Easy Homemade Pad Thai Recipe: A Delicious Thai Classic
hai is one of the most beloved and flavorful dishes in Thai cuisine, known for its perfect balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors. This homemade Pad Thai recipe brings the authenticity of this classic Thai street food right into your kitchen, and it’s incredibly easy to make in under 30 minutes! Whether you're a Pad Thai lover or trying it for the first time, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your weekly meal rotation.
Traditionally, Pad Thai is made with rice noodles, stir-fried with shrimp, chicken, or tofu, and combined with an aromatic blend of garlic, tamarind, fish sauce, sugar, and lime. What makes this homemade version stand out is that it’s customizable to your taste and dietary preferences. Whether you prefer it spicier, sweeter, or with a protein of your choice, you can easily adjust the ingredients and seasonings.
The beauty of making Pad Thai at home is that you have control over the flavors, ensuring the perfect balance. It’s also a great way to incorporate fresh vegetables and protein into your meal. The dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for a fast weeknight dinner, a weekend treat, or even meal prep for the week ahead.
If you’re craving an authentic and delicious Pad Thai experience, gather your ingredients and get ready to create a dish full of bold flavors that everyone will love!
Equipment
- Wok or Large Skillet – A wok or large skillet is perfect for stir-frying the noodles and other ingredients quickly at high heat, giving your Pad Thai the ideal texture.
- Large Mixing Bowl – Used for preparing the sauce and marinating the protein (shrimp, chicken, or tofu) before cooking.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups – Essential for measuring the Pad Thai sauce ingredients, such as tamarind paste, fish sauce, and lime juice.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula – A spatula is great for tossing the noodles and ingredients in the wok without sticking or breaking them apart.
- Knife and Cutting Board – For chopping the protein, vegetables, and garnishes like green onions and peanuts.
- Small Bowl – Used for beating the eggs before scrambling them in the wok and for mixing the Pad Thai sauce ingredients.
- Strainer or Colander – To drain the rice noodles after cooking and prevent them from sticking together.
- Lime Squeezer – To easily extract fresh lime juice for the Pad Thai sauce and garnishing.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rice noodles thin or medium width
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 lb shrimp chicken, or tofu (your choice of protein), cut into small pieces
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts optional
- 1/4 cup peanuts chopped (optional)
- 2 green onions chopped (for garnish)
- For the Pad Thai Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce for a vegetarian version
- 1 tablespoon sugar palm sugar preferred
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes adjust to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Push the chicken to one side of the skillet and pour the beaten eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them with the chicken.
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and pour the sauce over the top. Toss everything together until the noodles are well coated with the sauce.
- Stir in the bean sprouts and green onions, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve the Pad Thai hot, garnished with crushed peanuts, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro.
Notes
To make this homemade Pad Thai even more delicious, ensure the noodles are well-coated with the sauce by tossing them in the pan over medium-high heat. For extra flavor, marinate your protein (shrimp, chicken, or tofu) in a bit of fish sauce and lime juice before cooking. You can also add extra vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or bean sprouts for added crunch and freshness. Don't forget to garnish with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for the perfect balance of flavors and textures!