I love it hot and spicy. So it’s not a surprise when I say Thai cuisine is one of my favorite Asian foods. When I go to any Thai restaurant, I always ask for authentic Thai Hot, just the way they serve it on the streets of Bangkok. But then, finding a great Thai restaurant can sometimes be a challenge. That’s where my journey of cooking Thai food started some 15 years back.
Seriously, if you’re craving authentic Thai food, you really don’t need to look through takeout menus or head to the nearest restaurant. From my experience, unless it’s a genuinely authentic Thai place, you’re likely to end up with something pretty bland. The best way to guarantee those vibrant, bold Thai flavors is by cooking it yourself, exactly to your taste.
Since I have been cooking Thai food for more than a decade now, I can tell you that most Thai dishes are incredibly simple, quick, and easy to prepare, though you’ll need a few essential Thai ingredients. I’ve put together a fantastic list of easy Thai recipes here for you.
It has all my favorites, from traditional Thai curries and Pad Thai to delicious soups like Tom Yum and Tom Kha Gai, and local favorites like Thai Pad See Ew, Pad Krapow Gai, and Laab Meatballs. These recipes are all about bringing authentic Thai flavors right to your kitchen.
You can whip up any one of these with store bought Thai curry paste for some quick shortcuts, or make your own… All good. Go through all and select any, and start experimenting with my favorite foreign cuisine…
Best Thai Recipes
1. Thai Green Curry
Now you can whip up this restaurant favorite Thai curry on any night your heart desires some curry. This Thai curry has perfect big, bold Thai flavors. It looks fiery hot, but you can make it as spicy as you prefer by adjusting the green curry paste.
You can make the same recipe for any protein of your choice. It will turn up finger licking delicious every single time.
Get the Recipe: Thai Green Curry
2. Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)
Pad Krapow Gai, meaning Thai Basil Chicken. It’s an extremely popular Thai street food.
This is for you if you are looking for a really fast meal that’s really tasty. Not only is this Thai Basil Chicken bursting with flavor, you can whip it up in 15 minutes or less. This might be your easiest recipe yet!
Get the Recipe: Pad Krapow Gai
3. Authentic Thai Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew, or Thai stir-fried noodles, is one of my favorite street foods from Thailand. I make this with wide rice noodles that are stir-fried with either beef or chicken, and veggies. It all gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and tangy sauce. Best of all, it only takes about 15 minutes to make, which is perfect for those busy, hectic days.
Get the Recipe: Pad See Ew
4. Beef Massaman Curry
Beef Massaman Curry stands out in Thai cuisine. It’s not the usual fiery, run-for-water kind of spicy curry. I love how it combines tender chunks of beef with a rich, creamy sauce and aromatic spices.
Get the Recipe: Beef Massaman Curry
5. Crying Tiger
Have you ever come across a dish so delicious it could make a tiger cry? Let me introduce you to Crying Tiger, a legendary Thai dish that’s as delicious as it is intriguing. My version of Crying Tiger Beef starts with well-marinated, perfectly cooked steak. Then it’s thinly sliced and served with an irresistibly tasty dipping sauce. It’s a true delight from Thai culinary lore that I absolutely love sharing.
6. Chicken Larb (Thai Larb Gai)
Get ready for a cracking new flavor with this Authentic Thai Larb Gai Recipe! In Laos and Thailand, Larb is more than just a dish, it’s a social experience.
Meet Larb Gai, a Thai chicken salad that’s packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Larb
7. Thai Cashew Chicken
Stir fries are my go-to on busy nights because they’re so easy and quick to make. In many Asian dishes, it’s common to use nuts like peanuts and cashews. I make a simple chicken and cashews dish that’s packed with flavor from a bold Thai stir fry sauce. I like to serve it over a bowl of my favorite rice.
Get the Recipe: Thai Cashew Chicken
8. Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao)
Thai Basil Beef is a super quick stir fry that you can have on the table in about 20 minutes. But that doesn’t mean it’s short on flavor!
