp, and mussels, simmered in a delicious and creamy coconut curry sauce with pineapple, it's a healthy, one-pot dish that is sure to please and impress your friends and family.

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  • 33 of 50

    Fish Curry

    Thai Fish Curry

    The Spruce/Cara Cormack

    Use any type of firm white fish, or even salmon fillets, for this Thai fish curry. It's so aromatic and delicious, you won't believe how easy it is to prepare in just 20 minutes. Pieces of fish are simmered in a rich and flavorful Thai curry sauce, along with mushrooms, tomatoes, and green beans. Serve it over rice for dinner, or enjoy it in a bowl for a great work-from-home lunch.

  • 34 of 50

    Basil Shrimp

    Thai Basil ShrimpThai Basil Shrimp

    The Spruce/Maxwell Cozzi

    Thai basil shrimp is a popular restaurant dish that is easy to cook at home in under 30 minutes. With fragrant basil leaves, bright bell peppers, and a sweet and tangy sauce that packs quite a bit of heat, it is a stupendous showcase of Southest Asian flavors. Serve it the traditional way with steamed jasmine rice, and a fried egg, for an insanely delicious weekday meal.

  • 35 of 50

    Crunchy Fried Thai Spring Rolls

    Crunchy Fried Thai Spring Rolls

    The Spruce

    Have you always wanted to learn to make your own spring rolls at home? While this recipe has multiple steps, it is straightforward and approachable for beginner cooks to try. The real magic is the delicious stir-fried filling, which goes into the spring rolls wrappers, before being rolled up tight and pan-fried to perfection.

  • 36 of 50

    Massaman Lamb Curry

    Thai Massaman Lamb Curry

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

    Massaman curry is an incredibly saucy and fragrant fusion dish with wonderful Thai and Indian flavors. You don't even need a food processor for the curry paste. Just toss the sauce ingredients into the cooking pot as you prepare them, and simmer together with the meat.

    Continue to 37 of 50 below.
  • 37 of 50

    Chicken Fried Rice

    Thai Chicken Fried Rice

    The Spruce/Maxwell Cozzi

    Want to cook up chicken fried rice like the kind you get at your favorite Thai restaurant? Consider this your go-to recipe. It cooks in only 30 minutes, with leftover cooked rice, chicken, and your choice of veggies, and makes an easy weekday meal in one bowl. Clean-up is easy, too, since you only need to use a single pan.

  • 38 of 50

    Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    The Spruce / Darlene Schmidt 

    This basil chicken lettuce wraps recipe is brimming with taste and is fun to eat. Set the hot filling and cool lettuce leaves out on the table, then have your friends and family wrap their own. Makes a crunchy-delicious dinner, or serve it as a special appetizer for a dinner party.

  • 39 of 50

    Thai-Style Baked Whole Fish in Garlic-Chile Sauce

    Thai-Style Baked Whole Fish in Garlic-Chile Sauce

    The Spruce/Victoria Heydt

    A whole baked fish makes a fantastic centerpiece for holiday dinners, and other special occasion meals. Our Thai-inspired recipe for a whole fish baked in foil, dressed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy Asian-style sauce, is also a clever way to transform a mild-tasting, white-fleshed fish into a flavorful dinner party entree.

  • 40 of 50

    Gluten-Free Thai Glass Noodle Stir-Fry With Chicken and Vegetables

    Gluten-Free Thai Glass Noodle Stir-Fry With Chicken and Vegetables

    The Spruce/Julia Estrada

    Glass noodles, also called "cellophane" or "bean thread" noodles, magically turn transparent when you cook them, making for a unique looking dish. These popular Asian noodles are also naturally gluten-free, and can be added to stir-fried chicken or tofu, and fresh chopped vegetables, to make a filling dish. You'll love the flavorful stir-fry sauce in this easy weeknight dish, too.

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  • 41 of 50

    Tom Kha (Tom Yum Soup With Coconut Milk and Shrimp)

    Easy tom yum soup with coconut milk tom khaa

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Tom yum soup is a Thai restaurant favorite that is wonderfully soothing on cold weather days, or when you are fighting a cold. Our version is creamy and rich with coconut milk, with all the immune-boosting health benefits of ingredients such as lemongrass, garlic, lime leaves, and coriander. With plump pink shrimp, it can even make a one-bowl meal ladled over steamed white rice.

