Our Favorite Thai Food Recipes (That Are Better Than Takeout!) (2024)

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Our Favorite Thai Food Recipes (That Are Better Than Takeout!) (1)Taste of Home EditorsUpdated: Jan. 16, 2024

    Make restaurant-worthy Thai food at home with recipes for all of your favorites, including Pad Thai, lettuce wraps, saucy noodles and more.

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    Vegetarian Pad Thai

    This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia

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    Also check out these 15 essential Thai ingredients you need to know.

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    Thai Chicken Thighs

    These very tender and moist chicken thighs come with a tangy peanut butter sauce that is irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    Veggie Thai Curry Soup

    My go-to Thai restaurant inspired this curry soup. Shiitake mushrooms are my favorite, but any fresh mushroom will work. Fresh basil and lime add a burst of bright flavors. —Tre Balchowsky, Sausalito, California. If you enjoyed this recipe, then you must try Thai basil chicken.

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    Also check out our khao soi recipe (Thai coconut curry noodle soup.)

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    Taste of Home

    This recipe is foolproof and well worth the prep time. Kids love the sweetness of the honey, and I serve the slaw on the side so my vegetarian friends can enjoy it, too.—Karen Norris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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    Taste of Home

    Shrimp Pad Thai Soup

    Pad thai is one of my favorite dishes, but it is often loaded with extra calories. This soup is a healthier option that has all the flavor of traditional versions. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington.

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    Thai Chicken Pasta Salad

    I combined several recipes to come up with my healthier twist on traditional pad thai. My version has only one-third the sodium of frozen versions you find in the store. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado

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    Taste of Home

    Thai Shrimp Stir-Fry

    Peanut butter gives this tasty blend of red peppers, snow peas and shrimp its Thai flavor, while ginger and red pepper flakes spice it up. I like to serve the colorful main dish over pasta—everyone just loves it! —Jeanne Fisher of Simi Valley, California.

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    Thai Spinach Beef Salad

    Here's a main-dish salad that's just plain fun to eat. It's crunchy, beefy and has a little kick. Best of all, it's good for you. —Janet Dingler, Cedartown, Georgia

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    Craving takeout? Learn to make Thai-inspired and traditional Thai recipes, like pad thai and pork satay, right at home.

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    Thai Chicken Tacos

    Inspired by a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich, this recipe is an awesome way to use leftover chicken. If you have a little extra time, let the carrot and cucumber marinate in some rice vinegar before taco time. —Melissa Halonen, Spokane, Washington

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    Thai Peanut Naan Pizzas

    I'm a huge fan of Thai food, but don't always have the time to make it at home. To get my fix, I top fluffy naan bread with a ginger-peanut sauce, fresh veggies, a sprinkle of cilantro and a spicy squiggle of Sriracha. —Rachel Seis, Taste of Home Senior Editor

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    Thai-Style Cobb Salad

    This veggie salad is like a mix of Cobb salad and my favorite summer rolls. If you have leftover chicken, toss it in. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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    Thai Chicken Wraps

    Thanks to quick-cooking chicken, convenient broccoli slaw mix, and an easy peanut sauce, you can wrap up dinner in 25 minutes. —Trudy Williams, Shannonville, Ontario

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    Thai Salmon Brown Rice Bowls

    This speedy salmon recipe couldn't be any easier. The store-bought sesame ginger dressing saves time and adds extra flavor to this healthy dish. — Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

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    Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

    For national soup month in January, I came up with a new recipe every day. This one is my favorite! It’s so easy, with just a touch of special Thai flavors. For an even richer flavor, try using whole coconut milk. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

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    Why not pair this with Thai tea? It’s the perfect beverage to balance rich or spicy foods.

