What You’ll Love About This Recipe
This homemade Pad Thai recipe is quick, delicious, and packed with flavor, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing friends. You’ll love how easy it is to customize with your favorite ingredients.
- Simple Ingredients – Uses everyday pantry staples, so you won’t need a special trip to the store.
- Ready in Minutes – Faster than takeout, with fresh, vibrant flavors that beat any restaurant version.
- Totally Customizable – Swap in your favorite proteins or veggies to make it just the way you like.
Recipe
Intro:
Pad Thai is a classic Thai stir-fried noodle dish that balances sweet, sour, and savory flavors. This recipe uses simple ingredients to recreate the authentic taste at home.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz rice noodles (flat, medium-width)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Sauce:
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- Soak rice noodles in warm water for 20–30 minutes until pliable but firm. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes to make the sauce.
- Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir for 10 seconds.
- Push garlic aside, pour eggs into the pan, and scramble until just set.
- Add drained noodles and sauce. Toss well to coat and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in bean sprouts and green onions. Cook for another minute.
- Serve topped with crushed peanuts and lime wedges.
Notes:
- Adjust sauce ingredients to taste (more sugar for sweetness, more tamarind for tang).
- For protein, add shrimp, chicken, or tofu in step 3 before garlic.
Equipment:
- Wok or large skillet
- Mixing bowls
Time:
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
Cuisine: Thai
Serving: 2–3 people
Nutrition
Pad Thai is a nutritious dish packed with protein, vegetables, and essential nutrients. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 95mg
Sodium: 800mg
Total Carbohydrates: 65g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 15g
Protein: 20g
What To Serve With It
I love pairing my homemade pad Thai with fresh spring rolls for a light, crunchy contrast, and crispy tofu bites add a satisfying texture to the meal. These sides complement the flavors without overpowering the dish, making it a well-rounded experience. You’ll find they’re simple to prepare, just like the pad Thai itself!
Fresh Spring Rolls
While pad Thai’s bold flavors take center stage, fresh spring rolls make a light, invigorating side that balances the meal perfectly. I love how they’re packed with crisp veggies like carrots, lettuce, and cucumbers, wrapped in delicate rice paper. They’re revitalizing, especially with a tangy dipping sauce made from lime, soy sauce, and a hint of chili. Making them feels like crafting edible art—each roll is a little bundle of color and crunch. Plus, they’re customizable; you can add shrimp, tofu, or herbs like mint and cilantro. They’re the perfect complement to pad Thai’s richness, keeping the meal light and satisfying.
Crispy Tofu Bites
When I’m craving something crunchy and satisfying, crispy tofu bites always hit the spot—they’re so good, I could eat them straight off the tray! I love how they add a nice texture contrast to any meal, especially with pad Thai. To make them, I press firm tofu, cube it, then toss it in cornstarch or tapioca flour for that perfect crispiness. A quick fry in hot oil does the trick, and they come out golden and irresistible. Pair them with a tangy dipping sauce, like sweet chili or peanut, and you’ve got a snack or side that steals the show!
