When dinnertime starts to feel like a chore, it’s time to look to new locales for inspiration! When we’re craving delicious dishes guaranteed to invigorate mealtime, Thailand’s wealth of aromatic recipes never fails to impress.

The best Thai dishes are delicious and fresh, punchy and bright. Known for the expert way they balance bitter, sour, salty, savory and sweet flavors, they’re beloved for the way they hit every single tastebud.

The second-largest country in Southeast Asia, Thailand is known for its diverse culinary scene. Due to climate and location, Thai cuisine varies from region to region. Northern Thai food is pungent but mild, while food in the south tends to be spicier, with more seafood, due to the area’s location on the Malay Peninsula.

Thai food also reflects the country’s geographic position and history. From pad Thai to curry, Thai food is infused with techniques and flavors drawn from China, India, and Thailand’s neighbors, including Laos and Vietnam.

So, while pad Thai, Thailand’s national dish, is a delectable option, there’s plenty more to sample when it comes to Thai food!

Eager to make some exquisite meals? With these authentic Thai recipes, and a ready supply of RiceSelect® Rice on hand, it’s time to wow everyone at your table!

Our Top Authentic Thai Recipes  

Though noodles are undeniably popular in Thailand, rice is also a primary staple of Thai cuisine. For an authentic experience that’s buzzing with flavor, each of these dishes is made with premium RiceSelect® Rice.

Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad

Based on a popular Thai salad named pla goong, this warm dish makes a bracing addition to any meal. Redolent of lemongrass and lime, tender shrimp are dressed in chili paste and bird’s eye chilis, for a fiery pop.

They’re then spooned atop fresh RiceSelect® Jasmine Rice, for a dish that’s satisfying enough to be served as an appetizer or light main.

Thai Peanut Curry

Made with a slew of popular Thai ingredients, including peanuts, curry paste, fish sauce and coconut milk, this curry dish feels like it was prepped by a pro!

Happily, it’s simple enough to tackle at home, in just 35 minutes. Switch up the protein, or make this with a rainbow of favorite veggies, if you’re not in the mood for chicken.

Thai Green Chicken Curry

Bold and layered with flavor, red, green and yellow curry pastes are a key ingredient in countless Thai dishes. Made from crushed aromatics, spices and herbs, they add depth, fragrance and heat to any type of recipe.

For this comforting dish, piquant green curry paste and luxe coconut cream form the base of a silky, rich broth. Mixed with poached chicken, vegetables and RiceSelect® Jasmine Rice, that zesty sauce becomes a complete meal.

Thai Fried Rice with Shrimp and Pineapple

Though most commonly associated with Chinese cooking, fried rice is also a popular Thai dish! In this sweet and savory rendition, plump shrimp and juicy pineapple partner with stir-fried vegetables, egg, and RiceSelect® Jasmati Rice.

A dash of fish sauce, chili paste and lime juice, plus a sprinkling of fresh cilantro, move things firmly into Thai territory.

Thai Pork Larb Rice Salad Wraps

A light alternative to heavier curries and stir-fries, these pork larb wraps are brimming with fresh, zippy flavors. Layered onto lettuce leaves, generously seasoned ground pork and RiceSelect® Jasmati Rice are a satisfying combo.

Serve this dish with a heap of garnishes, from fragrant herbs and hot peppers to peanuts and the twang of lime, and invite diners to customize each and every bite.

Thai Basil Chicken

Turn chicken night into a Thai feast, with this saucy, 25-minute meal. A simple stir-fry packed with colorful veg and tender mouthfuls of chicken, this dish is enriched with a simple sauce made of fish and soy sauces, brown sugar, and lime.

For added oomph, garnish each bowl with a sunny side up egg.

Thai Massaman Curry

Noticeably different than most other Thai curries, this heady creation combines spices commonly used in Indian cuisine with typical Thai ingredients.

Flavored with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and cumin, its sauce also includes coconut, lime juice, and fish sauce. In this version, chicken thighs take the place of beef, for a weeknight-ready dish that’s pure comfort in a bowl.

Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut

Finished with the mains? Carry the Thai theme into dessert, with this delectably sweet and gooey sticky rice dish!

A crowd-pleasing finale consisting of coconut-scented RiceSelect® Sushi Rice, juicy ripe mango and glossy coconut caramel, this riff on a popular street food is sure to garner raves.

How to Prepare a Full Menu for an Authentic Thai Food Party 

Thai food is known for the way it balances the five basic tastes—bitter, sour, salty, savory and sweet. It’s important, then, to keep these in mind when planning any Thai feast.

Every dish should feature a balance of flavors, brought to life through a fresh blend of bold, delectable ingredients. Often made with noodles or rice, plus an abundance of produce and protein, Thai dishes are often seasoned with kitchen staples such as fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, chiles and herbs.

Full Thai menus are often a family-style affair, with dishes served on big platters so that diners can help themselves. To begin, there may be soups and salads, such as tom yum soup or papaya salad. Then, it’s common to see a selection of curries and stir-fried dishes, along with some grilled meats or fried foods. Though there’s a huge variety of dishes to choose from, common items include:

  • pad Thai, green and red curry,
  • khao soi (coconut curry noodle soup),
  • pad see ew (stir-fried noodles),
  • laab (minced meat salad),
  • and pad kra pao (basil stir-fry).

On the side, you might see spring rolls, steamed or sticky rice, pork ribs, and fresh salads brimming with herbs and bold hits of heat. For added balance, Thai food is generally served with dipping sauces, such as nam jim gai (sweet chili sauce), nam jim jaew (spicy dipping sauce) and prik nam pla (chili fish sauce).

Since no meal is complete without a little something sweet, Thai dinners always include dessert. Often made with fresh fruit, rice and coconut milk, iconic examples include mango sticky rice, coconut jelly, Thai crepes, and banana fritters.

Thai Spices to Explore for Unforgettable Flavors 

Arresting and layered with flavor, Thai food is assembled from myriad ingredients—some chosen for their acidity or spice, and others for their bright aroma, sweetness or verdant tang.

To bring Thai food to life, core ingredients you’ll want in your kitchen include aromatics, such as shallots, garlic and chilies, plus herbs and spices, such as lemongrass, basil, galangal, lime leaves, and fresh turmeric. Also integral to building authentic Thai flavor are fish sauce, soy sauce, curry paste, tamarind paste and palm sugar.