  • 42 of 50

    Coconut Ice Cream

    Coconut Ice Cream

    The Spruce/Cara Cormack

    Coconut ice cream in Thailand is a little different than American-style ice cream, but just as craveable. This authentic-tasting version is nicely light, and not too rich, with a texture somewhere between an ice cream and a sorbet. Whip it up easily in the food processor or blender, with no ice cream maker required — just some hands-off chilling time in the freezer.

  • 43 of 50

    Coconut-Tapioca Pudding

    Tropical Thai Coconut-Tapioca Pudding

    The Spruce/Qi Ai

    If you have 30 minutes to spare, you've got time enough to pull together this popular, 5-ingredient Thai dessert. It's heavenly coconut and tapioca pudding that can be garnished with fresh mango pulp, for a wonderful way to end any summer meal.

  • 44 of 50

    Pandan Sticky Rice Layer Cake

    A plate of sticky rice cakes with coconut sauce on the side

    The Spruce Eats / Christine Ma

    Sticky rice is a popular dessert ingredient in Thailand that is also naturally gluten-free. This fun and unique sticky rice treat has a uniquely pleasing appearance, and a sweet taste, and is as easy to make as Rice Krispie squares. The green color derives from pandan essence (available online or at Southest Asian grocery stores), the product of a fragrant tropical plant.

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  • 45 of 50

    Tropical Thai Fruit Salad

    Tropical Fruit Salad (Served here in a Pineapple)

    The Spruce / D. Schmidt

    Win your next potluck party with this Thai fruit salad that can be served in a cored pineapple half. Tropical and seasonal fruits are tossed in a bright and creamy coconut-lime glaze, for a sweet and healthy dessert. It's perfect for hot summer days when you crave something juicy and sweet.

  • 46 of 50

    Black Sticky Rice Pudding

    Thai Black Sticky Rice Pudding

    The Spruce/Cara Cormack

    Dark, dramatic, and naturally sweet, black sticky rice is an inspired choice for using in a Thai-style baked rice pudding. It has a fragrant coconut cream sauce that doesn't need dairy.

  • 47 of 50

    Kluai Khaek (Fried Bananas in Crispy Batter)

    Thai Fried Bananas in Crispy Batter (Kluai Khaek)

    The Spruce/Maxwell Cozzi

    Fried bananas are a popular dessert and snack food throughout Southeast Asia. Caramelized banana slices with a crispy fried batter coating that includes shredded coconut are insanely delicious, and so easy to make in your kitchen at home. They make a delightful warm topping for bowls of coconut or vanilla ice cream.

  • 48 of 50

    Thai Mango Sticky Rice Dessert

    Mango Sticky Rice
    The Spruce

    Mango sticky sweet rice dessert is a Thai classic. Firmer than a pudding, the consistency of the rice gives a nice bite that complements the smooth sweetness of ripe mango. Not too sweet, this is a summertime dessert that will actually leave you feeling lighter and refreshed after a heavy meal. If you like tropical flavors, give this one a try.

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  • 49 of 50

    Easy Dairy-Free Mango Custard

    Easy mango custard dessert recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This marvelous mango custard dessert will win the hearts of both mango and custard lovers. The recipe can be whipped up in just 20 minutes with the use of a blender, food processor, or chopper. Coconut milk adds to the creamy tropical flavor while keeping this custard lower in fat than those made with dairy cream. 

  • 50 of 50

    Thai Mango Cake (Khek Ma-Muang)

    Thai Mango Cake (Khek Ma-Muang)

    The Spruce

    In Thailand, all the big hotels serve their own version of this delectable mango cake. With a coconut cake base, fluffy cream cheese frosting, and a topping of fresh or canned mangoes, it is the fruity, rich dessert of your dreams. Make it up to 2 days ahead of serving, storing in the fridge, for a winning summer dessert.