What to Serve with Pad Thai (15+ Yummy Side Dishes)
Choosing what to serve with Pad Thai can be a daunting task since there are so many delicious options. I’ve narrowed it down to the 15 best side dishes that are delicious and nutritious.
From traditional to modern, these sides will complement your Pad Thai and leave you satisfied.
I’ve tested and tasted each of these side dishes and can attest to their deliciousness. I’ve also included tips and tricks to help you choose the best side dish for your meal.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Side Dishes for Pad Thai
- Baked Thai Turkey Meatballs
- Carrot Ginger Soup
- Thai Tomato Salad
- Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
- Steamed Vegetable Dumplings
- Saucy Stovetop Thai Green Beans
- Panang Curry with Chicken
- Thai Basil Chicken
- Chicken Satay
- Green Papaya Salad
- Coconut Rice
- Peanut Sauce
- Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
- Spring Rolls
- Stir-Fried Water Spinach
Baked Thai Turkey Meatballs
There is nothing better than a juicy meatball, and these baked Thai turkey meatballs are no exception. Packed with flavor, they’re perfect for any occasion. And they’re healthy too!
When paired with pad Thai, this side dish does wonders for your tastebuds, with its super amazing savory-sweet taste and rich curry flavor.
Carrot Ginger Soup
This soup is the perfect example of how a simple dish can be so incredibly delicious. Made with just a few ingredients, it’s light, healthy, and full of flavor.
The sweetness of the carrots pairs perfectly with the spiciness of the ginger, making it a perfect match for pad Thai.
Thai Tomato Salad
This salad is bursting with flavor, thanks to the fresh tomatoes, herbs, and lime juice. It’s the perfect side dish for a light meal or as an appetizer before your main course.
The lime juice’s acidity cuts through the richness of pad Thai, giving it a light and balanced flavor.
Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
This dipping sauce is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and spicy. It’s great for dipping vegetables, chicken, or meat, and it’s also a delicious condiment for pad Thai.
The peanut sauce adds a lovely depth of flavor to the pad Thai, and the spice gives it a nice kick.
Steamed Vegetable Dumplings
I’m totally obsessed with these dumplings! They’re so easy to make, and they’re packed with healthy vegetables.
The dumplings are the perfect bite-sized snack, and they go so well with pad Thai. The dipping sauce is what really makes this dish sing.
The best part is that the dumplings are so incredibly versatile, and they can be used as a side dish or as an appetizer. They’re light and healthy, and they’re packed with flavor.
Saucy Stovetop Thai Green Beans
The first time I tried Thai green beans, I was hooked. I love how they’re so easy to make, and they’re healthy too.
These green beans are sauteed in a delicious Thai sauce, and they’re the perfect side dish for any meal.
The sweet, salty, and spicy sauce is what really makes this dish stand out. It’s so flavourful, and it goes so well with pad Thai.
Panang Curry with Chicken
This curry is packed with flavor, and it’s perfect for a quick and easy meal. The chicken is cooked in a delicious coconut milk sauce, and it’s served with rice and vegetables.
The curry is the perfect balance of flavors, and it will give you a nice kick. The rice and vegetables help to soak up the curry, making it a perfect pairing for pad Thai.
Thai Basil Chicken
There are only a few side dishes that caught my attention the way Thai basil chicken did. I was intrigued by the fact that it’s cooked with basil, and I knew that it would be packed with flavor.
I was not disappointed. The chicken is cooked in a fragrant Thai basil sauce, and it’s served over rice.
The dish is so incredibly flavorful, and the basil really makes it special. It’s the perfect side dish for pad Thai.
Chicken Satay
These chicken skewers are marinated in delicious coconut milk and curry sauce, and they’re grilled to perfection.
The chicken is tender and juicy, and it’s served with a delicious peanut dipping sauce. The most intriguing aspect is how the blend of ingredients creates a near-perfect harmony of tastes. Whew!
Just take my word for it. The peanut sauce is the perfect complement to the chicken, and it helps to round out the flavor of the pad Thai.
Green Papaya Salad
Have you ever had a green papaya salad? If not, you’re in for a treat.
The salad is made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, and Thai herbs. It’s dressed in a fish sauce and lime juice dressing, and it’s served with sticky rice.
This dish commands so much elegance that it’s easy to forget how simple it is. The green papaya salad is also a wonderful appetizer. But as a side dish for pad Thai, it is unbeatable.
Coconut Rice
How I see coconut rice, it is the epitome of what a side dish should be: Subtle, yet delicious.