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    Thai Chicken Pasta Skillet

    This gorgeous Bangkok-style pasta has been a faithful standby for many years and always gets loads of praise. For a potluck, we increase it and do it ahead. —Susan Ten Pas, Myrtle Creek, Oregon

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    Taste of Home

    Thai Chicken Coleslaw

    My love of Thai peanut sauce inspired this tasty salad creation that always has me going back for seconds. It also make a delicious side when made without chicken. —Jodi Ollerman, West Richland, Washington

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    Taste of Home

    Thai Veggie Dip

    This delicious dip is full of flavor, color and crunch, but not full of calories. There's mild sweetness from the honey with a bit of heat at the end from the pepper flakes. If spicy food is your thing, feel free to add an extra dash of pepper. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

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    Thai Chicken Casserole

    When my family goes out, I can count on someone ordering chicken pad thai. I decided to make an easy version at home. Top it with a sprinkle of peanuts and cilantro. —Sandra Dombek, Camillus, New York

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    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Thai Butternut Squash Peanut Soup

    This seemingly exotic dish is simple, vegan, healthy and hearty. The peanut butter blends beautifully with the sweetness of the squash and Thai seasonings. You can also serve this soup without pureeing it first. —Kayla Capper, Ojai, California

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    Vegetable Pad Thai

    Classic flavors of Thailand abound in this fragrant and flavorful dish featuring peanuts, tofu and noodles. New to tofu? It gives the entree its satisfying protein, for a delicious way to introduce it to your diet. —Sara Landry, Brookline, Massachusetts

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    Taste of Home

    The key to this curry chicken is getting complex flavors without heaviness. For the veggies, I like colorful pea pods, sweet red peppers and water chestnuts. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California

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    Taste of Home

    Thai-Style Brisket

    Here's an unusual take on brisket that will have you hooked. Peanut butter, soy, crisp-tender veggies and zesty seasonings give it the authentic Thai flavor we crave. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

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    Thai Coconut Beef

    My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

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    Thai Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

    I created this salad to replicate one I tried on a cruise several years ago. It goes over very well at family gatherings and potlucks year-round. We love the spice of the Thai chile, but if your family isn't into spice, feel free to leave it out. It will still be delicious! —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky

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    Thai Chicken Noodle Soup

    This slow-cooker soup is a semi-homemade version that coaxes all the flavor out of a rotisserie chicken. The prep work for this can be done the day before so you can toss it into the slow cooker with ease. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Pad Thai

    I love pad thai, but I hate standing over a hot stir-fry—especially in summer. This slow-cooker version lets me keep my cool and enjoy pad thai too. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

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    Thai Peanut Chicken Casserole

    I used traditional pizza sauce and toppings in this recipe for years. After becoming a fan of Thai peanut chicken pizza, I decided to use those flavors instead. Serve this dish with stir-fried vegetables or a salad with sesame dressing for an easy, delicious meal. —Katherine Wollgast, Troy, Missouri

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    Thai-Style Chicken Chili

    I love this Asian take on the classic one-pot meal. This Thai chili recipe is quick, easy, nutritious and delicious. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

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    Taste of Home

    Thai Scallop Saute

    Just open a bottle of Thai peanut sauce to give this seafood stir-fry some serious authenticity. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Taste of Home

    Fresh Thai Asparagus, Kale and Garlicky Mushrooms

    Hit the local farmers market and stock up! This quick, simple side dish is a perfect complement to any meal. The fish sauce gives it a wonderful depth of flavor without much effort. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

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    Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

    My husband loves the spicy flavors in these Thai chicken noodles and often breaks out the chopsticks for a more immersive experience. — Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas. Looking for more? Check out our collection of Thai chicken recipes.

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    Also, checkPad see ewis a popular Thai takeout dish with saucy noodles and fresh vegetables. You’ll need to invest in some novel pantry ingredients, but then you’ll be making restaurant-style noodles in no time.

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    Thai Beef Stir-Fry

    A distinctive peanut sauce complements this colorful combination of tender sirloin strips, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and mushrooms. I like to dish it up over spaghetti, but you could use fried noodles instead. —Janice Fehr,Austin, Manitoba

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    Thai-Style Pork

    A creamy peanut butter sauce coats moist slices of pork in this delectable dish. This recipe is from a friend in my cooking club, and it’s always a favorite. —Amy Van Orman, Rockford, Michigan

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    Thai Red Chicken Curry

    I recreated a favorite red curry chicken dish from a restaurant, and now I cook it almost weekly for my family. On a busy night, frozen stir-fry veggies really speed things up. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois

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    Shrimp Pad Thai

    You can make this yummy Thai classic in no time. Find fish sauce and chili garlic sauce in the Asian foods aisle of your grocery store. —Elise Ray, Shawnee, Kansas

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    Saucy Thai Beef Noodles

    This stir-fry has been a family favorite for some time. I like to double the recipe and add extra vegetables. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

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    Up Next: How to Make Tom Kha Gai

    Originally Published: July 07, 2019

    Our Favorite Thai Food Recipes (That Are Better Than Takeout!) (2024)

    FAQs

    What is good about Thai food? ›

    Thai food is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Many of the dishes are loaded with fresh vegetables and packed with protein for a nutritional meal. Several of the dishes that use spices and herbs will also provide added health benefits.

