My time in Thailand left me starry eyed over the endless parade of side dishes. Think salads that crunch, spring rolls that glisten, fritters you can't stop eating, and coconut scented rice that steals the show.
I crave these 15 simple Thai sides with every main course. They bring all those bright, bold flavors together perfectly.
1. Thai Green Papaya Salad Recipe
The first thing that grabbed me in Thailand was how fresh everything tasted. I kept discovering dishes that turned fruits and veggies into something totally new and thrilling. This recipe calls for green papaya, which is simply unripe papaya, but I've also enjoyed it mixing in some ripe, sweet pieces for contrast.
2. Thai Peanut Sauce
Take my word: you'll want to double the batch and keep a jar of this in the fridge at all times. I drizzle it over salads, use it as a marinade, brush it onto chicken, and dunk raw veggies right into it.
Sometimes I stir in an extra squirt of sriracha and a little sweet chili, and I've even swapped in almond butter when that's what I had. It's ridiculously versatile.
3. Stir-Fried Water Spinach
Water spinach is a tropical green you'll spot everywhere in Thailand, and it's a world away from the regular spinach we know. It's mild-mannered but comes alive in a hot wok with heaps of garlic and chilies. Look for it at an Asian market; if you can't track it down, dark leafy greens or broccoli rabe will step in beautifully.
4. Thai Tomato Salad
Just like the cucumber salad, this one is a simple flavor bomb that snuggles right up to noodles or grilled chicken. That tangy acidity gets me every time, with the lime juice delivering the perfect citrusy pop.
Skip the chilis if you're not feeling the heat, but please don't even think about leaving out the fish sauce. It's non-negotiable.
5. Chopped Thai Salad
I'd happily eat this chopped salad seven days a week. It's a riot of flavors and textures, all dressed up in the most gorgeous, lively colors. I love the dressing so
6. Vegan Thai Corn Fritters
Forget everything you know about corn fritters. These are completely vegan and so good you'd never guess it.
A little red curry paste sneaks into the batter, giving them a gorgeous hue and a warm, spicy kick. Deep frying gives you that incredible, shatteringly crisp crust, but a shallow fry on the stovetop works beautifully too.
7. Spring Rolls
The colors in these spring rolls are straight up made for the camera. You'll end up with a camera roll full of them before you even take a bite.
You'll need those special spring roll wrappers, easily found at an Asian market or online. Keep them chilled and serve them with that peanut sauce I mentioned earlier, it's a flawless match.
8. Thai Peanut Salad Wonton Cups
Texture, texture, texture. I know I harp on it, but it's what makes food exciting.
This salad is already fantastic, but spooning it into crispy wonton cups is a stroke of brilliance. I whip these out at parties because they're so easy to grab and mingle with, and a little ribbon of sweet chili on top takes them over the edge in the best way.
9. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Confession time: I often spoon this filling over coconut rice or noodles because it's way too good to stay in the side dish lane. But when I'm craving something light yet totally flavor packed, these lettuce wraps are my go-to. I love mixing white and red cabbage for extra color, then scattering chopped peanuts over the top for that final crunchy finish.
10. Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
When the weather heats up, I'm all about a salad that feels like a cool breeze on a plate. But honestly, a girl can only face so many bowls of lettuce before boredom sets in. Enter this cucumber number: it's snappy and refreshing, kissed with just the right flicker of heat to wake up those mild, juicy slices.
11. Thai Slaw Salad
Coleslaw and I go way back. I love that crunchy, sweet, creamy lift it gives a meal.
But sometimes it drowns in mayo and goes limp. This version has a brilliant light dressing that's sweet and spicy in all the right ways, piling on the flavor while keeping everything crisp and perky.
12. Saucy Stovetop Thai Green Beans
Green beans and I have a complicated history. Without the perfect recipe, they can lean a little plain and forgettable.
But this version changes everything. That peanut sauce?
It's mind blowingly good, the kind of saucy, savory magic that makes you want to pile these alongside every meal. I'm so serious about this.
13. Thai Style Fried Peanuts
I know it sounds dramatic, but these fried peanuts are dangerously addictive. The salty crunch backed by that garlicky heat means you'll need to make twice as much as you think. I'm not always reaching for the lemon leaves, but I have to admit they lend a lovely whisper of citrus.
14. Thai Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing
Tossing fruit into a salad isn't a brand new idea, but I wish we did it more often. Sweet mango gives this one a juicy, fresh lift that feels absolutely meant to be.
I will happily devour an entire bowl all on my own, though it also holds its own as a satisfying side. I like tossing in slivers of red onion for that peppery bite, and if cilantro makes you cringe, just skip it.
15. Thai Coconut Rice
Rice deserves way more than just sitting politely on the plate as a backdrop. I'm a huge fan of sides that deliver big flavor without a lot of fuss.
Simmering the grains directly in coconut milk with all the seasonings lets every single bite soak up that incredible, creamy richness. It's quick and dreamy, and it'll outshine almost anything else on the table.