A good BBQ doesn’t have to be all burgers and sausages! I love bringing Thai flavors to a Western-style backyard BBQ with marinated grilled meats, fresh seafood, crunchy salads, sticky rice, and plenty of homemade dipping sauces.
The best part is that you can prepare much of the food ahead of time. Make a few dipping sauces, marinate the meat, prep your vegetables, and leave the grilling for when everyone arrives. You can make all of these recipes on a charcoal grill or a regular outdoor BBQ. Just pick your favorites and start planning your menu.
I recently bought a Weber BBQ myself, mainly because I want to make more Thai-inspired grilled food at home. I’ll be trying out these Thai BBQ menu ideas on it and I’ll share my own tips and experiences along the way.
I’ve divided this Thai-inspired BBQ guide into four sections to make planning easier: grilled meats, seafood, dipping sauces, and sides and salads. You don’t need to make everything. Pick a few dishes from each section, prepare the sauces and sides ahead, and let everyone enjoy a relaxed BBQ together.
Grilled meats
We’ll start with the most important part of any BBQ: the meat! Thai marinades combine savory, sweet, and aromatic ingredients, giving the meat plenty of flavor, even without a dipping sauce.
Moo yang (Thai grilled pork)
Moo yang is Thai-style grilled pork with a savory, slightly sweet marinade. We typically use pork neck because it has just the right amount of fat to keep the meat juicy on the grill. It’s a great choice for a BBQ because you can grill it whole or slice it and let everyone help themselves.
Moo ping (Thai grilled pork skewers)
Moo ping is one of Thailand’s favorite street foods. These pork skewers have a sweet and savory marinade and develop delicious caramelized edges on the grill. They’re easy to pick up and eat, making them perfect for a BBQ party. They’re also a great choice for kids and are typically eaten without a dipping sauce.
Chicken satay
Everyone knows Thai chicken satay, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Tender pieces of marinated chicken are threaded onto skewers and grilled until lightly charred. Serve them with homemade Thai peanut sauce for dipping. I’ll share the sauce recipe in the dipping sauces section later!
Gai yang (Thai grilled chicken)
Gai yang is one of Thailand’s most popular grilled chicken dishes. The chicken is marinated with garlic, peppercorns, coriander, and Thai sauces before being grilled until the skin is beautifully golden and the meat is juicy and tender. For me, this is a must at any BBQ party!
Beef satay
If you want to add beef to your BBQ spread, Thai beef satay is a great option. The meat is marinated, threaded onto skewers, and grilled until nicely browned. Serve it with peanut sauce for a classic combination.
Grilled chicken wings
These Thai chicken wings are made for sharing. They’re easy to prepare in advance, cook relatively quickly, and taste wonderful with a little char from the grill. Make a big batch because these tend to disappear quickly!
Grilled ribs
A good marinade gives these Thai ribs plenty of flavor, while the grill adds smoky notes and beautifully caramelized edges.
Tips for grilling meat
A little preparation makes grilling much easier, especially when you’re cooking for several people.
- Marinate ahead: Give your meat enough time to absorb the marinade. You can prepare most marinades the day before and keep the meat covered in the refrigerator.
- Don’t overcrowd the grill: Leave space between the pieces so the heat can circulate and the meat can brown properly.
- Use different heat zones: If your grill allows it, keep one area hotter for searing and another cooler for cooking thicker pieces more gently.
- Watch the sugar: Thai marinades often contain palm sugar or other sweet ingredients. They help create those lovely caramelized edges, but they can burn over high heat. Use moderate heat and turn the meat regularly.
Seafood
Seafood is another great addition to a Thai-style BBQ. Shrimp, squid, and whole fish are all delicious cooked over charcoal or on an outdoor grill. They’re also wonderful with the fresh, spicy flavors of Thai seafood sauce.
Thai shrimp satay
Shrimp satay is a fun alternative to the usual meat skewers. The shrimp cook quickly, making them great when you want something that doesn’t take long on the grill. Thread them onto skewers to make them easy to turn and serve.
Grilled squid
Thai grilled squid develops a lovely smoky flavor over the grill and pairs particularly well with a fresh, spicy seafood dipping sauce. Avoid cooking it for too long, as squid can become tough and chewy.
Pla pao (Thai grilled fish)
Pla pao is a traditional Thai grilled fish dish. The whole fish is coated in a salt crust and grilled until the flesh is moist and tender. It’s usually served with fresh herbs, vegetables, and a spicy Thai seafood dipping sauce.
