13 Easy Thai Recipes for Dinner

Thai cuisine is celebrated for its vibrant flavors, aromatic spices, and perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. From creamy curries to fresh salads, these 13 Thai recipes are easy to make and packed with authentic flavors. Whether you’re a fan of noodle dishes or refreshing soups, this collection has something for everyone. Let’s dive into these delightful recipes that bring the taste of Thailand straight to your kitchen!

Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp red curry paste
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 8 oz rice noodles
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, carrots, spinach)
• 1 lime, juiced
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add red curry paste and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
2. Stir in chicken or vegetable broth, coconut milk, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add rice noodles and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender.
4. Toss in mixed vegetables and simmer for another 3-4 minutes until cooked.
5. Finish with lime juice and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp red curry paste
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1 cup diced bell peppers
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Fresh basil for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
2. Add red curry paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Stir in coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Add bell peppers and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Toss in shrimp and cook until pink and fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in fish sauce, lime juice, and garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Thai Peanut Sauce

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp red curry paste
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Steps:

1. In a saucepan, whisk together peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and red curry paste.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
3. Add garlic powder and adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
5. Use as a dip, drizzle, or marinade for your favorite dishes.

Thai Coconut Curry Soup

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp red curry paste
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup shredded chicken (optional)
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• Lime wedges and cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
2. Add red curry paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and coconut milk, and bring to a simmer.
4. Add mushrooms and optional shredded chicken. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
5. Stir in fish sauce and garnish with lime wedges and cilantro before serving.

Thai Fried Rice

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, bell peppers)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until fragrant.
2. Push the garlic and onion to one side, then scramble the eggs in the pan until cooked.
3. Add cooked rice and mixed vegetables to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Mix until evenly coated.
5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving.

Thai Coconut Curry Chicken

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp red curry paste
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
2. Add red curry paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Stir in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Add sliced chicken and cook for 10-12 minutes until fully cooked.
4. Add bell peppers and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Stir in fish sauce and lime juice.
5. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Best Pad Thai Recipe

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 oz rice noodles
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced (or shrimp)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
• 3 tbsp tamarind paste
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
• Lime wedges and green onions for garnish

Steps:

1. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned. Push to one side of the pan.
3. Add eggs to the empty side of the pan and scramble.
4. Stir in cooked noodles, tamarind paste, fish sauce, sugar, and chili flakes. Mix well.
5. Toss in bean sprouts and garnish with chopped peanuts, lime wedges, and green onions.

Easy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao)

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic and chilies until fragrant.
2. Add ground chicken and cook until browned.
3. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add basil leaves and cook until wilted.
5. Serve with steamed jasmine rice for a complete meal.

Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 oz wide rice noodles
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 lb chicken or shrimp
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves

Steps:

1. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and chilies, sautéing until fragrant.
3. Add chicken or shrimp and cook until fully cooked.
4. Stir in bell peppers, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Toss to combine.
5. Add cooked noodles and basil leaves, stirring until evenly coated and basil is wilted.

Chicken Pad Thai Recipe

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 oz rice noodles
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
• 3 tbsp tamarind paste
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Lime wedges and cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until browned and push to one side of the pan.
3. Add eggs and scramble until set. Mix with the chicken.
4. Stir in noodles, tamarind paste, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Toss until evenly coated.
5. Garnish with bean sprouts, peanuts, lime wedges, and cilantro.

Tom Kha Gai Soup (Thai Coconut Soup)

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced thin
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and chopped
• 1-inch piece galangal or ginger, sliced
• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat chicken broth in a pot over medium heat. Add lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves. Simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Stir in coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
3. Add chicken slices and mushrooms. Cook for 10 minutes until the chicken is tender.
4. Stir in fish sauce and lime juice. Adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Thai Cucumber Salad

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Steps:

1. In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
2. Add sliced cucumbers and toss to coat evenly in the dressing.
3. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
4. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and cilantro before serving.

Thai Crunch Salad (CPK Copycat)

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1 cup julienned carrots
• 1/2 cup edamame, cooked and shelled
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup Thai peanut sauce (see recipe above)

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, combine green cabbage, purple cabbage, carrots, and edamame.
2. Toss the vegetables with Thai peanut sauce until well coated.
3. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
4. Serve immediately for a fresh, crunchy salad.

Conclusion

Thai cuisine is a celebration of vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and the perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. These 13 Thai recipes bring the authentic taste of Thailand to your home kitchen, offering everything from creamy curries and hearty soups to refreshing salads and savory stir-fried dishes. Whether you’re a fan of noodles, rice, or bold, aromatic spices, there’s something in this collection for everyone. Try these recipes to add an exciting twist to your meals and discover the delicious world of Thai cooking. Happy cooking and enjoy the adventure of flavors!