If you’re like me, the words Thai food immediately bring back memories of cozy nights with pad thai in one hand and Netflix remote in the other. The only problem? Traditional Thai food usually comes loaded with rice, noodles, and sauces that sneak in more sugar than your favorite dessert. Not exactly keto-friendly.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to give up those spicy, creamy, flavor-packed dishes just because you’re watching carbs. With a few tweaks, you can enjoy authentic-tasting Thai recipes that keep you in ketosis and make your taste buds do a happy dance.
So, grab your apron (or just a big spoon, no judgment), because I’m about to walk you through my favorite keto-friendly Thai food recipes that are bold, delicious, and totally weeknight-friendly.
1. Keto Chicken Pad Thai with Zoodles
Pad Thai is basically the Beyoncé of Thai food. Everyone loves it. But the noodles? Not so keto. Enter zoodles (aka zucchini noodles) to save the day.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 medium zucchini (spiralized)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 lime (for garnish)
- Crushed peanuts and cilantro
Step-by-Step:
- Spiralize the zucchini (or cheat like me and buy them pre-made).
- Scramble the eggs in a pan and set aside.
- Cook the chicken until golden, then add garlic, peanut butter, soy sauce, and fish sauce.
- Toss in zoodles and stir-fry for 3–4 minutes.
- Add the eggs back in, give it all a toss, and serve with lime, peanuts, and cilantro.
Why You’ll Love It:
It tastes shockingly close to real pad thai, but with about 80% fewer carbs. Plus, zoodles have this fresh crunch that makes it feel lighter. Honestly, you won’t even miss the rice noodles.
2. Creamy Keto Thai Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Gai)
This is comfort in a bowl. Creamy coconut milk, tender chicken, and a little zing of lime—basically a warm hug, Thai-style.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 stalk lemongrass, smashed
- 2 slices galangal or ginger
- 2 kaffir lime leaves (optional, but next-level flavor)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Fresh cilantro
Step-by-Step:
- Heat broth, lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves in a pot.
- Add coconut milk, chicken, and mushrooms.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in fish sauce and lime juice.
- Garnish with cilantro.
Why You’ll Love It:
This soup is rich, tangy, and slightly spicy—all the things we love about Thai cuisine without the sugar bombs. I could eat this every night in winter and not get bored.
3. Keto Thai Basil Beef (Pad Kra Pao)
If you want something fast and flavorful, this is your bestie. It’s usually served with rice, but on keto, I swap it for cauliflower rice and never look back.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 lb ground beef (or chicken/pork)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 Thai chilies (adjust to your spice level)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 handful fresh Thai basil
- 1 fried egg (for topping)
- Cauliflower rice
Step-by-Step:
- Sauté garlic and chilies until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in soy sauce, fish sauce, and basil leaves.
- Serve over cauliflower rice with a fried egg on top.
Why You’ll Love It:
That fried egg with the runny yolk dripping into spicy basil beef? Absolute magic. Trust me, this one feels like takeout, but it’s ready in under 20 minutes.
4. Keto Thai Green Curry
Curry night = happy night. But most store-bought curry pastes hide sugar. Look for a low-carb curry paste or make your own, and you’re golden.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tbsp Thai green curry paste (sugar-free)
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup chicken or shrimp
- 1 cup zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- Fresh basil or cilantro
Step-by-Step:
- Heat a little oil and fry curry paste for 1 minute.
- Add coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in chicken/shrimp, veggies, and fish sauce.
- Simmer until everything’s tender.
- Garnish with herbs.
Why You’ll Love It:
It’s creamy, spicy, and customizable. Toss in any keto-friendly veggie you like—eggplant, broccoli, even spinach works. Also, leftovers taste even better the next day.
5. Keto Larb (Thai Minced Chicken Salad)
Think of this as Thai tacos without the tortilla. It’s fresh, zesty, and low-carb to the core.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lettuce cups (for serving)
Step-by-Step:
- Cook ground chicken in a pan until done.
- Stir in fish sauce, lime juice, and chili flakes.
- Add fresh mint leaves.
- Scoop into lettuce cups.
Why You’ll Love It:
It’s light but filling, with this refreshing mix of herbs and spice. Perfect for hot summer days when you want something tasty but not heavy.
6. Keto Thai Peanut Dressing (for Everything)
Not technically a meal, but this sauce deserves its own spotlight. Drizzle it over salads, grilled chicken, or even zoodles.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 tbsp peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili paste
- 2 tbsp water (to thin)
Step-by-Step:
- Mix everything in a bowl until smooth.
- Taste and adjust spice/creaminess as needed.
- Store in a jar for up to a week.
Why You’ll Love It:
This dressing makes even boring grilled chicken taste like something from a Thai street food stall. It’s that good.
Tips for Keeping Thai Food Keto-Friendly
Thai food is naturally packed with veggies, herbs, and spices, but you’ll need to watch out for hidden carbs. Here’s how:
- Skip the rice/noodles. Swap with cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or shirataki noodles.
- Read labels on curry pastes and sauces. Many sneak in sugar. Look for sugar-free versions or DIY.
- Coconut milk over light coconut milk. Full-fat is keto-approved and way creamier.
- Watch sweeteners. Thai recipes sometimes use palm sugar. Sub in erythritol or monk fruit instead.
- Load up on herbs. Fresh basil, mint, cilantro—they add flavor without carbs.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to give up your favorite flavors to stay keto. Thai food, with all its bold spices, creamy coconut, and fresh herbs, is actually one of the easiest cuisines to “ketofy.” With a few swaps (zoodles, cauliflower rice, sugar-free sauces), you can whip up dishes that taste just as good—if not better—than takeout.
So next time you’re craving pad thai or curry, skip the delivery app and try one of these keto-friendly Thai food recipes instead. Your wallet, waistline, and taste buds will all thank you 🙂
Andreas – Keto recipe creator who lost 40lbs and discovered his love for low-carb cooking. 300+ tested recipes | 5 years of keto experience | Real food for real people. No certifications, just results that taste amazing!