Ever wanted to whip up some authentic Thai cuisine right in your own kitchen but weren’t sure where to start? Don’t worry, in this article “5 Best Thai Food Recipes You Must Try” we’ve got you covered. As Thai food enthusiasts, we’ve scoured recipes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai to bring you five must-try dishes that are perfect for home cooks.
Whether you’re a pad Thai pro or just discovering the vibrant flavors of Thailand, these recipes will have you cooking like a pro in no time. With a few fresh ingredients and a little patience, you’ll be churning out dishes to impress all your friends.
So grab your wok, fire up the stove, and get ready for a mouthwatering adventure through the culinary treasures of Thailand. Your taste buds will thank you.
5 best Thai Food Recipes
There are many delicious Thai Food recipes but here are 5 best Thai food recipes you must try to cook at home and enjoy a lot after eating.
1. Pad Thai Recipe – The Famous Thai Noodle Dish
Pad Thai Recipe is one of the 5 Best Thai Food Recipes You Must Try. To make authentic Pad Thai Recipe – The Famous Thai Noodle Dish at home, you’ll need a few key ingredients and some simple techniques.
- The Noodles: Rice noodles are a must. Look for pad Thai noodles or flat rice noodles. Soak them in warm water until pliable, usually 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- The Sauce: The tangy, savory sauce ties it all together. Mix fish sauce, sugar, rice vinegar or lime juice and chili pepper. Start with equal parts fish sauce and sugar, then add vinegar and chili to taste.
- The Protein: Shrimp and tofu are popular, but you can also use chicken, pork or veggies. Marinate the protein in a bit of the sauce.
- The Aromatics: Mince garlic and shallots and have cilantro, scallions, lime wedges, crushed peanuts and bean sprouts on hand.
Recipe:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over high flame.
- Add the aromatics and protein and stir fry until the shrimp is opaque. Push to the side.
- Add the noodles, sauce, and a splash of broth or water. Toss to coat, using tongs. Mix in the shrimp, tofu and sprouts.
- Remove from heat and garnish with peanuts, scallions, cilantro and lime.
- Your authentic Thai classic is ready to enjoy!
Pad Thai Recipe – The Famous Thai Noodle Dish is a delicious, fresh take on noodles you’re sure to make again and again.
2. Tom Yum Goong Recipe – Spicy Thai Shrimp Soup
Tom Yum Goong Recipe is also one of the 5 Best Thai Food Recipes You Must Try. This Tom Yum Goong Recipe lets you enjoy a classic spicy Thai shrimp soup right at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound or as needed get medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and bruised
- 3 kaffir lime leaves, torn
- 2 inch galangal or ginger, sliced
- 3 Thai chilies, split lengthwise
- Mushrooms like straw or oyster (optional)
- Cilantro for garnish (optional)
Recipe:
- Combine the broth, lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil. Decrease the flame, then cook for three minutes.
- Add the lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, and chilies. 10 minutes of simmering will help the spices blend.
- Strain and discard the solids. Bring the mixture back to a simmer in the same pot.
- Add the shrimp and mushrooms (if using) and simmer until the shrimp are opaque and curled, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with cilantro if desired. Serve hot with rice or rice noodles. The balance of spicy, sour, and savory flavors is addictive.
This homemade Tom Yum Goong Recipe may become a new weeknight staple. Enjoy your delicious taste of Thailand.
3. Thai Green Curry Recipe- Creamy and Herbaceous
One of the 5 Best Thai Food Recipes You Must Try is Thai curries, green curry is creamy and herbaceous. It gets its vibrant green color from green chilies and herbs like cilantro. This easy Thai Green Curry Recipe is perfect for home cooks and a great introduction to Thai cuisine.
Ingredients:
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk
- 1/2 cup green curry paste (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 pound chicken (boneless, skinless thighs or breast), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons of either soy sauce or fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Juice of 1 lime
- Rice or rice noodles for serving
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Recipe:
- Combine the coconut milk and green curry paste in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the chicken and bell pepper and simmer until the chicken is opaque and nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Add the green beans, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes more.
