As an Asian gal living in the heart of Eastern Washington, there are yummy culinary dishes that just can’t be found at a restaurant. Every now and then, I have an unquenchable craving for the perfect Pad Thai.
Now, it would be an understatement to say that my husband is not a fan of anything seafood, so I had to create a Pad Thai recipe that was fish sauce free (because even when I try sneaking in seafood sauces, he somehow knows…). When I tried this beautiful Pad Thai recipe with no fish sauce, I discovered that I loved it even more! Whether you’re an experienced home cook or a novice in the kitchen, this easy Pad Thai recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring a mouthwatering result that will leave you craving more.
The Key Ingredients that Make Pad Thai Irresistible
To create an authentic and delicious Pad Thai, it is essential to have the right ingredients on hand. Here are the key components that will elevate your dish:
- Rice Noodles: The foundation of Pad Thai, rice noodles are soft, chewy, and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Chicken (or protein of choice): Tender and juicy chicken complements the noodles perfectly. However, you can also experiment with shrimp, tofu, or vegetables for a vegetarian twist.
- Fresh Vegetables: Crisp bean sprouts, onions or shallots, vibrant scallions, fresh cilantro, and crunchy crushed peanuts add texture and a burst of freshness to the dish.
- Pad Thai Sauce: The soul of the dish lies in the Pad Thai sauce, a harmonious blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sriracha, and lime juice. This combination creates a perfect balance of flavors, from tangy and savory to sweet and sour.
Pad Thai Recipe Video
Pad Thai (no fish sauce)
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry pad thai noodles (rice noodles)
- 3 tbsp oil divided
- 8 oz chicken (or protein choice: tofu, shrimp, etc.)
- 1 shallot or onion
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tsp ginger chopped
- 0.5 cup bean sprouts
- 2 eggs whisked
- 1 lime
- salt & pepper
Pad Thai Sauce:
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp sriracha
Garnish:
- lime wedges
- scallions
- cilantro
- peanuts roasted, chopped
- bean sprouts
- chili pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pad thai noodles in boiling water for 4-6 minutes, drain, and set aside.
- Meanwhile prep the rest of your ingredients. Chop your vegetables (shallots, garlic, ginger), cut chicken into thin slices, and whisk eggs. Add a pinch of salt into the eggs.
- Whisk sauce ingredients together until mostly smooth.
- Heat a skillet with oil and cook chicken. Once chicken is fully cooked, set aside.
- Add more oil to the pan and cook the vegetables until soft, about 5 minutes. Add in bean sprouts and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Move vegetables to one side of the pan and scramble the eggs, breaking apart into little pieces.
- Add in the cooked rice noodles and the cooked chicken. Stir fry for a few minutes until fully integrated.
- Stir in the pad thai sauce and cook until caramelized and the sauce is soaked into noodles. After a few minutes, squeeze half a lime into the pan and mix.
- Serve warm and garnish with lime wedges, chopped peanuts, green onion, cilantro, chili pepper flakes, and bean sprouts.
This delightful Pad Thai recipe is a testament to the allure and versatility of Thai cuisine. And no matter where you live, you no longer need to find that authentic Thai recipe to satisfy your Pad Thai craving. Oh, and if you have a picky partner, no worries; they’ll love it too!
To view more recipes like this one, visit https://freshcupofjoy.com/category/food-health/recipes/