In Part 1, we covered the basics of Thai cuisine and some of the most famous dishes (think Pad Thai and Thai Red Curry). Since it’s been a while, here’s a quick refresher on the ins and outs of Thai cuisine! Simply put, Thai food is fresh, flavorful, and communal. Recipes make use of five main flavors: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy. Presentation is thoughtful and fresh ingredients are given a central role in most Thai recipes. Meals are typically made up of a combination of meat, fish, vegetables, noodles, rice, soup, and fruit. If you haven’t checked out Part 1 of our Thai recipe roundup yet, we highly recommend that you try making the top 5 Thai recipes we showcased there. But are 5 Thai recipes really enough? We certainly don’t think so! Since Thai cuisine has so much to offer, we decided to create another list of Thai recipes for you to enjoy making in your home kitchen. Read on to see our top 5 picks!
#1 Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
We are kicking Part 2 of our list of the best Thai recipes to try off strong with Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps. This fan favorite showcases the fresh flavors and enticing aromatics characteristic of Thai cuisine. The filling is juicy and flavorful while the lettuce brings a light, refreshing crunch. Bonus? These lettuce wraps are quick and easy to make – and very fun to eat! If you’re looking for a Thai dish that isn’t too heavy and can work well as a weekday meal, this is a great choice. Ready to try making this classic Thai recipe at home?
#2 Gai Pad Krapow (Thai Basil Chicken)
While not as well-known as Pad Thai or Thai Red Curry, Gai Pad Krapow (or Thai Basil Chicken) is a dish that you should definitely consider adding to your repertoire! Spicy, succulent, and filling, it’s the perfect warm meal to make at home. It’s also easy to make, requiring a relatively short list of ingredients and only 10 minutes of your time! If you are a fan of chicken and savory/spicy food, this is the perfect Thai recipe for you to try!
#3 Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
You can never go wrong with fried rice! Many cultures have their own take on the dish, and the Thai version is called Thai Pineapple Fried Rice. It's juicy, slightly sweet, colorful, and filling. Depending on your preferences, there are different sauce combinations that you can try. And because it’s so versatile, this dish is also a great way to use up any extra vegetables you may have hanging around in your fridge! Want to learn how to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice at home?
#4 Panang Curry with Chicken
Panang Curry is enticingly aromatic and utterly delicious. The dish gets its unique flavor and aroma from kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and Panang curry paste. Roasted peanuts are ground into the curry paste and peanut butter is added separately to really bring home the mellow, nutty flavor in this dish. Coconut milk adds thickness and creaminess to the curry, while chicken thighs, onions, and bell peppers add bulk and bite to this Thai classic. Whether you are a fan of Thai curries or a complete newbie, we highly recommend making this Thai recipe in your own kitchen. Bonus? The whole thing comes together in just over 30 minutes! Read to learn how to make Panang Curry at home?
#5 Mango Sticky Rice
We couldn’t leave one of the best Thai recipes for dessert off this list! Mango Sticky Rice is sweet, sticky, and utterly delicious. Frequently served in Thailand, it is also popular in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam – and it’s not hard to see why! Mango Sticky Rice combines coconut milk, sugar, salt, and mango cubes into a dessert that feels simultaneously decadent and light. It’s also suitable for vegetarians and vegans, making it a great choice for parties. If you’re looking for the perfect way to end your homemade Thai feast, we can’t recommend Mango Sticky Rice enough! Ready to learn how to make this classic Thai dessert?