- Remove from the heat and garnish with cilantro if desired. Serve over rice or rice noodles.
This Thai Green Curry Recipe is creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor from the coconut milk and green curry paste. The chicken, bell peppers and green beans provide substance, while the lime juice adds a bright kick of acidity.
Put it all together and you have an irresistible weeknight curry that will transport you to Thailand with each flavorful bite. Try this recipe; your taste senses will appreciate it.
4. Som Tam Recipe – The Classic Thai Papaya Salad
To make authentic Som Tam Recipe at home, you’ll need some essential ingredients. The main star is green papaya – look for firm, green papayas that are not yet ripe. You’ll also need:
- Garlic
- Chili peppers – Use bird’s eye chilies for spice, reduce the amount for less heat
- Lime juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is best
- Fish sauce or shrimp paste for seasoning
- Palm sugar or brown sugar
- Tomatoes
- Peanuts – Crushed roasted peanuts add crunch
- Carrots (optional)
- Beansprouts (optional)
Here is how you can put together this delicious and refreshing salad:
- Shred the green papaya into thin strips. You can use a knife, peeler or mandoline slicer.
- Crush the garlic and chilies. Start with 1-2 chilies and add more to taste.
- Make the dressing by combining lime juice, fish sauce or shrimp paste, palm sugar, crushed garlic and chilies. Mix well.
- Add the shredded papaya, tomatoes and any optional veggies to a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over and toss thoroughly to coat.
- Top with crushed peanuts and enjoy! Som Tam is usually eaten with sticky rice to soak up the extra dressing.
- Adjust ingredients to your taste. Add more fish sauce for saltiness, sugar for sweetness or lime for tanginess. Crushed peanuts can also be replaced with fried shallots.
Som Tam Recipe is a refreshing salad with a burst of flavors. Once you’ve mastered the classic version, try different proteins like salted crab, dried shrimp or grilled chicken. Whip up this authentic taste of Thailand and transport yourself to the streets of Bangkok!
5. Thai Fried Rice Recipe – A Thai Restaurant Favorite
This classic Thai dish is quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Fried rice is a great way to use up leftover rice, vegetables, and meat. You really can add whatever you like, but here are some of the essentials:
- Day-old cooked rice: Use rice that has been cooked and refrigerated for at least 8 hours or overnight. Freshly cooked rice is too soft and mushy for frying.
- Garlic and onions: Finely chop 2-3 cloves of garlic and half an onion. Fry them in oil until fragrant.
- Eggs: Crack 2-3 eggs into the pan and scramble them. Then push the eggs to the side.
- Diced ham, shrimp or chicken: Add 8-12 ounces of cooked meat such as ham, shrimp or chicken and stir fry until heated through.
- Frozen peas and carrots: Add 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Soy sauce: Add 2-3 tablespoons of soy sauce or fish sauce for extra flavor. Also add a pinch of sugar.
- Chili peppers: Finely chop 1/2 a chili pepper for some heat. Depending on how spicy you like it, you can add either too much or too little.
- Spring onions: Chop 2 spring onions or scallions for garnish.
- Add the rice, breaking up any large clumps, and stir fry for 5 to 7 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through. Garnish with the spring onions. Your Thai fried rice is ready to serve. Pair it with a crisp salad for a complete meal.
The blend of sweet and savory flavors are sure to make this a favorite weeknight dish or when you’re craving your favorite Thai takeout.
Calories, Fat and Proteins in 5 Best Thai Food Recipes You Must Try
The approximate values for calories, proteins, and fats in some popular Thai dishes. These values can vary depending on the recipe and serving size:
Dish | Calories | Protein (grams) |
Pad Thai | 450 | 15 |
Tom Yum Goong | 200 | 20 |
Thai Green Curry | 350 | 8 |
Som Tam | 150 | 4 |
Thai Fried Rice | 400 | 10 |
Please keep in mind that these values are approximate and can vary based on factors like portion size, specific ingredients, and cooking methods. It’s important to check the nutrition information on the specific dish you’re consuming for more accurate details.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) About 5 Best Thai Food Recipes You Must Try
What is typical Thai food?
