The Perfect Pad Thai Recipe: A Zesty Thai Classic at Home

Tangy, vibrant pad thai sings with authentic thai street food flavors that dance across your palate.

This classic noodle dish bursts with umami and complex textures that make every bite memorable.

Woks sizzle with fresh ingredients, blending sweet, sour, and savory notes into a culinary masterpiece.

Tender rice noodles tangle with succulent proteins and crisp vegetables, creating a harmony of tastes.

Authentic pad thai brings the bustling streets of Bangkok right to your kitchen, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Cooking this beloved recipe connects you to generations of thai culinary tradition.

Prepare to embark on a delicious journey that will transport your taste buds to Southeast Asia.

Pad Thai Flavor Highlights

• Perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen, this Pad Thai delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• No need to order takeout when you can create restaurant-quality Thai cuisine right at home, impressing family and friends with your culinary skills.
• Easily adaptable recipe lets you swap proteins like chicken or tofu, adjust spice levels, and add your favorite vegetables, making it a versatile meal for different tastes and dietary preferences.
• Packed with protein from shrimp, balanced with fresh vegetables and rice noodles, this dish offers a complete meal that's both satisfying and wholesome.

What Goes in Classic Pad Thai

• Rice Noodles: Soft and chewy wheat-based noodles that form the base of this classic Thai dish.
• Shrimp: Tender seafood protein that adds delicious flavor and texture to the Pad Thai.
• Eggs: Provide richness and additional protein to the stir-fried noodle dish.

• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and traditional Thai flavor profile.
• Sauce Ingredients: A combination of seasonings that create the signature sweet, tangy, and savory Pad Thai taste.

• Scallions, Dark and Light: Fresh onion-like herb that adds color and sharp flavor to the dish.
• Peanuts, Bean Sprouts, Cilantro: Crunchy and fresh toppings that provide texture and additional flavor complexity.
• Lime Wedges: Citrus garnish that brightens the overall taste of the Pad Thai.

Pad Thai Kitchen Must-Haves

• Wok or Large Skillet: Essential for stir-frying ingredients with high heat and even cooking.
• Cutting Board: Perfect for chopping scallions, garlic, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps measure sauce ingredients and oil accurately.
• Mixing Bowls: Useful for whisking eggs and combining sauce ingredients.
• Colander: Needed to drain and rinse rice noodles after soaking.
• Whisk: Great for beating eggs and mixing sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Spatula: Helps stir and toss ingredients while cooking.
• Plate: Serves as a holding area for cooked shrimp and eggs.

Creating Pad Thai at Home

Step 1: Soak Rice Noodles

Place rice noodles in boiling water and let them soften for 5-10 minutes until they become pliable but maintain a slight bite.

Carefully drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Set the noodles aside for later use.

Step 2: Prepare Cooking Components

• Crack eggs into a bowl
• Add a small pinch of salt
• Whisk the eggs until well combined

In a separate bowl, blend sauce ingredients thoroughly until smooth and well-integrated.

Step 3: Sauté Seafood

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high temperature.

Add shrimp and sprinkle with salt.

Cook for approximately 2 minutes until they turn pink and start to curl.

Introduce minced garlic and light green scallion sections.

Continue cooking for an additional minute.

Transfer the cooked shrimp mixture to a clean plate.

Step 4: Scramble Eggs

Pour a small amount of oil into the same pan.

Crack eggs and scramble them gently for 1-2 minutes until they are fully cooked but still soft.

Add the scrambled eggs to the plate with the shrimp.

Step 5: Combine Noodles and Protein

Drizzle oil into the pan and add the prepared rice noodles.

Pour the premixed sauce over the noodles.

Stir and cook until the liquid is completely absorbed.

Reintroduce the shrimp and egg mixture to the pan.

Toss everything together, ensuring all ingredients are heated evenly and well-coated with sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Chopped roasted peanuts
• Fresh bean sprouts
• Chopped cilantro (optional)

Accompany with lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus flavor.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the vibrant Thai street food classic.

Smart Pad Thai Cooking Tips

• Avoid overcooking by testing noodle texture during boiling water soak, ensuring they remain slightly firm for perfect pad thai texture.
• Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to blend flavors evenly, preventing clumpy or uneven seasoning in the final dish.
• Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat to maintain tenderness and prevent rubbery texture, removing promptly when just pink.
• Use low-medium heat when scrambling eggs to create soft, silky texture without browning or overcooking.
• Add fresh bean sprouts and crushed peanuts right before serving to maintain crunch and enhance overall dish freshness.

