Discover the vibrant world of Thai plant-based cooking with this handpicked selection of my favourite Thai vegan recipes. Over the years, I've spent time living, travelling, and cooking throughout Thailand, from local markets in Chiang Mai to island kitchens in the south. Thai food holds a special place in my heart - it's full of flavour, colour, and freshness, with endless plant-based possibilities.
Index
Jump to:
- Authentic Thai vegan recipes
- My Siamese adventure for Thai vegan recipes
- Why Thai vegan food is so popular (and Healthy!)
- Vegan alternatives for traditional Thai ingredients
- 10 superfood Ingredients in Thailand
- 9 Thai vegan dishes to make at home
- What to serve with these recipes
- Essential tools for preparing Thai vegan recipes
- Discover Thai desserts
- FAQs About Thai vegan recipes
- More plant-based inspiration
- Save & share this post
Authentic Thai vegan recipes
These Thai Vegan Recipes have been adapted and refined in our classes and retreats, where we love showing students how accessible and nourishing Thai cuisine can be with the right techniques and a few key ingredients.
Whether you're new to Thai cooking or looking for new inspiration, these dishes are designed to be simple, healthy, and packed with flavor.
My Siamese adventure for Thai vegan recipes
My culinary adventure here in Thailand is unique as I have been following a 100% plant-based lifestyle for 8 years. Along with my partner Thara, from Maha Sarakham in the northeast of Thailand, we have been having fun adapting authentic Thai recipes and re-purposing them in a 100% plant-based version, while still keeping the integrity of the dish.
Traditional Thai cuisine, at the core, is very healthy and natural, with primal cooking techniques and wild herbs foraged from the jungle commonplace. The problem is, much like all over the world, shortcuts and processed ingredients have infiltrated the original recipes and techniques. Cheap refined oils, sugars, and MSG are widely used, turning what's essentially a healthy cuisine into something that is no longer pure or clean.
My culinary mission in Thailand is to discover, learn, and celebrate the age-old classic recipes and reimagine them in a 100% plant-based, healthy vegan version.
Farmers and growers deserve to be showcased and celebrated for their labor of love to bring us some of the most delicious and healthiest ingredients on the planet.
Why Thai vegan food is so popular (and Healthy!)
Thai cuisine naturally lends itself to plant-based cooking thanks to its abundance of fresh herbs, vegetables, spices, and coconut-based sauces. From spicy soups to rich curries and crunchy salads, Thai food is packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and immune-boosting ingredients like ginger, lemongrass, kaffir lime, garlic, and galangal.
These Thai vegan food recipes are not only delicious but also align beautifully with a whole food plant-based lifestyle. They support digestion, reduce inflammation, and keep your taste buds happy without processed ingredients.
Vegan alternatives for traditional Thai ingredients
Making traditional Thai recipes 100% plant-based can be surprisingly simple. Because Thai cuisine rarely uses dairy, the main focus is on swapping out ingredients like fish sauce, dried shrimp, oyster sauce, eggs, and meat for plant-based alternatives.
Here are my favourite vegan-friendly swaps:
- Dried shrimp → Seaweed (such as nori or wakame)
- Shrimp paste → Fermented soybean paste or miso
- Anchovy-based fish sauce → Fermented soybean paste, miso, or seaweed extract
- Oyster sauce → Mushroom ketchup or a thick soy-based mushroom sauce
- Fish sauce → Soy sauce, tamari, or a homemade seaweed-soy infusion
- Chicken, pork, beef → Tofu, tempeh, or mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, or king oyster)
- Eggs → Chickpea flour batter, red lentil crepes, or silken tofu
- Fish fillets → Grilled king oyster mushrooms, lion's mane, or banana blossom
These swaps retain the depth of flavour and texture you'd expect from Thai cuisine while keeping things fully plant-based.
10 superfood Ingredients in Thailand
Visiting local food markets in Thailand is always a highlight of my culinary adventures. These vibrant hubs are where the community gathers; growers, farmers, and foragers proudly offer their seasonal harvests, many of which are grown just a few kilometers away.
The variety is incredible. You'll find an ever-changing selection of herbs, fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, sprouts, and vegetables - some so seasonal they're only available for a couple of weeks each year. This is what real food shopping should feel like: joyful, spontaneous, and deeply connected to the land and season.
Purchasing local and seasonal ingredients directly from the source is not only more sustainable but also a satisfying experience.
Here's a short list of nutrient-dense Thai superfoods that you may not have heard of - but are well worth seeking out:
- Moringa
- Cha-om
- Black ginger - Thai natural Viagra
- Butterfly pea
- Jiagoulan
- Noni
- Split gill mushrooms
- Betal leaves
- Turmeric
- River tamarind
9 Thai vegan dishes to make at home
What to serve with these recipes
Looking for the best healthy Thai dinner ideas? These simple plant-based Thai recipes are perfect for beginners and experienced home cooks alike. Whether you're planning a Thai-themed dinner party or just want to explore healthy weeknight meals, there's something here for everyone.
Pair these dishes with steamed jasmine or brown rice, a side of Thai pickles, or a cooling cucumber salad. A glass of fresh coconut water or lemongrass iced tea also makes a lovely addition to round out the meal.
Essential tools for preparing Thai vegan recipes
I've added some links to give you an idea of what tools are used for cooking authentic Thai food
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases - at no extra cost to you.
Discover Thai desserts
FAQs About Thai vegan recipes
Yes. Use coconut aminos or tamari as a gluten-free, soy-free alternative.
Most are naturally gluten-free or can be easily adapted. Always check your sauces and noodles.
Look for Asian supermarkets or online suppliers that specialise in Thai ingredients. Many herbs can also be grown at home.
More plant-based inspiration
Looking for more global flavour? Explore our:
Save & share this post
Love Thai cuisine? Pin this roundup or share it with a friend. You can also save your favorites using the "Add to Collection" button on each recipe card to build your own custom Thai meal plan.
Want to explore more recipes? Head over to our full recipe index.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!