Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (2024)

This authentic and Easy Pad Thai Recipe is one of the best, quick, Asian dishes you can make at home. Throw this meal healthy together in under 30 minutes with ingredients like rice noodles, lime juice, soy sauce, and peanuts. Skip the takeout and try this delicious vegetarian Pad Thai recipe!

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (1)

Pad Thai was my introductory meal into the vast world of Thai food.

This authentic street food dish originated in Thailand and has since become largely popular in the states.

And my initial encounter? That was on my very first date with my husband on the back porch of what would soon become our newlywed home.

Since then, Thai food has become our go-to when ordering out.

However, there are some nights when you’re craving that Asian takeout but also still want to eat a healthy dinner.

You’re going back and forth trying to decide between a big bowl of Pad See Ew and General Tso’s Chicken or a quick salad at home.

Well, you can look no further! This Easy Pad Thai Recipe tastes as authentic as your favorite Asian restaurant…Is ready in under 30 minutes…LOADED with vegetables…

And is a healthy, vegetarian, and gluten-free 30-minute dinner! It’s quicker to make than ordering takeout!

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (2)

Ingredients

The ingredients needed for this pad Thai recipe are relatively easy to find and can be located at your local grocery store.

  • Noodles. Rice noodles, sometimes called Pad Thai noodles, make up the base of this stir-fry dish. These are typically found in the Asian or ethnic section. You might see wide or thin, either one is fine. I would not recommend trying to substitute with any other non-rice-based noodle. You can also make these Thai Rice noodles!
  • Pad Thai Sauce. Sweet and savory, it is made from lime juice, sugar, and soy sauce.
  • Vegetables. A variety of types can be added to this stir-fry. Carrots and green onions are used in the recipe you’ll see below. Sometimes harder to find, but bean sprouts are another authentic vegetable that can be included.
  • Garlic. Opt for fresh. If absolutely necessary, you can sub ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Here’s how to mince garlic
  • Eggs. Scrambled eggs give this dish an added bit of protein. If vegan, feel free to substitute with a vegan egg replacement or leave them out completely.
  • Peanuts. Crushed and added right at the end, they give this noodle dish a great crunch and texture. You can use salted or unsalted peanuts.

How to Make Easy Pad Thai

These are the basic steps for making Easy Pad Thai. See the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

Cook the Noodles

For this recipe simply boil the rice noodles in a large pot according to the package directions.

These can be prepared before you start the rest of the dish or during if you’re a multi-tasker. Just be sure not to overcook them.

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (3)

Sauté the Vegetables

First, prepare the veggies. Here’s how to cut green onions and separate the white parts from the green.

Using a peeler, remove the outside of the carrots and then finely dice them.

You can use different types of pans for this dish. Stainless steel, non-stick, and woks all work. I recommend a non-stick wok for ease of cooking and cleanup.

In your pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat with the carrots. Sauté for 5-6 minutes. Then, mix in the white parts of the green onions along with the crushed garlic. Continue cooking for 1 minute.

Push the vegetables to the side of the pan.

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (4)
Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (5)
Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (6)

Scramble Eggs

Crack the eggs into a bowl and lightly whisk.

Pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the open area of the pan. Add the whisked eggs and cook until done. Be sure to consistently stir to promote even cooking.

Remove eggs from the skillet to a plate and set aside.

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (7)

Pad Thai Sauce

This sweet and savory Thai sauce is what absolutely makes this dish so incredibly good! Plus, it’s super easy to pull together.

In a clean bowl, whisk together lime juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and a touch of Sriracha.

This step can be done ahead of time. Store the sauce in the fridge until ready to use.

For the best flavor, be sure to stick with fresh lime juice since it brings the majority of the flavor.

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (8)

Mix it Together

Add the mixed sauce and cooked rice noodles into your pan on medium-low heat. Toss until everything is combined and coated well.

Put the chopped green ends of the onions along with the scrambled eggs into the skillet with the noodles and sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Garnish with crushed peanuts, additional green onions, or cilantro. Or top with a drizzle of this Peanut Sauce Recipe to kick the flavor up a notch!

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (9)
Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (10)

Meal Prep & Storage

  • To Prep-Ahead: Dice vegetables and mix the sauce up to 1-2 days before using.
  • To Store: Much like other rice noodle dishes, pad Thai is best when it is served immediately after making. You can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
  • To Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze as the texture of the noodles will break down.
  • To Reheat: Add noodles and a bit of water to a skillet and warm over medium-low heat. Stir as little as possible. Or, you can always microwave the leftovers.
Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (11)

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already Gluten-free, Dairy-free, and Vegetarian as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements.