Pad Thai Styles and Tweaks

• Vegetarian Pad Thai: Replace shrimp with firm tofu, cubed and pan-fried until golden, maintaining the same protein-rich texture and flavor profile.
• Chicken Pad Thai: Swap shrimp with sliced chicken breast, cooking it similarly with garlic and scallions for a classic protein option.
• Gluten-Free Pad Thai: Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure rice noodles are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Pad Thai: Substitute rice noodles with spiralized zucchini or kelp noodles, keeping the authentic sauce and protein components intact.

Presenting Pad Thai with Flair

• Tropical Plate Pairing: Serve alongside fresh mango salad or papaya slaw for a vibrant Thai-inspired meal that complements the pad thai's tangy flavors.
• Garnish Galore: Sprinkle extra crushed peanuts, fresh chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime just before serving to enhance texture and brighten the dish's overall taste profile.
• Family-Style Feast: Present pad thai in a large communal platter, encouraging everyone to scoop and share, creating a fun and interactive dining experience that highlights the dish's social nature.
• Beverage Companion: Pair with crisp Thai iced tea or a light beer like Singha to balance the pad thai's rich and complex flavor combinations.

Keeping Pad Thai Fresh After Cooking

• Store leftover Pad Thai in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Place portion on microwave-safe plate, sprinkle few drops of water to prevent sticking. Zap for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
• Warm 1 tablespoon oil in pan over medium heat. Add Pad Thai and gently stir-fry 3-4 minutes until heated completely. Add splash of water if noodles seem dry.
• Pad Thai doesn't freeze well due to delicate noodles and sauce texture. Fresh is always best for maintaining original taste and texture.

FAQs

• Is Pad Thai a spicy dish?

Pad Thai is typically mild with a balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. The heat level can be adjusted by adding more chili sauce or fresh chili peppers according to your preference.

• Can I make Pad Thai vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace shrimp with tofu, tempeh, or additional vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms. The sauce and cooking method remain the same.

• What kind of noodles are best for Pad Thai?

Traditional Pad Thai uses rice noodles (rice stick noodles). These flat, thin noodles are essential for authentic texture and flavor. Always choose wide rice noodles specifically labeled for Pad Thai.

• How important are the toppings in Pad Thai?

Toppings like crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, and cilantro are crucial.

Pad Thai Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Delightful pad thai celebrates Thailand’s culinary charm with rice noodles, tangy tamarind, and perfectly balanced flavors. Crisp vegetables and protein combine in a quick stir-fry you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

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Base Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) flat rice noodles (linguini or fettuccini width)
• 3/4 pound (340 grams) large shrimp (31/35), peeled and deveined
• 2 large eggs, beaten

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) plus 2 tablespoons water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon (heaping) crushed red pepper flakes

Aromatics & Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 scallions, light parts thinly sliced, dark green parts cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, divided
• 1/4 cup dry roasted salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• Lime wedges for serving (optional)
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Immerse rice noodles in boiling water for 5-10 minutes until they reach a tender yet resilient texture. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
2. Whisk eggs with a delicate sprinkle of salt. Separately, blend sauce ingredients into a harmonious mixture.
3. Sear shrimp in sizzling oil over medium-high heat for approximately 2 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and light scallion sections, cooking for an additional minute. Transfer protein to a holding plate.
4. Create fluffy scrambled eggs in the same pan with a touch of oil, cooking 1-2 minutes until perfectly set. Combine with previously cooked shrimp.
5. Infuse pan with remaining oil, introduce noodles and prepared sauce. Allow liquid to be completely absorbed while gently stirring. Integrate shrimp-egg mixture and dark scallion segments, tossing until uniformly heated.
6. Garnish with crushed peanuts, crisp bean sprouts, and optional fresh cilantro. Accompany with zesty lime wedges for an enhanced flavor profile.

Notes

• Customize Noodle Texture: Soak rice noodles slightly less for a firmer bite or longer for softer consistency, depending on personal preference.
• Balance Sauce Flavors: Adjust sauce ingredients like tamarind, fish sauce, and sugar to create a perfect sweet-sour-salty balance that suits your taste.
• Make It Vegetarian: Swap shrimp with tofu, tempeh, or additional vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms for a plant-based version.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop ingredients and mix sauce in advance to streamline cooking process and reduce last-minute kitchen stress.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Stir-frying
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 68 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 240 mg