Authentic Pad Thai Recipe – Classic Thai Stir-Fry Noodles
Pad Thai is a beloved Thai street food dish renowned for its vibrant flavors and delightful textures. It features stir-fried rice noodles cooked with a medley of ingredients including shrimp, chicken, or tofu, and a mix of vegetables like bell peppers and bean sprouts. The dish is traditionally seasoned with a savory-sweet sauce made from fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, and chili powder, giving it a distinctive tangy and slightly spicy taste. Typically garnished with crushed peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges, Pad Thai offers a balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Its combination of ingredients and flavors makes it a comforting and satisfying meal that captures the essence of Thai cuisine. Often enjoyed as a quick lunch or dinner, Pad Thai embodies the vibrant street food culture of Thailand and is a favorite both locally and around the world.
Pad Thai Recipe
Ingredients:
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 8 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined (or chicken or tofu for variation)
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian version)
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste (or lime juice as a substitute)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, soy sauce, and chili powder. Adjust the seasoning to taste and set aside.
- Cook the Protein: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the shrimp (or chicken/tofu) and cook until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Add the red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes until tender.
- Combine Ingredients: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and pour the beaten eggs into the empty side. Scramble the eggs until they are just set. Add the cooked noodles and the prepared sauce to the skillet. Toss everything together to combine and heat through.
- Finish and Serve: Add the cooked shrimp (or chicken/tofu) and bean sprouts. Toss everything until well mixed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped peanuts, green onions, and cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, approximate):
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fat: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
Feel free to adjust the ingredients and seasoning to suit your taste!
