Looking for Thai side dishes to round out your meal?
From jasmine rice and noodles to crisp salads and flavorful vegetables, there are plenty of easy side dishes that pair well with curries, chicken, beef, seafood and other Thai-inspired favorites.
Below you’ll find a mix of recipes, including rice and noodle dishes, fresh salads, spring rolls.
Choose something cool and crisp to balance a spicy main dish, or add rice or noodles when you want to make dinner more filling.
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What Are Some Good Side Dishes to Serve With Thai Food?
Popular choices include jasmine or coconut rice, noodles, spring rolls, cucumber salad and stir-fried vegetables.
For a well-rounded meal, choose a side that contrasts with your main dish — something cool and crunchy with a spicy entrée, for example, or rice with a saucy curry.
What to Serve With Thai Curry
The best side dishes are usually simple enough to let the curry be the star. Jasmine rice is a classic because it absorbs the sauce, while coconut rice adds a little sweetness.
For something besides rice, try cucumber salad, spring rolls or lightly seasoned vegetables.
Thai Vegetable Side Dishes
Green beans, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, snow peas and leafy greens are all great options for adding vegetables to your meal. They can be stir-fried, steamed or tossed into a fresh salad with Thai-inspired flavors like lime, ginger, sesame or peanut.
Easy Thai Side Dish Recipes
Ready to plan your meal? Browse the recipes below for rice, noodles, salads, vegetables, spring rolls and more.
Rice & Noodle Sides
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Thai Jasmine Rice
Fragrant jasmine rice is soft, fluffy and mild enough to pair with just about any Thai entrée. It’s one of the best Thai curry side dishes because it soaks up all that extra sauce, and the preparation couldn’t be much simpler.
Creamy coconut milk gives fluffy rice a subtle sweetness and rich coconut flavor. It pairs especially well with spicy Thai curries and is an easy way to make basic rice feel a little more special.
This colorful quinoa salad is crunchy, fresh and tossed with a creamy ginger peanut dressing. It’s a great choice when you want a more substantial Thai-inspired side that can be made ahead and served cold.
Sweet pineapple gives this savory fried rice just the right amount of sweetness in every bite. It’s an easy Thai side dish for chicken, shrimp or curry and a great way to turn leftover rice into something completely different.
Soft, chewy and slightly sticky, this rice is perfect for scooping up sauces and serving alongside flavorful Thai dishes. It's a simple alternative to jasmine rice and a particularly good choice with grilled meats, curries and spicy dishes.
Tender noodles coated in a creamy, savory peanut sauce make this side a little richer and more filling. They’re easy to prepare and a great choice when you want something besides rice to serve with Thai chicken or vegetables.
Tender bok choy with crisp stems and plenty of garlicky flavor makes an easy vegetable side for a Thai-inspired dinner. It cooks quickly in one pan, making it especially useful when the rest of your meal needs most of your attention.
Crisp-tender snow peas are quickly cooked with garlic and ginger for a simple vegetable side with lots of flavor. They’re quick enough for a weeknight and work especially well when your main dish is already rich or saucy.
Water spinach is quickly stir-fried with garlic and seasonings until tender while still keeping a little bite. This classic Thai vegetable side is a great pick when you want something savory and green without adding another heavy dish to the table.
Tender eggplant and aromatic basil make this stir-fry savory, slightly sweet and full of Thai-inspired flavor. It’s a satisfying vegetable side that's easy to pair with rice, noodles or a simple protein.
Crisp green beans get a flavorful Thai-inspired twist that makes them much more interesting than plain steamed vegetables. They’re an easy vegetable side for curry, chicken, beef or seafood and don't require much extra work.
Tender-crisp cabbage is quickly stir-fried with savory seasonings for an easy Thai vegetable side dish. It uses inexpensive ingredients, cooks quickly and is a great option when you need a simple vegetable to serve with rice, curry or meat.
Cool, crisp cucumbers are tossed in a tangy dressing for a refreshing Thai side dish. It’s especially good with spicy curries or richer entrées, and it comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
Crunchy vegetables and a spicy peanut vinaigrette give this chopped Thai salad plenty of texture and flavor. Serve it with grilled meats or a rich curry when you want something fresh to balance the meal.
Crunchy cabbage and carrots are tossed with a sesame dressing for a colorful, fresh side dish. Since it can be prepared ahead and served cold, it’s an easy choice for balancing spicy or heavier Thai dishes.
Crunchy green papaya tossed with a tangy, spicy dressing makes this Thai salad fresh and bright. It’s especially good alongside rich curries or grilled meats when you want a side that adds plenty of crunch and acidity.
Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls Recipe with Peanut Sesame Dipping Sauce
Fresh vegetables wrapped in soft rice paper make these spring rolls light, crunchy and refreshing, with a creamy peanut sesame sauce for dipping. They’re a fun alternative to fried appetizers and pair especially well with curries and noodle dishes.
Crispy on the outside and tender inside, these Thai corn fritters combine sweet corn with savory, spicy flavors. They’re a fun change from rice or salad and work well when you want a Thai side dish that can also double as an appetizer.
Reesa Lewandowski is the creator of Momma Lew, a New Jersey-based food blog where she shares easy, family-friendly recipes inspired by everyday life. A mom of two teenagers and a self-taught cook and baker, Reesa has spent over a decade developing simple, approachable meals—from quick weeknight dinners to festive desserts—all tested in her own kitchen. Her recipes focus on comfort food with a modern twist, seasonal favorites, and stress-free baking. Drawing inspiration from her Jersey roots, Reesa’s goal is to help busy families enjoy delicious meals without the fuss.
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