Hailing from a cuisine rich in diversity and bold flavors, Thailand’s side dishes offer an exciting array of options to complement your main course and appetizers. From classic salads and spring rolls to innovative fritters and rice-based sides, the variety is truly staggering! These Thai side dishes pair perfectly with their counterparts, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that will elevate even the most mundane dishes.
Take for instance roast chicken – when paired with the right Thai side dish, it’s transformed into a culinary masterpiece. The secret to crafting exceptional Thai sides lies in using fresh ingredients. Although some dressings may require multiple components, the end result is well worth the extra effort. Fish sauce, often misunderstood due to its pungent aroma, brings an unparalleled depth of flavor to any dish.
Let’s dive into this list of 15 mouth-watering Thai side dishes, and get ready to take your culinary journey to new heights!
Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
Among the many options for summer sides and snacks, salads are often my go-to choice. However, there’s only so much lettuce that can be consumed in one sitting. That’s why I’m particularly fond of this refreshing cucumber dish, which adds a delightful crunch and subtle kick to what would otherwise be a plain cucumber.
Saucy Stovetop Thai Green Beans
Personally, I’ve found that green beans are often a hit-or-miss ingredient in many recipes. They can easily become bland and unappetizing if not prepared correctly, which is why it’s essential to have a solid foundation of ideas when cooking with them. Fortunately, this recipe has a game-changing peanut sauce that elevates the humble green bean to new heights.
With its rich and nutty flavor profile, you’ll be hooked from the first bite and will find yourself craving these delicious vegetables more often than not.
Thai Coconut Rice
Zeroing in on a great side dish, it’s easy to overlook rice as just a filler. However, with the right approach, it can be transformed into a truly exceptional accompaniment. By cooking the rice directly in coconut milk and seasoning, you’ll create an infused flavor profile that elevates this humble ingredient. Adding some sliced green onions and chopped peanuts on top adds a delightful textural element to each bite.
Thai Tomato Salad
Chopped Thai Salad
Just as a good recipe requires the right balance of flavors, this salad brings together an harmonious blend of textures and tastes that makes it truly exceptional. Not only does its vibrant colors make it visually appealing, but each component works synergistically to create a dish that’s greater than the sum of its parts. I particularly enjoy the dressing, which is so good that I use it on other salads as well – it’s a match made in heaven!
Between the tangy zip of the dressing, the crunchy sweetness of the peppers and carrots, and the satisfying crunch of cashews, each bite is more delightful than the last. Whether you make it big enough to fill you up or add some spicy chicken for added protein, this salad is sure to become a daily favorite.
Stir-Fried Water Spinach
Popping up in many Thai dishes, water spinach is a tropical vegetable that’s distinct from our familiar leafy green friend, regular spinach. Its mild flavor makes it perfect for stir-fries, where it’s often paired with generous amounts of garlic and chilies to bring out its natural sweetness.
When foraging for this ingredient, you’ll likely find it in an Asian grocery store, but if that’s not possible, feel free to substitute it with dark leafy greens or broccoli rabe – the latter has a slightly bitter taste that complements the water spinach nicely.
Thai Green Papaya Salad Recipe
Generally speaking, one of the most striking aspects of Thai cuisine that I encountered during my travels was the emphasis on using fresh ingredients. This approach to cooking allows for an incredible range of flavors and textures, as evident in the numerous dishes that combine fruits and vegetables in innovative ways.
Interestingly, this recipe makes use of green papaya – essentially unripe papayas picked at their optimal ripeness – although I’ve had it combined with both types of papaya before. The subtle, almost cucumber-like flavor of the green papaya pairs remarkably well with sweeter fruit elements, while the palm sugar and lime dressing adds a delightful touch of brightness.
Thai Slaw Salad
Personally, I have always been particularly fond of coleslaw, as its unique texture and flavor combination can significantly elevate various meals. However, traditional coleslaw recipes often fall prey to overuse of mayonnaise, resulting in an overly creamy or even watery consistency. Fortunately, this recipe offers a refreshing alternative with a light, sweet, and spicy dressing that adds immense flavor without compromising the texture.
Thai Peanut Sauce
Fresh from the kitchen, this versatile sauce is a staple in our household, and for good reason – its uses are endless!
Thai Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing
Zeroing in on the perfect combination of flavors is what elevates a salad from ordinary to extraordinary. Adding fruit, such as juicy mango, provides a fresh and fruity twist that complements the existing ingredients. This spicy salad has become a personal favorite, not just because I can devour an entire bowl by myself, but also because it makes for a satisfying side dish. While some may argue that cilantro adds too much flavor, I prefer to throw in sliced red onions for their peppery crunch.
Ultimately, the beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility and adaptability – feel free to customize it according to your taste preferences.
Thai Peanut Salad Wonton Cups
Fresh flavors and textures are essential components of a dish that truly captures the essence of culinary creativity. When it comes to cooking, having a variety of sensory elements can elevate a meal from ordinary to extraordinary. In this particular case, the salad is not only delightful on its own, but serving it in wonton cups takes it to the next level by adding a fun and innovative twist.
This format also lends itself perfectly to party settings, as the bite-sized portions make for easy snacking and are even more enjoyable when topped with a drizzle of sweet chili sauce.
Spring Rolls
Everyone who sees these vibrant creations will undoubtedly be impressed by their Instagram-worthy color palette. They’re simply stunning, and it’s easy to imagine being overwhelmed by an abundance of photographs. This recipe has a unique requirement – a specific type of wrapper that can be found in your local Asian grocery store or online under the name ‘spring roll skins’. When served chilled, these spring rolls pair exceptionally well with the peanut sauce mentioned earlier.
Vegan Thai Corn Fritters
Let’s set the scene for these incredible corn fritters – they’re not your average treat, thanks to their vegan recipe that’s so convincing, you’d never guess it unless you were the one making them! Two standout features are their vibrant red hue from the addition of red curry paste, which also brings a fantastic spicy kick.
Whether you prefer the extra crunch of deep-frying or the slightly lighter texture of shallow frying on the stovetop, these fritters can be cooked to perfection in either method.
Thai Style Fried Peanuts
Zeroing in on the key elements that make these treats irresistible, it’s undeniable that their combination of salty crunch and spicy-garlic flavors is an unbeatable duo. The addition of lemon leaves may not be to everyone’s taste, but they do bring a welcome burst of citrus that enhances the overall experience.
Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Adding an extra layer of excitement to our dish, I have a confession: I actually eat this filling alongside some coconut rice or noodles – it’s just too delicious to limit its use to only being a side! The versatility of the recipe is one of its greatest strengths, and I’m thrilled that you can experiment with different combinations to suit your taste. If you’re looking for something light, yet packed with flavor, then this is undoubtedly a must-try.
One of my personal favorites is using a mix of white and red cabbage for added color and visual appeal, and scattering over some chopped peanuts for a delightful crunch.
15 Simple Thai Sides to Spice Up Your Meal
Instructions
Choosing from a wide array of delectable recipes can be a daunting task, but narrowing it down to your absolute favorite is a great starting point. Next, gather and organize every single ingredient that’s necessary for the dish, ensuring you don’t miss out on any crucial components. With these preliminary steps complete, you’ll be well-prepared to whip up a delicious Thai side in no time – all within the 30-minute mark!
