If you have ever wondered how to bring vibrant, zesty flavors and satisfying textures together in a single dish, look no further than this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe. This colorful, restaurant-quality meal bursts with the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes, featuring tender shrimp, crisp vegetables, and noodles coated in a luscious sauce. It’s not only incredibly delicious but surprisingly approachable, making it a standout recipe to add to your weeknight dinner rotation or to impress guests with exotic flavors without any stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe plays a crucial role in creating a harmony of flavors and textures that transform simple pantry staples into a dish full of life and character. From the tangy and salty sauces to the crunchy garnishes, let’s dive into what you’ll need to stock your kitchen.
- Fish sauce: Provides that unmistakable umami punch essential to traditional Pad Thai.
- Soy sauce (or coconut aminos): Adds depth and subtle saltiness, perfect for balancing the sweetness.
- Rice vinegar: Brings a gentle acidity that brightens the sauce beautifully.
- Brown sugar: Offers a natural sweetness that melts into the sauce for a balanced flavor.
- Peanut butter: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the sauce, enhancing nuttiness.
- Sriracha: A touch of heat that wakes up the palate and complements the other flavors.
- Rice Pad Thai noodles: The perfect chewy base that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the shrimp and vegetables to a perfect tender-crisp stage.
- Raw jumbo shrimp: The star protein, offering tender, sweet seafood flavor.
- Red bell pepper: Thinly sliced for color and a subtle, sweet crunch.
- Carrot: Cut into matchsticks to add a fresh, crisp bite and vibrant orange hues.
- Eggs: For adding a fluffy, comforting layer of protein and texture.
- Bean sprouts: Deliver fresh crispness and authentic Pad Thai flair.
- Lime: For squeezing over the finished dish to add a zingy brightness.
- Cilantro: Chopped for a fresh herbal lift and beautiful green color.
- Peanuts: Chopped as a crunchy, nutty garnish making every bite exciting.
How to Make Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
Step 1: Create the Sauce
Start by combining fish sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and sriracha in a small bowl. Mixing these ingredients now allows the flavors to meld together into that signature Pad Thai sauce which is sweet, spicy, and savory all at once.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the rice noodles until tender, about 4 to 7 minutes. Draining them carefully and rinsing under cold water prevents them from sticking, ensuring that each strand remains beautifully separate for tossing with sauce and other ingredients later.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp in Batches
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add half of the olive oil. Sear half of the shrimp for about 3 minutes on one side, then flip for another 2 to 3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Transfer cooked shrimp to a plate and repeat with the remaining shrimp. Cooking in batches helps the shrimp brown nicely without overcrowding the pan.
Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables
Using the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and toss in the red bell pepper and carrot. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still have a crisp bite, adding wonderful texture and bright colors to the dish.
Step 5: Scramble the Eggs
Move the veggies to one side of the skillet. Pour whisked eggs into the empty spot and gently scramble them until mostly cooked. Then, fold the eggs into the vegetables, integrating fluffy protein with crunchy veggies—a lovely contrast in every forkful.
Step 6: Add Bean Sprouts
Stir in the bean sprouts and cook for about one minute. Their fresh crunch is classic in Pad Thai and adds a refreshing bite amid the saucy noodles and rich shrimp.
Step 7: Combine Everything
Add the cooked noodles, shrimp, and the prepared sauce back into the skillet. Gently toss and cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to let the noodles soak up that delicious, glossy sauce and ensuring the shrimp is heated through once again.
Step 8: Serve with Garnishes
Transfer your creation to serving dishes, then complete each plate with wedges of lime, chopped peanuts, and fresh cilantro. These finishing touches create an irresistible mix of tang, crunch, and freshness that truly elevates the dish.
How to Serve Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
Garnishes
Lime wedges squeezed on top awaken the whole dish with bright acidity, while peanuts add a wonderful nutty crunch. Fresh cilantro infuses each bite with herbal brightness that wakes up your taste buds and balances the richness.