Known locally as pad kra pao, this classic dish is enhanced with your usual Asian food staples like soy, oyster and fish sauce, along with some heat from bird’s eye chilis and the distinct taste of Thai basil
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Beef
9. Thai Shrimp Curry
Now when it comes to curry, I seriously can’t get enough of this staple I grew up on. Thai Shrimp curry is easy and quick compared to other curries, yet so so finger licking delicious. This coconut sauce based curry is perfect for your busy weeknight dinner over a bowlful of jasmine or basmati rice.
Get the Recipe: Thai Shrimp Curry
10. Thai Basil Fried Rice
Here’s a little spin on your regular fried rice with a huge flavor upgrade!!
This Thai Basil Fried Rice is infused with such amazing spicy and umami flavors that you will wonder how simple fried rice can be so tasty.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Fried Rice
11. Pad Thai
Chances of you ordering Pad Thai in a Thai restaurant is pretty high, am I right? Why wait to go to the restaurant when you can whip up the same restaurant quality dish in under 30 minutes, right in your very own kitchen.
My Pad Thai is a mix of chicken, shrimp, or tofu along with cilantro, peanuts, bean sprouts, scrambled eggs, and rice noodles, all tossed in a delicious Pad Thai sauce. It’s my go-to easy weeknight meal when those Asian cravings hit hard.
Get the Recipe @ tastesbetterfromscratch
12. Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls
Buddha bowls are so much fun to make and double the fun to dig in. This Thai Chicken Buddha Bowl is full of a rainbow of colors, meaning more nutrients and yummy varied tastes.
It’s healthy, it’s hearty and it’s absolutely finger licking delicious.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
13. Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
I like to make my regular fried rice a lot more interesting and tasty by adding a few extras, Thai style. My pineapple fried rice comes together quickly with simple ingredients. To make it extra special and eye-catching, I serve it in a pineapple boat, which always wows my guests at any Asian-themed party.
14. Tom Yum Soup
This very popular soup from Thailand is one of the easiest and quickest soups you would cook in your kitchen, and it would taste just like any authentic Thai restaurant.
This shrimp soup is loaded with Thai flavors that are achieved by using Asian staples like lemongrass, garlic, galangal, fish sauce, lime juice and kaffir leaves.
Give these fresh and bold flavors a try this weekend. You are going to come back to this one again and again.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
15. Thai Steak Salad
Healthy don’t have to be boring. This hearty Thai-inspired steak salad is a perfect dinner full of freshness and flavors.
I start with sirloin steak, marinate it in an Asian-inspired dressing, then grill it perfectly and slice it thin. I lay it over a bed of greens mixed with cucumbers, cilantro, and mint, and top it off with a sweet, salty, and spicy Thai dressing. It’s absolutely delicious and always a hit at dinner!
16. Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup
Craving some fresh soup loaded with tons of flavors? How about this Thai Red Curry Noddle Soup? Its full of tender bites of chicken, rice noodles, cilantro, basil and lime juice.
This cozy bowls happens easy and quick, too. No need for a round to the noodle house.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
17. Thai Fish Cakes
If you love salmon patties, you should definitely try these sweet and spicy salmon cakes. I cook them until they’re golden brown perfection. You can serve these flavorful cakes as appetizers with sweet chili dipping sauce and a fresh cucumber salad, or make them the main event alongside a side of fried rice. They’re versatile, delicious, and sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
18. Crispy Thai Laab Meatballs
These crispy Thai Laab Meatballs are very peculiar, as they gets the crunch from toasty rice grain powder.
I make them with ground pork and the usual Asian staple ingredients. If you’re looking to explore new flavors in your meatballs, this is the recipe to try. I like to serve them with mint leaves, cucumber, and a prepared dipping sauce for an extra burst of freshness and flavor.
Get the Recipe @ marionskitchen
19. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Looking for a low carb dinner with Asian flavors? These Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps are the way to go. You can make these with ground chicken or turkey.
They get tons of flavor from sambal olek, fish sauce, soy sauce, and plenty of aromatics. I load the meat up with veggies in some crunchy lettuce wraps, and I’m all set. It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy a meal that’s both satisfying and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
20. Thai Chicken Satay
This Thai Chicken Satay is super delish and super easy. It’s perfectly seasoned and cooked chicken in a thick and creamy peanut sauce with coconut milk.
