Delicious examples of examples of recipes for Thai curries you can actually cook

Classic examples of recipes for Thai curries every home cook should know

When people ask for examples of recipes for Thai curries, they usually mean the greatest hits—the dishes that show up on nearly every Thai restaurant menu in the U.S. These are the best examples to start with because they teach you the flavor “grammar” of Thai cooking: how coconut milk, herbs, and curry paste play together.

Green curry with chicken and Thai basil (Gaeng Keow Wan)

This is one of the best examples of a Thai curry that balances heat, sweetness, and aromatics. A typical home‑style version looks like this:

You simmer store‑bought or homemade green curry paste in a splash of coconut cream until fragrant. Then you add thinly sliced chicken breast or thigh, a can of coconut milk, and bite‑size eggplant (Thai pea eggplants if you can find them, or Japanese eggplant as a stand‑in). A handful of bamboo shoots, a spoonful of fish sauce, a pinch of sugar, and torn Thai basil go in at the end. Serve it over jasmine rice with lime wedges on the side.

As an example of a flexible curry, you can swap the chicken for tofu or shrimp, and it still tastes like a classic green curry. This is one of the most forgiving examples of recipes for Thai curries for beginners.

Red curry with beef and bamboo shoots

If you want real examples of slightly richer Thai curries, red curry with beef is a great reference dish. You fry red curry paste in a bit of oil, then add coconut milk, thinly sliced beef, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and kaffir lime leaves if you can get them. Season with fish sauce and a small pinch of sugar.

This is a powerful example of how Thai curries layer flavor: salty from fish sauce, creamy from coconut milk, spicy from chilies, and bright from herbs. It’s also one of the best examples for understanding how to cut meat thinly so it cooks quickly and stays tender.

Massaman curry with potatoes and peanuts

Massaman is a gentle gateway for anyone nervous about spice. It’s one of the softest, coziest examples of recipes for Thai curries: coconut milk, warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom, potatoes, onions, and usually beef or chicken. Peanuts or cashews add a little crunch.

You simmer the curry paste with coconut milk, add chunks of meat and potatoes, and cook until everything is tender. This is a perfect example of a Thai curry that works well for meal prep—flavors deepen overnight in the fridge.

For readers watching saturated fat or sodium, you can use light coconut milk and reduce fish sauce slightly. For general healthy cooking guidance, sites like Mayo Clinic and NIH’s nutrition pages offer practical tips you can apply to Thai recipes.

Panang curry with pork or tofu

Panang curry is thicker and slightly sweeter than red curry, and it’s another strong example of a dish that shows up on nearly every Thai menu. You cook panang curry paste with coconut milk until it thickens, then add thin strips of pork or firm tofu. Crushed peanuts or peanut butter sometimes get stirred in, and kaffir lime leaf adds citrusy perfume.

As one of the best examples of recipes for Thai curries for sauce‑lovers, panang is fantastic with steamed jasmine rice or even spooned over roasted vegetables.

Modern and lighter examples of Thai curry recipes (2024–2025 trends)

In 2024–2025, a lot of home cooks want plant‑forward meals, less food waste, and weeknight‑friendly recipes. Thai curries fit right into that. Many modern examples of recipes for Thai curries focus on vegetables, pantry shortcuts, and flexible proteins.

Vegetable green curry with tofu and seasonal produce

One of the best modern examples includes a “clean out the fridge” green curry. You start with green curry paste and coconut milk, then add whatever vegetables you have: broccoli, green beans, carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms. Cubes of firm tofu or air‑fried tofu go in for protein.

This is a great example of how Thai curry can support a more plant‑based eating style without feeling like a compromise. You still get bold flavor and satisfying richness, but the bowl is mostly vegetables. If you’re curious about plant‑based nutrition in general, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate site has helpful, straightforward guidance.

Red curry noodle soup with shrimp

Another 2024‑style twist is turning curry into a quick noodle soup. You simmer red curry paste with chicken or vegetable broth and a little coconut milk. Add rice noodles, shrimp, and vegetables like baby spinach or bok choy. Top with cilantro, lime, and sliced scallions.

This is one of the best examples of recipes for Thai curries that feel like takeout but cook in about 20 minutes. It’s also a real example of how to stretch a small amount of coconut milk into a lighter, brothier dish.

Yellow curry sheet‑pan chicken and vegetables

If you like the idea of putting everything on one pan and letting the oven do the work, this one is for you. You whisk yellow curry paste with coconut milk and a bit of oil, then toss it with chicken thighs, potato chunks, carrots, and cauliflower. Spread everything on a sheet pan and roast until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are browned.

This isn’t a traditional Thai preparation, but it’s a practical, real‑world example of recipes for Thai curries adapted for busy weeknights. The flavor is still very recognizably Thai, but the method fits a typical American kitchen rhythm.

Regional and lesser‑known examples of recipes for Thai curries

Once you’re comfortable with the big four—green, red, massaman, and panang—you can explore some of the more regional and rustic examples of recipes for Thai curries.

Jungle curry (Gaeng Pa) – no coconut milk

If you want a bold example of a non‑creamy Thai curry, jungle curry is your reference point. Traditionally made without coconut milk, it’s brothy, intensely herbal, and quite spicy.

