If you’ve ever craved an authentic taste of Thailand from the comfort of your own kitchen, this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe is exactly what you need. It masterfully balances savory, sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors while combining tender shrimp, perfectly cooked noodles, and fresh veggies for a dish that’s both comforting and exciting. Every time I make this recipe, it brings everyone to the table with smiles, and you’ll quickly see why this classic stir-fry remains a favorite worldwide.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the key to nailing this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe. Each element works together to create the iconic harmony of flavors and textures that make this dish stand out. From the sauce components to the fresh vegetables, everything is simple yet essential.
- Fish sauce: Provides the salty umami backbone that defines Pad Thai’s savoriness.
- Soy sauce or coconut aminos: Adds depth and a subtle sweetness while balancing the fish sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Brings the necessary tang to brighten each bite.
- Brown sugar: Introduces a caramel undertone that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- Peanut butter: Creates a luscious, creamy texture and nutty flavor essential to this version.
- Sriracha: Adds a perfect touch of heat that you can personalize to your liking.
- Rice Pad Thai noodles: The chewy, slippery heart of the dish that soaks up the sauce brilliantly.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the shrimp and veggies without overpowering their freshness.
- Raw jumbo shrimp: Tender and slightly sweet, these become the protein star of the show.
- Red bell pepper: Offers a crisp crunch and vibrant color that enlivens the plate.
- Carrot: Adds subtle sweetness and a fabulous matchstick texture.
- Eggs: Scrambled directly in the pan to lend richness and body to the noodles.
- Bean sprouts: Provide a fresh, light crispness contrasting the cooked components.
- Lime: Essential for squeezing over the finished dish to add a refreshing zing.
- Cilantro: Bursts of herbal brightness that complement the other flavors.
- Chopped peanuts: The classic crunchy garnish that enhances both texture and flavor.
How to Make Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Start by mixing fish sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and sriracha in a small bowl. This sauce forms the soul of your Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe. Stirring it early lets the flavors meld so every bite tastes perfectly balanced and rich with umami.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rice noodles until tender but still firm, about 4 to 7 minutes. Rinse them in cold water afterward to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Setting the noodles aside prepped right means they’ll hold up beautifully in the stir-fry.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet and cook half the shrimp for 3 minutes on one side, flip, then cook 2 to 3 minutes more until they turn bright pink. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining shrimp. Cooking shrimp in batches ensures they sear nicely without steaming.
Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add the remaining oil and toss in the sliced red bell pepper and carrot. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until they soften just enough to keep a bit of their crunch, adding lively color and fresh flavor to your pad thai.
Step 5: Scramble the Eggs
Push the veggies to one side of the pan, leaving room for the eggs. Whisk the eggs in a bowl, then add them to the empty side, stirring gently as they cook. Once mostly set, mix the eggs with the sautéed vegetables, giving the dish a lovely silkiness.
Step 6: Add Bean Sprouts
Stir in bean sprouts and cook for about 1 minute. This quick step preserves their fresh crunchiness, which contrasts the noodles and shrimp beautifully in every mouthful.
Step 7: Combine Everything
Add noodles, shrimp, and sauce to the skillet. Gently toss everything to coat the noodles evenly. Cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the sauce to soak in and thicken just right. This careful combining brings all the flavors of the Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe together into one irresistible dish.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Transfer your Pad Thai to serving plates, then garnish generously with lime wedges, chopped peanuts, and cilantro. These final touches elevate the flavors and add texture, making each forkful a delight.
How to Serve Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh lime wedges are essential to squeeze over your Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe for a bright, zesty finish. Chopped peanuts add a satisfying crunch and rich nuttiness, while cilantro brings herbal freshness that lightens the dish perfectly. These simple garnishes turn a wonderful meal into an unforgettable experience.
