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Home » Vegan » Easy Vegan Pad Thai

Easy Vegan Pad Thai

Published: Nov 14, 2019 · Modified: Jul 27, 2020

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Pad Thai is a popular stir fried rice noodle dish from the cuisine of Thailand. This restaurant famous dish is so easy to make at home and is ready in under 30 minutes. This is the vegan version made with rice noodles, homemade sauce, tofu, bean sprouts and peanuts.

vegan pad thai noodles served in a white bowl with chop sticks

What is Pad Thai?

Pad Thai is a noodle dish made by stir frying cooked rice noodles with a protein ( I used tofu) and veggies and is tossed in a sauce flavored with tamarind paste, sugar, soy sauce and vinegar. Crushed Peanuts, scallions, bean sprouts and lime wedges finish of this dish.

It is one of the most popular noodle dishes in the restaurants. But you will be surprised how easy it is to make at home. You can easily make it in under 30 minutes, which is faster than getting a takeout order.

Why this recipe works?

  • it is sweet, sour, salty and spicy
  • full of flavors
  • easily made at home in under 30 minutes
  • plant based recipe- perfect for vegans and vegetarians

How to make the best pad thai?

There are two components in making a good pad thai. Getting the right texture of the noodle and making the best tasting sauce. Do follow my recipe to make this tasty pad thai.

Let’s dive into the ingredients and its procedure-

rice noodles, tofu, peanuts, shallots, like, garlic and bean sprouts on a black surface

Ingredients for home made Pad Thai

  • Rice noodles – you can find the rice noodles in the Asian isle of your grocery store or in any Asian groceries.
  • Tofu– adds protein.Use extra firm tofu, which hold better in the dish.
  • Vegan pad thai sauce – sauce made with tamarind paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili sauce and brown sugar
  • Bean Sprouts – for crunch, these can be found in the same isle where they have tofu in the grocery store.
  • Shallots, garlic, spring onion and vegetables (optional).
  • Vegetable oil for sauteing
  • Corn starch to coat the tofu, makes them extra crispy.
  • Peanuts, lime wedges, green onion and coriander as garnish and toppings.
rice vinegar, water, tamarind, brown sugar, oil, soy sauce and chili sauce mixed to make pad thai sauce

Vegan pad thai sauce recipe-

The secret to making a good pad thai lies in the sauce. The flavors of sweet, sour, salt and spice have to be perfectly balanced. Not using the right amount, will give you a bland tasting pad thai.

The ingredients needed to make the sauce are tamarind paste, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, vegetable oil, chili sauce (or sriracha).

Mix all the ingredients with a whisk until sugar melts and everything is well incorporated. The sauce should be salty, sour, sweet and spicy. You can always adjust the ingredients according to your taste.

pad thai served in a cast iron skillet

Step by Step method –

1)Add the noodles in the boiling water and cook for 6 to 7 minutes.

2) The noodles should be al dente but pliable.

3) Drain the noodles in a colander.

4) Rinse them with tap water to stop further cooking. Set a side.

cooking noodles

5) Pat the tofu with few paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut into ¾ inch cubes.

6) Coat the tofu with corn starch and shake gently to remove the excess starch.

7) Heat oil in a non stick skillet and pan fry the tofu on both sides until light brown and crisp, turning them as needed. Set a side.

tofu coated with corn starch and pan fried

8) Make the pad thai sauce by mixing all the ingredients listed under the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

9) Now that we have the cooked noodles, fried tofu and sauce ready- lets make the pad thai.

10) In a large wok heat the oil and add shallots and garlic.

11) Saute the onion and garlic till soft and light brown, about 2 minutes.

12) Keeping the flame in medium-high, add the cooked noodles and half of the sauce.

13) Toss the noodles with the sauce Now add the bean sprouts, tofu, spring onion and the rest of the sauce .

sauteing onion, garlic and adding the sauce to the cooked noodles

14) Gently toss all the ingredients and cook the noodles for two to three minutes. Check the seasoning and adjust it. Add salt if required and top it with crushed peanuts and coriander leaves.

pad thai noodles in a wok

Can I skip tamarind paste?

If tamarind is not available, add some lemon juice.

Can I add some veggies?

Yes.vegetables like colored peppers, carrots and broccoli go very well in the pad thai.

If you like tofu, do try this sweet and spicy tofu, can be served as an appetizer or side.

noodelsi being served

If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to give a star rating below. For more recipes and to see what’s cooking in my kitchen, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

vegan pad thai noodles served in a white bowl with chap sticks

Vegan Pad Thai Recipe

Home made pad thai easily done in under 30 minutes. This is the vegan version made with rice noodles, vegan pad thai sauce, tofu, bean sprouts and peanuts.