You simmer curry paste with water or stock, add vegetables like baby corn, Thai eggplant, green beans, and sometimes wild herbs, then toss in pork, chicken, or fish. Because there’s no coconut milk to soften the heat, this is one of the best examples of recipes for Thai curries where you should start with less curry paste and add more slowly.

Southern Thai yellow curry with fish (Gaeng Som)

This is a sour, bright curry that’s completely different from the mellow yellow curry you may know. Tamarind gives it a tangy edge, and it’s often made with fish and vegetables like green papaya or cabbage.

As an example of regional variety, gaeng som shows how Thai curries can be sharp and light instead of creamy and sweet. If you’re building a personal collection of examples of recipes for Thai curries, adding a sour curry like this gives you a wider flavor range.

Khao Soi – Northern Thai curry noodle soup

Khao soi is a coconut curry noodle soup from Northern Thailand, usually made with chicken. The broth is built from red or yellow curry paste, coconut milk, and spices like turmeric. You serve it over egg noodles, with pickled mustard greens, crispy fried noodles on top, and lime on the side.

This dish is a beautiful example of how Thai curries can be layered with textures: soft noodles, rich broth, crunchy toppings, and bright, tangy garnishes.

How to adapt these examples of recipes for Thai curries to your kitchen

Looking at all these examples of recipes for Thai curries, a few patterns pop out that make it easier to improvise.

Building flavor with curry paste and aromatics

Most of the best examples start the same way: you gently fry curry paste in oil or coconut cream until it smells fragrant. This wakes up the spices and chilies. From there, you add liquid—coconut milk, broth, or water—and then your proteins and vegetables.

If you’re new to using spicy pastes, remember that heat tolerance varies. Health organizations like the CDC remind people to listen to their own bodies and preferences with spicy or rich foods, especially if they have digestive issues. Start with less paste, taste, and add more gradually.

Swapping proteins and vegetables

Almost every example of a Thai curry recipe can be tweaked:

• Green curry with chicken can become green curry with shrimp or tofu.
• Massaman beef can become massaman chickpea and potato.
• Red curry with beef can easily turn into red curry with leftover roast chicken.

These swaps are real‑life examples of how home cooks adapt traditional dishes to what’s in the fridge. The curry paste and liquid do most of the flavor work; the protein is often interchangeable.

Adjusting for dietary needs

If you’re watching sodium, you can reduce fish sauce and use low‑sodium broth. If you’re managing heart health, you can use light coconut milk or mix coconut milk with unsweetened soy or oat milk to cut saturated fat. For general guidance on heart‑healthy cooking, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers clear, research‑based tips.

These small tweaks let you enjoy many of the best examples of recipes for Thai curries while staying aligned with your health goals.

Putting it all together: a sample green curry you can cook tonight

To make this concrete, here’s a simple, home‑friendly example of a Thai green curry recipe that pulls together everything we’ve talked about.

You warm a tablespoon of neutral oil in a pot, add two tablespoons of green curry paste, and stir over medium heat until fragrant. Pour in a can of coconut milk and a cup of chicken or vegetable broth. Add sliced chicken breast (or tofu cubes) and simmer until just cooked.

Then you toss in sliced bell pepper, a handful of green beans, and some halved mushrooms. Cook until the vegetables are tender‑crisp. Season with fish sauce and a small pinch of sugar, then finish with a generous handful of torn Thai basil and a squeeze of lime.

Served over jasmine rice, this dish stands as one of the clearest, most approachable examples of recipes for Thai curries for beginners. Once you’ve made it once or twice, you’ll see how easy it is to riff—swapping curry paste colors, changing the protein, or turning it into a noodle soup.

FAQ: common questions about examples of recipes for Thai curries

What are some easy examples of Thai curry recipes for beginners?
Great starter examples include green curry with chicken and vegetables, red curry with tofu, and massaman curry with potatoes and peanuts. These recipes use widely available ingredients and tolerate small mistakes well.

Can you give an example of a Thai curry without coconut milk?
Yes. Jungle curry (gaeng pa) and sour Southern curry (gaeng som) are classic examples of Thai curries made without coconut milk. They’re lighter and often spicier, with a more broth‑like texture.

What are the best examples of vegetarian Thai curries?
Vegetable green curry with tofu, red curry with mixed vegetables and chickpeas, and massaman curry with potatoes and cashews are all strong examples. You can swap fish sauce for soy sauce or a vegan fish sauce alternative to keep them fully vegetarian.

Are there real examples of healthy Thai curry recipes?
Yes. Many real‑world examples use lots of vegetables, lean proteins like chicken breast or tofu, and lighter coconut milk. You can also serve curry over cauliflower rice or extra vegetables instead of a large portion of white rice to balance the meal.

What are some examples of Thai curries that aren’t very spicy?
Massaman curry and mild yellow curry are good examples of gentler dishes. You can also make green or red curry less spicy by using less curry paste and adding more coconut milk or broth.

By exploring these different examples of recipes for Thai curries—classic, modern, regional, and adapted—you’ll build the confidence to cook Thai food at home without feeling intimidated. Start with one dish, taste as you go, and let your own kitchen become your favorite Thai spot.