    Why do people like Thai food so much? ›

    A: Thai cuisine is known for its unique blend of spices and flavors which combine both sweet and spicy elements. Ingredients like lemongrass, chilies, fish sauce, and Thai herbs like cilantro and Thai basil provide a unique combination of flavors that can be very pleasing to the palate.

    What is America's favorite Thai food? ›

    Pad Thai. This dish is made with stir-fried rice noodles, vegetables, and protein, all coated with a savory, sweet, and tangy sauce. It's a favorite among Americans because it's flavorful, easy to find, and customizable.

    What food do Thai people love? ›

    10 Best Local Dishes from Thailand
    • Spicy shrimp soup.
    • Spicy green papaya salad.
    • Chicken in coconut soup.
    • Red curry.
    • Thai-style fried noodles.
    • Fried rice.
    • Stir-fried basil and pork.
    • Green chicken curry.

    What is the unhealthiest Thai dish? ›

    Worst: Red or Green Curry

    Thai curries are usually made with a hefty dose of coconut milk, and that won't do your diet any favors. One cup of the creamy milk packs in 400 calories. It also has 36 grams of saturated fat -- more than three times the recommended daily amount.

    What is the healthiest Thai food to order? ›

    10 of Our Favorite Healthy Thai Dishes, According to a Dietitian
    • Papaya salad.
    • Pomelo salad.
    • Spring rolls.
    • Clear spicy Thai soup.
    • Hainanese chicken with rice.
    • Steamed fish.
    • Coconut lemongrass clams.
    • Garlic stir-fried vegetables.
    Aug 19, 2022

    What is a good Thai dish for beginners? ›

    What to eat? Here are some popular suggestions: Kway Tio (noodle soup), Pad Thai Goong (Thai fried rice noodles with prawns), Pad Kapow Neua (stir-fried basil with beef), Pad See Iew (noodles in soy sauce) and Kao Pad (fried rice with a choice of meat or seafood).

    What is unhealthy in Thai food? ›

    Thai dishes to limit

    These include fried foods and meals that are high in sugar and sodium. Thai menus also include some less healthy options, like fried appetizers and drinks made with added sugars.

    Is Thai food good for the stomach? ›

    Although Thai food is very flavorful, it is also very light, and it can actually benefit your digestive system. In particular, many of the dishes contain lemongrass and coriander, both of which are known to clear up stomach aches and prevent bloating.

    Are Thai people healthy? ›

    The life expectancy of Thais has risen, but there are still inequalities reflected in poor eating habits, nutritional gaps, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

    Do Thai people eat rice everyday? ›

    All this explains why over half of Thailand's cultivated land is made up of rice fields, referred to as “naa”, and why over 80% of the Thai population eat rice every day. Our work at STEF is based in rural Thailand, where the locals refer to meals as “gin khao” or “eat rice”, because rice forms the basis of every meal.

    Is Thai food really delicious? ›

    The intense flavor has conquered the hearts and palates of so many people, so what exactly makes Thai food so special? The diverse array of spices used in Thai food ensure both a tasty and deliciously aromatic meal every time.

    What is Thailand's national dish? ›

    Pad thai ,a national dish of Thailand, is so well-liked around the world that that it has been included in the online Oxford Dictionary since 2022.

    What is the main food in Thai? ›

    Pad Thai (Thai Style Fried Noodles)

    Pad thai is one of Thailands national dishes and is a go-to for tourists who are starting out their Thai cuisine exploration. Pad thai is a fried noodle dish which is usually made with shrimp or chicken, however, the vegetarian option is popular too.

    What is the most popular Thai noodle dish? ›

    Pad Thai. As one of the most popular noodle dishes in Thailand, pad thai is a household name when it comes to authentic cuisine.

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