5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Thailand
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3
Author: Madhavi

Ingredients

To cook noodles

  • 8 oz rice noodles ¼ inch wide
  • boiling water to cook noodles

For the tofu

  • 10 ounce extra firm tofu cut to ¾ inch cubes
  • 1.5 table spoon of corn starch
  • 1 table spoon of oil

Vegan Pad Thai Sauce

  • 2 to 3 teaspoons of tamarind paste
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons of chili garlic sauce or sriracha ( or to taste)
  • 3 teaspoons of light brown sugar
  • 7 teaspoons soya suce light
  • 2 tea spoons rice vinegar (or to taste)
  • 1 tea spoon vegetable oil
  • 4 tea spoons of water

other ingredients-

  • 1 table spoon oil
  • 1 shallot finely chopped
  • 3 garlic pods minced
  • 2 cups bean sprouts
  • ¼ cup peanuts slightly crushed
  • 2 spring onion
  • lemon wedges

Instructions

Cooking the noodles-

  • Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook for for 6-8 minutes, until al dente. They should be pliable but not very soft.
  • Drain the noodles and set a side.

Cooking Tofu –

  • Pat tofu with few paper towels and let drain for few minutes.
  • Cut the tofu to ¾ inch cubes.
  • Toss the tofu pieces with corn starch and shake gently to remove the extra starch
  • Heat a table spoon of oil on a non stick skillet. Add the tofu and pan fry them until crisp and browned on both sides. Set a side.

Making the pad thai sauce-

  • Add the tamarind paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, oil, chili sauce and water in a bowl. Whsik until well combined. The sauce should be spicy, salt, sour and sweet.

Making pad thai –

  • Heat a table spoon of oil in a large wok on medium heat.
  • Add the shallots and garlic and cook till soft, about 2 minutes.
  • Now slightly increase the heat, and add the noodles and half of the sauce. Gently toss the noodles in the sauce.
  • Now add the tofu, bean sprouts and spring onion.
  • Add the rest of the sauce and toss gently until all the ingredients are well coated with the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Taste it and add some salt if required. Finally garnish with peanuts and cilantro.
  • Serve with lemon wedges and hot sauce or chili flakes (optional).

Notes

  1. If tamarind paste is not available, add some lemon juice.
  2. Adjust the chili sauce according to how spicy you prefer your noodles.
  3. You can add vegetables like bell peppers, carrot and broccoli. Add them after sauteing the onion and cook for couple of minutes.
  4. Make extra sauce to add while eating. 
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @MadhusEverydayIndian or tag #MadhusEverydayIndian!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sheeba

    August 31, 2020 at 11:20 pm

    Excellent recipe ,the Pad Thai was very delicious.

    Reply
    • Madhavi

      September 01, 2020 at 1:16 am

      Thank you Sheeba.

      Reply
  2. Leela

    November 27, 2019 at 3:39 am

    Your recipes comes out perfect every time

    Reply
    • Madhavi

      November 27, 2019 at 8:39 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Suma

    November 27, 2019 at 3:33 am

    Wow it looks so tempting and delicious, will definitely try

    Reply
    • Madhavi

      November 27, 2019 at 8:39 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Kundana

    November 21, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    That looks too delicious

    Reply
    • Madhavi

      November 21, 2019 at 9:52 pm

      Thank you

      Reply
  5. Pooja

    November 19, 2019 at 9:11 am

    Mmm… looks appetizing! I’ve always wanted to make pad thai at home… this recipe looks easy enough. Will try it soon!

    Reply
    • Madhavi

      November 19, 2019 at 9:32 am

      Thank you! Hope you like it.

      Reply
      • Mary

        August 01, 2020 at 4:33 pm

        5 stars
        Made this today. Delicious. Next time I will double the sauce.
        Thank you!

  6. Devika Kadaba

    November 18, 2019 at 9:05 pm

    Love to try this…..

    Reply
    • Madhavi

      November 18, 2019 at 10:27 pm

      Hope you like it!

      Reply
  7. Chandra Haranhalli

    November 18, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    Great recipe

    Reply
    • Madhavi

      November 18, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      Thank you! Hope you try it sometime.

      Reply
    • Hets

      June 24, 2021 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      Will definitely try.

      Reply
      • Madhavi

        June 25, 2021 at 10:23 pm

        Would love to hear your feedback!

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Hello there, I am Madhavi, welcome to my blog! I share vegetarian, dairy and egg recipes from India and around the world. Hope you enjoy my recipes and Happy Browsing!

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