Your answer if you’re craving for satay chicken without going through the skewers route.
21. Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup)
Tom Kha Gai, meaning Chicken Coconut Soup, is a popular soup in any Thai restaurant. Now you can make this extremely easy and quick soup right at home.
It’s a creamy, delicious coconut milk based soup with layers and layers of different flavors along with tender chicken and mushrooms. All you need is a few regular Thai staple ingredients and you can whip this up in no time.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
22. Thai Chicken Thighs
Sometimes I grill my chicken with yummy Thai flavors that really make the dish stand out. I marinate the chicken thighs in cilantro, Thai basil, fish sauce, lime juice, ginger, and brown sugar. They come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
The longer you let them marinate, the more flavorful they’ll be in the end.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
23. Sticky Thai Chicken Wings
If you think chicken wings are just an appetizer… think again. They are excellent when served as mains with a side of some Asian noodles or fried rice.
These sticky chicken wings are glazed with delicious Thai flavored sticky sauce. It’s one of the easiest Thai Recipes that you can cook, with ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.
24. Thai Penang Chicken Curry
You might have come across this name on a Thai Restaurant’s menu. Have you tried it before? Panang curry has peanuts in it, crushed as well as in the form of peanut butter.
This curry is a bit sweeter than the normal Thai red curry. You might end up liking this slightly thicker and creamier version.
25. Fresh Spring Rolls
Now these Thai fresh spring rolls shout summer.
Fresh, colorful and light. With a simple peanut sweet chili sauce, say hello to healthy and fresh eating this summer with these exotic flavors.
Get the Recipe @ tastesbetterfromscratch
26. Mango Sticky Rice
Have you heard about mango sticky rice? It’s a popular, delicious Thai dessert made with warm coconut sticky rice along with fresh mango slices.
You would love to round up your Thai meal with this creamy, sweet dessert, wouldn’t you?
27. Grilled Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers
Now these Thai style chicken skewers are perfect to feed the crowd if you are hosting a Asian themed party. Or, they are perfect for summer night grilling. They are super flavorful, marinated in fresh aromatics along with soy sauce and coconut cream.
I grill them until they’re smoky and then finish them off with a sweet coconut cream glaze. They taste excellent when served with a simple peanut sauce.
Get the Recipe @ pupswithchopsticks
28. Thai Shrimp Cakes
Here is an affordable alternative to pricey crab cakes. These tender, yet crispy, Thai shrimp cakes are pan seared and cooked in under 30 minutes.
Shrimp gets lot of flavorings from different Asian sauces. You will love them as appetizers or even mains.
Get the Recipe @ dishingouthealth
29. Thai Curry Puffs
Looking for some munchies in some rainy day to cheer you up? Try these vegetable curry puffs, Thai style.
Sure winner and delicious. It sounds like a Thai version of my beloved Indian samosa… 🙂
Get the Recipe @ marionskitchen
30. Thai Chicken Tacos
Tacos, tacos… but make them Thai style! I like to switch up the typical Mexican taco with my Peanut Chicken Tacos. I marinate the chicken in a sweet, savory, and spicy peanut butter sauce, then load the tacos with this super delicious chicken, topped with a pineapple cucumber slaw.
The result is a bite of restaurant-quality, specialty taco flavor that’s refreshingly new and absolutely delicious.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
Well, you have ended up with all your favorite classic Thai recipes and some MORE. Every single recipe is loaded with vibrant and bold Thai flavors.
Pin or bookmark this list and whip up your favorite meal any time you feel like some Thai. Let us know which one turns out to be your first try.
Check out these other great recipes collections!
Thai Chicken Recipes
Asian Recipes
Chinese Recipes
Japanese Recipes
Filipino Recipes
Vietnamese Recipes
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Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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This recipe reminded me of a dish from a local restaurant my husband and I order often. We always get Thai Shrimp Curry as you suggested here, so I added fried shrimps. It was very close to the one we order, fresh tasting, and quite delicious!! The curry is complex and truly addictive. I also love the look, the information, and the healthy recipes on your site. I appreciate the numerous recipes that give meatless/vegan options. This is the way my family aspires to eat, so thanks for your support!!!!