Thai food is all about balance of flavors, fresh ingredients, and usually eating family-style. Some typical characteristics of Thai cuisine include:
Spicy yet balanced:
Thai food incorporates a lot of chili peppers and spices, but the heat is usually balanced with coconut milk, lime juice, and fresh herbs. Dishes tend to have a blend of spicy, sour, salty and sweet flavors. If you can’t handle very spicy food, just ask for your dish “not too spicy” or “little spicy”.
Fresh ingredients:
Thai cooking emphasizes freshness of ingredients. Things like chili peppers, basil, mint, cilantro are commonly used. You’ll also find lots of lime juice, coconut milk and fish sauce for flavoring. Vegetables like bell peppers, cabbage, tomatoes and cucumbers are also popular.
Shared dishes
Thai food is meant for sharing. Dishes are usually served all at once and everyone digs in. Soups, curries, salads and noodle dishes are popular for sharing, as well as fresh spring rolls, satays and fried appetizers.
Rice and noodles
Staples in Thai cuisine include jasmine rice and rice noodles. Rice is ideal for soaking up flavorful curries and sauces. Rice noodles are commonly found in dishes like pad Thai, lad na and tom yum soup.
Fresh fruit
Thai meals usually end with fresh fruit like mango with sticky rice, papaya salad or banana roti. Coconut milk, palm sugar and fresh fruit are featured in many Thai desserts and drinks.
Following these guidelines will help you make delicious and authentic tasting Thai food at home. The key is using the freshest ingredients, achieving the right balance of flavors, and sharing the experience with friends and family.
What is the famous food of Thailand?
Thailand is known for its delicious food, and some dishes stand out as must-tries. Here are a few of the most famous Thai foods you should make at home:
Pad Thai:
No list of Thai foods is complete without pad Thai This stir-fried noodle dish combines rice noodles, eggs, tofu, shrimp or chicken, and is flavored with tamarind juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili pepper. Garnished with lime, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts, pad Thai is a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Make sure you have all the ingredients on hand, then just cook the noodles, stir fry everything together and you’ll have an amazing Thai meal in minutes.
Green Curry
Green curry is a spicy coconut-based curry infused with green chilies. It’s usually made with chicken, beef, or seafood and mixed veggies like bell peppers, bamboo shoots, and eggplant. The curry gets its signature green color from the green chilies. Serve the curry over rice to balance the spiciness.
Green curry paste can be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores, so all you need to do is simmer the paste in coconut milk and add whatever protein and veggies you like.
Mango with Sticky Rice
No Thai meal is complete without dessert. Mango with sticky rice is a refreshing treat on a hot day. Sweet mangoes are served with coconut sticky rice, which is rice cooked in coconut milk.
The combination of the fragrant sticky rice and juicy mango is absolutely heavenly. Making sticky rice at home is easier than you might think. You just need rice, coconut milk, sugar and salt. Mix, steam and enjoy!
Thai cuisine has some of the most vibrant, fresh and exciting flavors. Home cooks can easily make restaurant quality Thai food with just a few key ingredients and techniques. Try making some of these classic dishes yourself and you’ll be hooked on the amazing flavors of Thailand.
Conclusion
- So there you have, 5 Best Thai Food Recipes You Must Try at home . Spicy, refreshing, and packed with flavor, any of these dishes are sure to impress friends and family.
- Thai cuisine has something for everyone with its blend of sweet and savory flavors. Whether you prefer the kick of green curry or the freshness of larb salad, your taste buds will thank you for branching out and discovering the wonders of Thai food.
- What are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and embark on a culinary adventure to Thailand without ever leaving your kitchen. You’ll be hooked after the first bite.