  • Gluten-free: Be sure the brand of noodles and soy sauce you use are free of gluten.
  • Vegan: Skip the eggs and be sure to avoid fish sauce.
  • Paleo: Swap in a veggie, like zucchini noodles.
  • Nut-free: Leave out the peanuts as garnish.

FAQs

What is pad Thai sauce made of?

Traditionally, pad Thai sauce has soy sauce or tamarind, brown sugar, and sometimes fish or oyster sauce.

How is pad Thai traditionally made?

Pad Thai is made with rice noodles, scrambled eggs, vegetables, and topped with a soy sauce and brown sugar sauce. Often, it is served with different meats or tofu.

Is pad Thai healthy?

This authentic Thai dish can be relatively healthy when loaded with vegetables such as carrots, bean sprouts, or snap peas. To make this recipe keto or low-carb friendly simply substitute the rice noodles for zucchini noodles.

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (12)

More Easy Asian Recipes

You might also enjoy these other quick dinner recipes:

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai

Teriyaki Shrimp

Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry

Teriyaki Chicken

Beef and Broccoli

General Tso’s Chicken

Teriyaki Salmon

Thai Yellow Chicken Curry

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 2 votes

Easy Pad Thai Recipe

This authentic and Easy Pad Thai Recipe is one of the best, quick, Asian dishes you can make at home. Throw this meal healthy together in under 30 minutes with ingredients like rice noodles, lime juice, soy sauce, and peanuts.

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (13)

DFGFSFVG

Yield 4 servings

Prep 5 minutes mins

Cook 15 minutes mins

Total 20 minutes mins

Print Pin Comment

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (14)

Email this recipe!

Enter your email and we’ll send it directly to you.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. rice noodles cooked according to package directions
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil divided
  • ¾ cup carrots peeled and finely diced
  • 5 green onions finely chopped, white and green parts separated
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 eggs scrambled

Sauce:

  • ¼ cup soy sauce gluten free, or Tamari sauce
  • 3 Tbsp. brown sugar packed, or coconut sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. lime juice freshly squeezed
  • ½ tsp. Sriracha sauce optional

Toppings:

  • ¼ cup chopped peanuts salted
  • Green onions chopped

Instructions

  • Cook the rice noodles according to package directions.

  • Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet or wok over medium heat along with the diced carrots. Sauté for 5-6 minutes.

  • Add the white parts of the green onions along with the crushed garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute.

  • Push vegetables to the side and pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add whisked eggs and cook until done. Remove eggs from the skillet.

  • Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Place cooked rice noodles and sauce in the skillet over medium-low heat and toss until coated. Add in chopped green onions and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

  • Mix eggs with noodles and vegetables.

  • Serve each dish with chopped peanuts, extra green onions, and a lime wedge. Enjoy!

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 2 votes

Notes

Meal Prep & Storage

  • To Prep-Ahead: Dice vegetables and mix the sauce up to 1-2 days ahdead of time.
  • To Store: Much like other rice noodle dishes, pad Thai is best when it is served immediately after making. You can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days. But oftentimes the rice noodles will break down while reheating.
  • To Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing at the texture of the noodles will break down.
  • To Reheat: Add noodles and a bit of water to a skillet and warm over medium-low heat. Stir as little as possible. Or, microwave leftovers.

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcal, Carbohydrates: 65g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 1023mg, Potassium: 295mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 4278IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!

Categorized as:
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Fat, Lunch, Main Dishes, , Recipes, Refined Sugar-Free, Vegetarian

You May Also Like

DFGFLCPA

Sheet Pan Chicken and Asparagus

45 mins

GFSF

Easy Shrimp Scampi Linguine

20 mins

DFGFLCPA

Oven-Baked Shrimp Scampi in Foil Packets

20 mins

GFSF

Shrimp Pesto Pasta

30 mins

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (19)

Thanks for
Stopping By!

I’m London! Join me as we cook up nourishing meals for you and your loved ones and learn a few healthy cooking tips and tricks!

Read More About Me

Easy Pad Thai Recipe (Under 30 minutes!) - Evolving Table (2024)

FAQs

What makes Pad Thai taste so good? ›

If it's only made of those ingredients, what then makes it so unique? A Pad Thai has tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, dried shrimp, palm sugar, and red chili pepper. These simple ingredients make Pad Thai a bowl of five tastes—salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami.

How is Pad Thai traditionally made? ›

Pad Thai is a Thai noodle stir fry with a sweet-savoury-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It's made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp.

