Top Classic Thai Food Dishes

If you're ready to try your hand at cooking homemade Thai food, these recipes will get you started. Explore Thai soups, appetizers, main course dishes and a dessert. Whatever type of Thai you're in the mood for, you'll find it here at its tantalizing best!

• 01
  
  
  

  Thai Chicken Satay

  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  If you've never had the real stuff, then you'll fall in love with this special Thai chicken satay recipe. Strips of chicken or beef are marinated in a special Thai paste, then skewered and grilled or broiled. It is then served with homemade peanut sauce for a memorable taste.
• 02
  
  
  

  Thai Mini Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

  
  
  
  
  

  

  The Spruce / Darlene Schmidt

  
  

  
  

  Each mini wrap provides a burst of Thai flavors that hit different parts of the palate all at once. It's based on the traditional Thai appetizer miang kum. It will be the hit of the party or you can make a platter to enjoy as a meal.
• 03
  
  
  

  Tom Yum Soup With Coconut Milk (Tom Khaa)

  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  This delicious soup might even be good for what ails you. It's a version of Tom Yum Goong, which is basically Tom Yum soup but with a little coconut milk added for thickness and flavor.
• 04
  
  
  

  Larb Gai Thai Chicken Salad

  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  Larb Gai is a classic, traditional Thai dish that is made with pork in Thailand, but this recipe uses chicken. Fresh mint is a key ingredient. Enjoy it hot over cold greens or on rice.
• 05
  
  
  

  Thai Waterfall Beef Salad

  
  
  
  
  

  

   

  
  

  It's called waterfall beef because of the splashing sound of juices on the hot grill. The beef is sliced thinly and served with a mixture of salad greens and fresh papaya along with a special Thai dressing.
• 06
  
  
  

  Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam)

  
  
  
  
  

  

  The Spruce / D.Schmidt

  
  

  This is the most popular salad in Thailand, perhaps because it's low in calories but packed with flavor and crunch. Cooked shrimp, crab meat, or cashews can be added, or enjoy it with a bowl of sticky rice.
• 07
  
  
  

  Thai Weeping Tiger Beef

  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  The tiger is crying either from the chilies or because a hunter killed his cow. For this dish, you'll marinate the beef and quickly broil it to medium-rare before slicing and serving it with a side sauce. Enjoy it with rice or in a salad.
• 08
  
  
  

  Thai Green Curry

  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Chunks of tender chicken are simmered in a homemade green curry sauce along with your choice of vegetables in this gourmet-style recipe. This dish is very aromatic and beautiful to serve to guests.
  
  
• 09
  
  
  

  Thai Panang Curry

  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Panang curry features warm, rich flavors from Malaysia, Burma, and even India. It's a beautiful red curry usually made with chicken. While there are a lot of ingredients, you'll be processing them together and they will give it the complex flavor.
• 10
  
  
  

  Classic Yellow Curry Chicken

  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  This classic yellow curry hearkens back to the marketplaces and streets of Bangkok. It's made with chunks of chicken and potatoes with prepared curry powder or you can make your own curry powder.