18 Asian-Inspired Main Dishes You Can Easily Make at Home

2015-06-09
18 Asian-Inspired Main Dishes You Can Easily Make at Home

Skip ordering takeout tonight and make an Asian-inspired dinner. Recipes inspired by Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Filipino, and Japanese cuisines are all here. So whether you're in the mood for a spicy curry sauce, a big bowl of pho, or a steamy stir-fry, we've got you covered. Put on a pot of rice (because many of these dishes are delicious served over a fresh bed of rice) and try one of our recipes.

01 of 18

Indonesian-Style Beef and Rice Bowls

They might start out with plain white rice, but these rice bowls are anything but bland. Red curry paste and fresh chile pepper (optional if you can't take the heat) give this dish the perfect level of spiciness. Cucumber slices and cabbage add a healthy helping of vegetables.

02 of 18

Asian Broccoli and Beef

Bring traditional beef and broccoli to your dinner table with surprising ease. Slow-cooking the beef in a citrus-sesame sauce makes it tender and juicy. Fresh broccoli adds a bright burst of green.

Buy It: Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker ($75, Bed Bath & Beyond)

03 of 18

Shrimp and Mango Rice-Paper Rolls

It's so much easier than you think to make your own spring rolls. Ready in less than an hour, this vibrant Asian dish by Vietnamese-born cookbook author Andrea Nguyen features rice paper wraps filled with noodles, fresh herbs, cucumber, mango, and plenty of shrimp. The sweet-sour homemade Nuoc Cham dipping sauce gives each bite the perfect amount of tang.

Buy It: Blue Dragon Spring Wrappers ($4.50, Target)

04 of 18

Noodle Bowl with Tofu and Poached Eggs

Marinating tofu in mirin (rice cooking wine), honey, and sriracha turns an otherwise neutral-tasting block of soy into the delicious star of this dinner bowl. Top your noodle and veggie bowl with a poached egg to add the richness of a perfectly runny yolk.

05 of 18

Chicken Adobo with Coconut Rice

If you haven't had a chance yet to dive into Filipino cuisine, this chicken adobo is a great introduction. The chicken takes on the tangy-sweet flavor of a sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. It's delicious served with plain rice, but coconut-infused rice really makes the tropical flavors pop.

06 of 18

Thai Green Curry Chicken

Get ready to bring on the heat. Depending on how spicy you like it, you can add more or less green curry paste to this chicken and rice dish. The coconut milk gives the curry a smooth, rich flavor. Add a boost of nutrients by serving this dinner over brown rice, which has more fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants than white rice.

Buy It: Aroma One-Touch Rice Cooker ($25, Kohl's)

07 of 18

Tiger Cry Steaks (Thai Grilled Steaks)

To give your next steak night a Thai twist, marinate skirt steaks in lime juice, fish sauce, and molasses for 30 minutes before grilling. If you really want to pump up the flavor, make your own Thai steak sauce with red pepper, lime juice, and tamarind. Look for fish sauce in the ethnic food section of larger grocery stores or at your local Asian market.

08 of 18

Bibimbap Casserole with Tofu

Bibimbap translates to "mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables." Here we've created a vegetarian version of the Korean dish, ready in 45 minutes, and transformed into a one-dish dinner with tofu and eggs. Drizzle with sriracha for a spicy finish.

Buy It: Huy Fong Sriracha Chili Sauce, 28-Ounce ($4, Target)

09 of 18

Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken

Sheet-pan meals are easily one of our favorite ways to get dinner on the table fast (and with less cleanup). We've added bell peppers and onions to this Asian-inspired dinner, but you can easily add whatever's in the fridge, such as broccoli or zucchini, to roast in the oven along with the chicken.

10 of 18

Make-It-Mine Thai Curry Pot

Do you ever stare at the meat and vegetables in the fridge and have no idea what to make? This Asian meal idea will solve that problem for good. Use our master formula to make a one-pot dinner featuring whatever protein, vegetables, and curry paste you like. Once it's ready, serve it with rice, noodles, or even pita bread.

11 of 18

Peanut Sauce Noodles with Veggies

Peanut butter works wonders in this tangy, slightly spicy sauce. Toss it with noodles and your favorite vegetables for a delicious side. Or you can make it a meal on its own by adding grilled chicken or baked tofu. For a gluten-free meal, follow the recipe but use this spicy gluten-free peanut sauce for the sauce.

12 of 18

Korean-Style Chili-Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry

You don't need a fancy wok to make your own chicken stir-fry. A large skillet works just as well. Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite stir-fry veggies (we love using green beans and red sweet pepper). Tip: Try the quick-pickled vegetables you'll make for this recipe with other recipes on this list.

Buy It: Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet with Helper Handle and Lid ($76, Bed Bath & Beyond)

13 of 18

Soba Noodle Bowl

This warm noodle bowl is the perfect Asian-inspired comfort food at the end of a long day (or to warm yourself from frigid winter temperatures.). Soba noodles, chicken, peas, and carrots gain a little heat from jalapeño pepper. Be careful when cutting those chile peppers, though, since their oils can burn your skin.

14 of 18

Quick Szechwan Chicken

Feed your family dinner on a budget with this easy Asian-style recipe. Boneless chicken thighs and a myriad of veggies combine with a thick garlic-chili sauce. Top it with honey-roasted peanuts for an irresistible crunch. You can also make the chicken mixture in advance and store it up to three days for fast meals.

15 of 18

Fast Pho

Yes, you can accomplish delicious homemade pho from the comfort of your kitchen. The broth gets a rich flavor due to a combination of fish sauce, cinnamon, ginger, and star anise. Complete your meal with a side of egg rolls or slaw.

16 of 18

Quick Mu Shu Pork

Once you've made mu shu pork in just 20 minutes, you'll be making this Chinese-inspired dinner all the time. For extra nutrients and texture, add your favorite ingredients, like mushrooms and shredded cabbage.

17 of 18

Ginger Shrimp and Vegetables

Our Test Kitchen took the flavors of a classic orange chicken dish to inspire this quick sheet-pan dinner. The citrus-infused sauce is tossed with shrimp and vegetables before a quick roast in the oven. It's a delicious 25-minute dinner for busy weeknights.

18 of 18

Thai Cauliflower Curry

Give your meatless Monday an Asian-inspired twist with this delicious curry dinner. The recipe calls for fish sauce, but to keep it vegetarian-friendly, you can simply use soy sauce. Also, check your curry paste ingredients to make sure it's free of any meat or fish products.

Buy It: Thai Kitchen Premium Authentic Red Curry Paste ($5, Target)

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