Tips for grilling seafood
Seafood doesn’t need much preparation, but a few small details make a difference.
- Prepare seafood close to grilling time: You can clean and portion it ahead, but keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to cook.
- Use skewers for smaller pieces: Shrimp and smaller seafood pieces are easier to handle when threaded onto skewers.
- Don’t overcook it: Shrimp turn opaque and firm when cooked, while squid needs careful attention to avoid becoming rubbery.
- Keep the grill clean: Seafood can stick easily, so clean and lightly oil the grill grates before cooking.
Thai dipping sauces
For me, no Thai-style BBQ is complete without a few dipping sauces on the table. They bring everything together and let everyone choose how spicy, sour, or savory they want their food.
I recommend preparing at least two or three different sauces so there’s something to go with every dish.
Nam jim jaew
Nam jim jaew is the spicy, sour, salty, and slightly sweet sauce we love to eat with grilled chicken, pork, and beef. Toasted rice powder gives it a distinctive aroma and texture.
This is the sauce you need if you love grilled meat. If you’re serving several grilled meat dishes, make a generous bowl!
Nam jim seafood
Nam jim talay is the Thai sauce that’s made for grilled seafood. Its combination of chilies, garlic, lime juice, and fish sauce works beautifully with shrimp, squid, and grilled fish.
Thai hot sauce
If your guests enjoy a little extra heat, put a bottle or bowl of Thai hot sauce on the table. It’s a versatile option that works with both grilled meats and seafood. You can also use a store-bought version, such as Thai Sriracha.
Mookata sauce (Thai BBQ sauce)
Mookata sauce is another great all-rounder. It’s traditionally served with Thai mookata and hot pot, but it also works well as a dipping sauce for this BBQ.
Peanut sauce
You can’t have satay without Thai peanut sauce! This creamy, savory sauce has a lovely balance of sweet, salty, and slightly spicy flavors. It’s traditionally served with satay, but you can also put it on the table for anyone who wants something different to dip their grilled meat into.
Make your dipping sauces ahead! One of the easiest ways to make BBQ day less stressful is to prepare your sauces in advance.
Sides and salads
A good BBQ needs more than grilled meat. Fresh salads, crunchy vegetables, and sticky rice help balance the grilled dishes and make the whole spread feel complete.
These are some of my favorite Thai sides to serve alongside grilled food.
Som tam (Papaya salad)
Som tam is a classic Thai papaya salad made with shredded green papaya, chilies, lime juice, fish sauce, and other fresh ingredients. Its spicy, refreshing flavors work incredibly well alongside grilled meats.
Thai cucumber salad
Traditionally eaten alongside satay, Thai cucumber salad is a refreshing side with crisp cucumber and a tangy dressing. It helps balance the richer flavors of marinated meats and skewers.
Thai corn salad
Thai corn salad adds something fresh and crunchy to the table. It’s a nice option when you want a side dish that’s easy to scoop and share.
Peanut chicken pasta salad
If you’re hosting a Western-style backyard BBQ, this peanut chicken pasta salad is a great addition. It’s filling, easy to serve, and brings Thai-inspired peanut flavors to a familiar BBQ side dish.
Sticky rice
Sticky rice is one of the most important sides for an Isan-style meal. It’s especially good with gai yang, moo yang, moo ping, and nam jim jaew.
Serve it in a basket or covered bowl to keep it warm and soft. Guests can take a small handful and enjoy it with their grilled meat and dipping sauce.
Prepare your salads and sides ahead!
You don’t want to be chopping vegetables and making salads while everyone is waiting for the BBQ to start.
- Wash and prep vegetables early: Wash, dry, and chop your vegetables ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Keep dressings separate: For most salads, prepare the dressing in advance but wait until shortly before serving to toss everything together. This helps keep the vegetables crisp.
- Prepare sticky rice close to serving: Sticky rice is best served warm and freshly cooked. Keep it covered so it doesn’t dry out.
More tips for hosting a Thai-inspired BBQ
Once you’ve chosen your recipes, a little planning makes the whole day easier. Here are a few things I’d keep in mind when hosting.
Enjoy your Thai BBQ party!
A Thai-inspired BBQ is about having fun and bringing together friends and family to enjoy grilled food, fresh salads, sticky rice, and dipping sauces.
Prepare as much as you can the day before, make a few different sauces, and let the grill do the rest. There’s no need to spend the whole party in the kitchen. Get everyone around the table, share the food, and enjoy!
I hope you found a few Thai recipes for the grill you’d like to try! Let me know in the comments which dishes you’d choose for your Thai BBQ party.