The rice is cooked in coconut milk, and it’s infused with the flavor of pandan leaves. It’s light and fluffy, and it’s the perfect accompaniment to rich dishes like pad Thai.
Pandan leaves are often used in Thai cooking, and they give the rice a beautiful flavor. The leaves are also known for their health benefits.
Coconut milk is a great source of healthy fats, and it’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Peanut Sauce
I know that you are probably likely to ignore this side dish, but if you do, you will be missing out, especially if you are a nut freak like me. It’s a great hack to elevate the flavor of your pad Thai, giving it a rich and nutty flavor that balances everything out.
The sauce is made with roasted peanuts, and it’s flavored with ginger, garlic, and chili. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and it goes so well with the noodles.
I like to add a dollop of sauce to my pad Thai, and I always make sure to have some on the side for dipping.
Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
This salad is so refreshing, and it’s the perfect way to cool down your palate after a spicy dish. It’s made with cucumbers, peanuts, and a sweet and sour dressing.
The salad is crunchy and refreshing, and it helps to cut through the richness of the pad Thai. The peanuts add a nice crunch, and they help to balance out the sweetness of the dressing.
I always make sure to have a few pieces of cucumber on hand to cool down my mouth after a spicy bite.
Spring Rolls
Almost everyone I’ve met loves spring rolls, and I have to say that they’re one of my favorite side dishes. They’re usually made with vegetables and shrimp, and they’re served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
The spring rolls are the perfect finger food, and they’re a great way to start your meal. The dipping sauce is sweet and spicy, and it’s the perfect balance to the richness of the pad Thai.
I always make sure to have a few spring rolls on hand, because they’re such a crowd-pleaser.
Stir-Fried Water Spinach
Finally, you would not want to miss out on this side dish. Water spinach is a type of leafy green, and it’s often used in Asian cooking.
The spinach is stir-fried with garlic and oyster sauce, and it’s served with steamed rice. The dish is simple but delicious, and it’s a great way to get your greens.
Water spinach is a great source of vitamins and minerals, and it’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Moreover, it pairs well with pad Thai. So, why would you not want to try it?
A list of other Options
Vegetable Side Dishes
- Chopped Thai Salad
- Thai Slaw Salad
- General Tso’s cauliflower
- Vegan Thai Corn Fritters
- Thai Tomato Salad
- Stir-Fried Water Spinach
- Thai Green Beans
- Steamed Vegetable Dumplings
- Green Papaya Salad
Rice and Starchy Side Dishes
- Vietnamese rice paper rolls
- Coconut Rice
- Spring Rolls
Soups and Sauces
- Carrot Ginger Soup
- Tom Yum Soup
- Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
- Peanut Sauce
Meat and Seafood Side Dishes
- Beef satay skewers
- Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Thai marinated ribs
- Baked Thai Turkey Meatballs
- Panang Curry with Chicken
- Thai Basil Chicken
- Chicken Satay
Miscellaneous combinations
- Thai Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing
- Thai Style Fried Peanuts
- Thai Peanut Salad Wonton Cups
- Classic Thai fish cakes
- Chilli garlic prawns
- Thai lettuce wraps
- Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Pad Thai usually served with?
Pad Thai is usually served with a protein, such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu. It’s also often served with a side of vegetables, such as cucumber salad or stir-fried water spinach.
What compliments Thai food?
There are many things that can be served as a side dish with Thai food. However, some of my favorites include Thai cucumber salad, coconut rice, and soups.
What can I use instead of noodles for Pad Thai?
If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can use zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. You can also use rice noodles, which are gluten-free.
Conclusion
I hope that this list of side dishes has given you some ideas on what to serve with your next bowl of pad Thai. They are all delicious and easy to make, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Just remember to balance out your meal with a few different colors and textures, and you’ll be sure to impress your guests.
With so many options, there’s sure to be a dish that everyone will love. So, go ahead and experiment! And as always, let me know how it goes.
What to Serve with Pad Thai (15+ Yummy Side Dishes)
Ingredients
- Baked Thai Turkey Meatballs
- Carrot Ginger Soup
- Thai Tomato Salad
- Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
- Steamed Vegetable Dumplings
- Saucy Stovetop Thai Green Beans
- Panang Curry with Chicken
- Thai Basil Chicken
- Chicken Satay
- Green Papaya Salad
- Coconut Rice
- Peanut Sauce
- Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
- Spring Rolls
- Stir-Fried Water Spinach
Instructions
- Choose your preferred recipe
- Prepare the ingredients needed to complete the recipe
- Prepare your side dish