Easy Tangy Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
A quick and flavorful homemade Pad Thai featuring juicy shrimp, tangy tamarind sauce, and fresh veggies tossed with rice noodles. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) flat rice noodles
- 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen, thawed completely)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (can swap with peanut oil)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup bean sprouts, fresh and crisp
- 3 stalks green onions, sliced thin
- ½ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- Small bunch cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 20–25 minutes until tender but still slightly firm (al dente). Drain and set aside. Do not over-soak to avoid mushy noodles.
- In a small bowl, whisk together tamarind paste, fish sauce, brown sugar, fresh lime juice, and red chili flakes (optional). Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- In the same pan, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in beaten eggs and scramble quickly until just set. Add drained noodles and pour tamarind sauce over the top. Toss vigorously for 2–3 minutes to coat noodles evenly and heat through.
- Add bean sprouts, sliced green onions, and cooked shrimp. Stir-fry for another minute to combine and warm through. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro as garnish.
Notes
Keep heat high and toss quickly to prevent soggy noodles. If noodles stick, splash a teaspoon of water and toss again. Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Fresh lime juice added at the end brightens the dish. Peanuts add essential crunch and texture contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Pad Thai, shrimp recipe, tamarind sauce, easy dinner, Thai food, stir-fry, quick meal, gluten-free