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Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai is a vibrant and flavorful Thai noodle dish combining juicy shrimp, tender rice noodles, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy, slightly sweet sauce. This quick and easy recipe delivers balanced sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy flavors, perfect for a satisfying homemade meal that brings authentic Thai street food to your kitchen in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 150g thin, flat rice noodles
  • 200g fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup as substitute)
  • 2 tbsp water

Additional Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Chili flakes (optional, to taste)
  • 1 lime, for squeezing on top

Instructions

  1. Prepare the noodles: Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 10-15 minutes until pliable but still firm. Drain and set aside to finish cooking later in the stir-fry.
  2. Mix the sauce: Whisk together tamarind paste, fish sauce, brown sugar, and water to create a balanced tangy, sweet, and savory sauce.
  3. Cook the shrimp: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp 1-2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  4. Scramble the eggs: In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Lightly scramble the eggs until just set, breaking into pieces for fluffy texture.
  5. Stir-fry noodles and sauce: Add garlic and shallots to the pan, cooking until fragrant. Toss in drained noodles and pour the prepared sauce over them. Stir vigorously to coat noodles evenly and absorb sauce.
  6. Add shrimp and veggies: Return cooked shrimp to the pan along with bean sprouts and sliced green onions. Toss together until warmed through and bean sprouts soften slightly.
  7. Garnish and serve: Serve hot topped with crushed peanuts, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and chili flakes if desired for extra heat.

Notes

  • Prep ingredients ahead for smooth cooking flow.
  • Do not over-soak noodles to prevent mushiness.
  • Cook on high heat for a slight smoky flavor.
  • Adjust tamarind, sugar, and fish sauce to balance sauce flavors.
  • Add peanuts last to maintain crunchiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Shrimp Pad Thai, Thai noodles, gluten-free, seafood stir-fry, quick Thai recipe, spicy Thai noodle dish