Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
Shrimp Pad Thai is a beloved Thai street food classic known for its perfectly balanced sweet, savory, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors.
This stir-fried noodle dish combines juicy shrimp, tender rice noodles, scrambled egg, crunchy peanuts, and crisp bean sprouts all tossed in a flavorful tamarind-based sauce.
Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a quick yet impressive dish that brings restaurant-quality taste to your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the sauce:
3 tablespoons fish sauce
1½ tablespoons tamarind paste
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional for heat)
For the Pad Thai:
8 oz flat rice noodles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs, lightly beaten
12–16 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup bean sprouts
2 green onions, sliced
¼ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
Prepare noodles: Soak rice noodles in warm water for 20–30 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.
Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sriracha.
Cook eggs and shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add eggs and scramble until just cooked. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil and cook shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Stir-fry noodles: Add garlic to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds. Add drained noodles and pour in the sauce. Toss to coat evenly and cook for 2–3 minutes.
Combine everything: Return shrimp and scrambled eggs to the pan along with bean sprouts and green onions. Toss everything together for another 1–2 minutes until well combined and heated through.
Finish and serve: Plate the Pad Thai and top with chopped peanuts. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Tips for Success
Tamarind paste is key for authentic flavor. If unavailable, substitute with 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar mixed with 1 teaspoon brown sugar.
Don’t overcook the noodles—they should be soft but still have a slight chew.
Adjust spice level by adding more or less chili sauce or fresh Thai chilis to taste.
Use fresh bean sprouts and green onions for the best texture and crunch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
Fresh lime wedges for squeezing over top
Extra chopped peanuts or crushed chili flakes
A side of Thai cucumber salad
Thai iced tea or sparkling water with lime
Garnished with fresh cilantro or Thai basil for extra aroma
Shrimp Pad Thai is a vibrant, crowd-pleasing meal that brings the bold flavors of Thailand straight to your dinner table—fast, fresh, and full of umami delight.