Side Dishes
Pair your Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe with a cool cucumber salad or a simple steamed vegetable medley. These sides provide contrast with their lightness and crunch, balancing out the richness of the noodles. A bowl of hot jasmine rice won’t hurt either if you want to stretch the meal or soak up extra sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a lovely twist, try serving the Shrimp Pad Thai in individual banana leaf cups or wrapped lightly in rice paper rolls for easy nibbling at parties. You could even top the dish with a fried egg for an added boost of decadence. Presentation is your playground—have fun and make it your own!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the garnishes separate and add them fresh when reheating to retain texture and flavor at their best.
Freezing
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze portions for up to one month. Cool it completely, then pack into freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
Reheating
Reheat your Shrimp Pad Thai gently in a skillet over low-medium heat, maybe adding a splash of water to loosen the noodles if needed. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the texture doesn’t fare quite as well and shrimp can become rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use other proteins instead of shrimp?
Absolutely! Chicken, tofu, or even thinly sliced beef work wonderfully in this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure your protein is cooked through and tender.
Is peanut butter necessary in the dish?
While traditional Pad Thai often uses crushed peanuts, peanut butter adds a creamy richness to the sauce that elevates the flavors. You can omit it if you have allergies, but it does add a special touch.
How spicy is this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe?
The level of heat is flexible since sriracha is added to the sauce. Feel free to add more or less based on your preferred spice tolerance. It balances beautifully with the sweetness and acidity in the dish.
What kind of noodles should I use?
Use flat rice noodles designed specifically for Pad Thai or stir-fry dishes. These noodles absorb sauce well and have the perfect chewy texture that defines the dish.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Definitely! Simply swap the shrimp for tofu or extra vegetables and replace the fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari. This Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe adapts beautifully to vegetarian preferences.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe enough if you’re searching for a dish that’s bursting with flavor and satisfaction but still simple enough to whip up on a weeknight. Once you taste the perfect blend of tangy, sweet, spicy, and savory, you’ll see why I keep coming back to this recipe again and again. So go ahead, gather your ingredients and make this delicious meal your new favorite!
Print
Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 29 minutes
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
A vibrant and flavorful Shrimp Pad Thai recipe featuring a savory sauce made with fish sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and sriracha. Served with tender rice noodles, sautéed shrimp, fresh vegetables, scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, and garnished with lime, cilantro, and peanuts for an authentic Thai dining experience at home.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (or more to taste)
Main Ingredients
- 7 ounces rice pad Thai noodles
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 1 pound raw jumbo shrimp, shells removed
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, cut into matchsticks
- 4 eggs
- 7 ounces bean sprouts
Garnish
- 1 lime
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine fish sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and sriracha. Whisk well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed to create a balanced, flavorful sauce.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the rice noodles and cook for 4 to 7 minutes until tender. Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Cook Shrimp in Batches: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil, then half of the shrimp. Cook for 3 minutes, flip, and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque. Transfer cooked shrimp to a plate. Repeat with the remaining shrimp and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add the sliced red bell pepper and carrot sticks. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften but retain some crunch.
- Scramble the Eggs: Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the skillet. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and pour them into the clear side of the pan. Gently scramble using a spatula until eggs are mostly cooked, then mix them gradually with the vegetables.
- Add Bean Sprouts: Stir in the bean sprouts and cook for about 1 minute, combining them evenly with the eggs and vegetables.
- Combine Everything: Add the drained noodles, cooked shrimp, and the prepared sauce to the skillet. Gently toss and mix all ingredients together. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, so the noodles absorb the sauce and the shrimp reheat thoroughly.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the finished Pad Thai to serving plates. Garnish with lime wedges, chopped peanuts, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy your authentic homemade Shrimp Pad Thai.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute shrimp with tofu and use vegetarian fish sauce alternatives.
- Adjust sriracha according to your preferred spice level.
- Soaking the rice noodles in warm water prior to boiling can help soften and reduce overall cook time.
- Use fresh peanuts for best flavor and texture when garnishing.
- Bean sprouts should be added last to maintain their crispness.