Side Dishes
Shrimp Pad Thai tastes amazing on its own but pairs beautifully with light, refreshing sides such as a simple cucumber salad, jasmine rice, or even crispy spring rolls to add layers of texture and flavor diversity to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, serve the Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe in individual banana leaf-lined bowls or colorful, handmade ceramic plates. Adding a small ramekin of extra sriracha or lime wedges on the side invites guests to customize their bite, turning dinner into a fun, interactive experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Shrimp Pad Thai in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This dish holds up well but is best eaten fresh to enjoy the full depth of the sauce and the crispness of the veggies.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe, as the noodles tend to become overly soft and the texture of the shrimp can change. If you want to prep in advance, consider freezing the sauce separately and cooking fresh noodles and shrimp when ready to serve.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Stir frequently to rewarm evenly, restoring the lovely saucy coating and bringing the shrimp back to a tender state.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp in this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them fully and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture, which can affect the cooking process and the final texture.
Is peanut butter necessary for the sauce?
While peanut butter adds a creamy nuttiness that really complements Pad Thai, you can substitute almond butter or omit it if you have allergies—just expect a slightly different flavor profile.
How spicy is this Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe?
The level of heat mainly comes from sriracha. You can adjust the amount or omit it if you prefer a milder dish. Adding fresh chili on the side is another great way to customize your spice level.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Definitely! Substitute shrimp with firm tofu and use tamari instead of fish sauce to keep it vegetarian or vegan while still packing in those irresistible Pad Thai flavors.
What’s the secret to perfect noodles in this recipe?
The key is cooking the noodles just until tender and rinsing them with cold water immediately to prevent sticking. This keeps their texture ideal for absorbing sauce without becoming mushy.
Final Thoughts
This Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe is a dazzling way to bring bold, authentic flavors into your home kitchen with ease. Once you try it, you’ll find how satisfying and fun it is to create a dish that not only tastes incredible but looks beautiful too. So gather your ingredients, invite your favorite people to the table, and enjoy a delightful meal that’s sure to become a favorite repeat in your recipe collection.
Print
Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 29 minutes
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
This Shrimp Pad Thai recipe offers a vibrant and flavorful twist on the traditional Thai noodle dish, combining juicy jumbo shrimp, fresh vegetables, and a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce. Perfect for a wholesome and satisfying weeknight dinner, this dish balances the savory umami of fish sauce and soy with the crunch of peanuts and freshness of cilantro and lime.
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 (adjust 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
- Lime, cut into wedges
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and sriracha. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar and peanut butter are fully incorporated to form a smooth sauce.
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the rice noodles and cook for 4 to 7 minutes until tender but still slightly firm. Drain and rinse them under cold water to prevent sticking, then set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add half of the shrimp and cook for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove to a plate. Repeat with the remaining shrimp in the same skillet.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil to the skillet. Add the sliced red bell pepper and carrot sticks, cooking for 3 to 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Scramble the Eggs: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and pour them into the empty half of the skillet. Gently stir and scramble the eggs until nearly cooked through, then combine them with the sautéed vegetables.
- Add Bean Sprouts: Stir in the bean sprouts and cook for about 1 minute, mixing them well with the eggs and vegetables.
- Combine and Cook Everything: Add the drained noodles, cooked shrimp, and prepared sauce to the skillet. Gently toss to combine. Let it cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to let the sauce absorb into the noodles and the shrimp reheat.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the Pad Thai to serving plates. Garnish with lime wedges, chopped peanuts, and cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use rice noodles labeled pad Thai style for the best texture.
- If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce or omit the sriracha.
- For a nut allergy-friendly version, omit peanut butter and peanuts or substitute with sunflower seed butter and seeds.
- Cook shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet which can cause steaming instead of searing.
- Washing noodles with cold water immediately stops cooking and prevents them from clumping.
