Vegetarian Thai Recipe Book: Delicious Easy Meals to Try

Updated On: October 1, 2025

Thai cuisine is renowned worldwide for its vibrant flavors, aromatic spices, and fresh ingredients. For vegetarians looking to dive into this colorful world of taste, a vegetarian Thai recipe book is a treasure trove of delicious and wholesome meal ideas.

Whether you’re craving the tangy zest of a green papaya salad or the comforting warmth of a coconut curry, these recipes bring authentic Thai dishes to your kitchen with a plant-based twist. Thai cooking emphasizes balance—spicy, sweet, sour, and salty—making vegetarian meals exciting and satisfying without relying on meat or fish sauces.

In this blog, we’ll explore why a vegetarian Thai recipe book deserves a spot on your cookbook shelf. We’ll also share a detailed recipe for a classic Thai dish, highlighting key ingredients, equipment, and cooking tips that make this cuisine so irresistible.

If you love exploring international vegetarian meals, be sure to check out our other recipes like Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals and Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious for more inspiration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegetarian Thai recipe captures the essence of Thailand’s bold flavors using fresh herbs, rich coconut milk, and a mix of crunchy vegetables. It’s perfect for those who want a quick yet impressive meal that delivers on taste and nutrition.

The versatile nature of these recipes means you can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand, making it ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Beyond the deliciousness, these recipes are also a great way to explore plant-based cooking with ingredients that are both accessible and affordable. Plus, making vegetarian Thai dishes at home allows control over sodium and spice levels, perfect for customizing to your family’s preferences.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut milk (full fat for creaminess)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or coconut oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1-2 Thai red chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup firm tofu, cubed
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 medium carrot, julienned
  • 1/2 cup snap peas, trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • Fresh Thai basil leaves for garnish
  • Cooked jasmine rice for serving

Equipment

  • Large non-stick skillet or wok
  • Sharp knife for chopping vegetables
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
  • Serving bowls

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in your skillet or wok over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped Thai chilies. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Add the cubed tofu to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until the tofu is lightly browned on all sides.
  4. Add the sliced red bell pepper, broccoli florets, julienned carrot, and snap peas. Stir-fry the vegetables for 5-7 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
  5. Pour in the coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine all the flavors and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Let the curry simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
  7. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh Thai basil leaves.
  8. Serve hot over cooked jasmine rice for a complete, satisfying meal.

Tips & Variations

For a nuttier flavor, try adding crushed peanuts or cashews as a garnish.

Swap tofu with tempeh or chickpeas for protein variations.

If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the Thai red chilies.

Make it gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce.

To make this dish even more authentic, consider adding a splash of vegetarian fish sauce or using kaffir lime leaves for extra aroma. Experimenting with different vegetables like baby corn, eggplant, or mushrooms can add exciting new textures.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Calories 320 kcal
Protein 15 g
Carbohydrates 25 g
Fat 18 g
Fiber 5 g
Sodium 450 mg

Serving Suggestions

This vegetarian Thai curry pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or fragrant coconut rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. For lighter options, try serving it over quinoa or cauliflower rice.

Complement your meal with a fresh Thai cucumber salad or spring rolls for an appetizer. For dessert, check out our Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious to round off your Thai-inspired dinner on a sweet note.

Conclusion

A vegetarian Thai recipe book is a wonderful gateway into the world of Southeast Asian plant-based cooking. The recipes offer vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and wholesome nutrition, making them perfect for anyone looking to diversify their vegetarian meal plans.

With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can recreate authentic Thai dishes in your own kitchen without the need for complicated techniques or hard-to-find products.

Exploring vegetarian Thai cuisine not only enhances your cooking repertoire but also introduces you to a culture that celebrates balance and harmony in every bite. For more exciting vegetarian recipes, don’t forget to explore our collection, including Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas and Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals.

Happy cooking and enjoy the delicious journey!

📖 Recipe Card: Vegetarian Thai Green Curry

Description: A flavorful and creamy Thai green curry made with fresh vegetables and tofu. Perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT35M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp green curry paste
  • 1 can (400 ml) coconut milk
  • 200 g firm tofu, cubed
  • 1 cup eggplant, diced
  • 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Cooked jasmine rice, to serve

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add green curry paste and sauté for 2 minutes.
  3. Pour in coconut milk and water, bring to a simmer.
  4. Add tofu and vegetables, cook for 10 minutes until tender.
  5. Stir in soy sauce and brown sugar.
  6. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with jasmine rice.

Nutrition: Calories: 350 kcal | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 25 g | Carbs: 20 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetarian Thai Green Curry”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A flavorful and creamy Thai green curry made with fresh vegetables and tofu. Perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT35M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 tbsp vegetable oil”, “2 tbsp green curry paste”, “1 can (400 ml) coconut milk”, “200 g firm tofu, cubed”, “1 cup eggplant, diced”, “1 cup bell peppers, sliced”, “1 cup green beans, trimmed”, “1 tbsp soy sauce”, “1 tsp brown sugar”, “Fresh basil leaves, for garnish”, “1/2 cup water”, “Cooked jasmine rice, to serve”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add green curry paste and saut\u00e9 for 2 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in coconut milk and water, bring to a simmer.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add tofu and vegetables, cook for 10 minutes until tender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in soy sauce and brown sugar.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with basil leaves and serve with jasmine rice.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “15 g”, “fatContent”: “25 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “20 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X