What gives Pad Thai its color? ›

What's the secret to an authentic Pad Thai? When it's sold in restaurants outside Thailand, the noodles are sometimes bright orange – that's because sauces or spices, like paprika, have been used instead of tamarind. Authentic Pad Thai is a light reddish-brown colour.

Why is Pad Thai Thailand's national dish? ›

The dish was created because Thailand was focused on nation-building. So this dish was created using rice noodles and it was called Pad Thai as a way to galvanize nationalism." Another explanation of pad thai's provenance holds that, during World War II, Thailand suffered a rice shortage due to the war and floods.

What are the 5 flavors of pad thai? ›

The name of this establishment refers to the five flavors (ha/ห้า=five, roat/รส=flavors) which are present in a good pad Thai: salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and savory.

Is Pad Thai junk food? ›

Although the ingredients in pad Thai are generally pretty healthy, the calories can still add up fast. Just one cup of a typical pad Thai has about 400 calories and 17 grams of fat, as well as loads of sodium.

What is the orange stuff in Pad Thai? ›

Many restaurants will add ketchup and paprika to boost the colour in order to make it look more appealing, but this is not traditional. However, we DO make a type of pad thai that is a little orange, and that colour comes from shrimp tomalley which we render out into oil and use it to cook pad thai.

Are Pad Thai healthy? ›

It can definitely be a part of a balanced, well-rounded diet. While pad thai includes many nutritious ingredients, its sodium content is considerably high. You can reduce its sodium by requesting the eatery go easy on the sauce and salt-contributing condiments.

What does Pad Thai mean in English? ›

Thai (ไทย) – that's obvious. Pad (ผัด) – means fried. There are however, countless Thai dishes with the word Pad in it. The main ingredient in Pad Thai is rice noodles which are stir-fried. So, if you were to roughly translate Pad Thai, you'd have to say the dish is stir-fried noodles Thai style.

Why is my pad thai bland? ›

Add enough sauce: In addition to having a great pad Thai sauce, it's important to get the sauce to noodle ratio just right. Because no matter how good your sauce is, if you don't add enough of it, you're going to end up with bland noodles.

Why is my pad thai pink? ›

Why is Pad Thai pink? The thing that has turned rice noodle into pink colour is a tamarind sauce and fish sauce that commonly use when cooke Pad Thai. So basically Tamarind sauces add to give a hint of sour and sweet.

What is a substitute for tamarind in pad thai? ›

TAMARIND SUBSTITUTION

Although ketchup is a common replacement for tamarind paste, we prefer this tasty mixture: 1/4 cup (50 mL) tomato paste, 2 tbsp (30 mL) rice vinegar or freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice, 2 tbsp (30 mL) Worcestershire, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 1 tbsp (15 mL) brown sugar and 1 tbsp (15 mL) water.

Is Pad Thai from China? ›

You're missing out on a culinary masterpiece if you've never had it. Pad Thai was born in Thailand during the time of World War II. Interestingly, a dish as delicious as Pad Thai was created by a politician! The Prime Minister made this popular dish at the time.

Which country invented Pad Thai? ›

You can find Pad Thai in Thailand in almost every street food cart and restaurant. However, this very popular dish was actually not invented in Thailand. It was actually invented by Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century who came to Thailand to work as cooks and domestic helpers.

Why is Pad Thai so sweet? ›

A perfectly cooked pad Thai should have a balance of flavors — tangy, sweet, spicy and salty, Trang says. This comes from a blend of tamarind paste, palm sugar, crushed red chili peppers and fish sauce. Traditional pad Thai sauces follow a basic formula of a third each of palm sugar, tamarind paste and fish sauce.

What makes Pad Thai different? ›

Some noodle stalls in Thailand use a sweetened black soy sauce in combination with sugar, and ground dried chillies made with darkly roasted whole dried chillies, producing pad thai with a very different color and flavor balance than what Americans have become accustomed to.

What is the sweet taste in pad thai? ›

Tamarind concentrate: This is the starring ingredient in pad Thai that gives the sauce its signature tangy, sweet, and fruity flavor. Granted, some American Thai restaurants have switched to using ketchup in its place, which gives the dish a notably different and less-tangy flavor.

What makes Thai food delicious? ›

Some of the common ingredients that give Thai food its distinctive flavor are lemongrass, galangal, lime, chili, mint, basil, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Another reason why Thai food is so delicious is that it uses fresh and locally sourced ingredients that are rich in nutrients and antioxidants.

Is Pad Thai supposed to be bland? ›

You can tell that a Pad Thai is well-prepared as soon as you take a bite if it has a fresh taste, a restrained sweetness, and bursts of salty, sour, and tart flavours.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 5944

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.