Forget the takeout with this easy to make and full of flavor One Pot Pad Thai! Tender rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, shrimp, veggies, peanuts, and a wonderful tart, sweet, and salty sauce!
When we visit Asian restaurants, I always try to order different things. Sometimes I discover true hidden gems, sometimes I can’t even finish my plate because of the unfitness of a dish to my taste buds. Nevertheless, I keep trying.
That’s not the case with my husband, though. He is one of those people who likes playing it safe and ordering the same time-tested dishes all the time to avoid unpleasant surprises. I tried to talk him around a few times and he actually listened but… He got unlucky, wasn’t able to finish the food, and, ultimately, was left hungry. Oops. I don’t do that anymore since.
One of his most favorite Asian dishes is Pad Thai. Yes yes, I know. It’s everywhere, right? Igor loves it, though! Despite the numerous recipes of this Thai creation on Pinterest, I have never tried making it at home. Seriously. I mean, why bother if you can just grab some takeout.
I have my reasons now. The quality of the food in fast food restaurants has dropped lately (at least where I live) and they don’t tempt me like they used to anymore. It’s much better to make something at home with the ingredients you can vouch for. Moreover, this One Pot Pad Thai is really easy to make!
One Pot Pad Thai – What’s Inside?
- Rice noodles. What’s an Asian dish without them? For Pad Thai you should use wider noodles (marked “L” or “M”) or simply the widest rice stick noodles you can find. Rice noodles are naturally gluten-free so it’s a great choice for people with celiac disease.
- The sauce. Usually contains brown or palm sugar, fish sauce, and tamarind juice, paste, or concentrate. Other ingredients such as honey, vinegar, chili powder can also be added. I substituted tamarind with lime juice + brown sugar combo because the book I adapted the recipe from (One Pan, Two Plates – a great book for one pan meal fans) suggested it.
- Vegetables. The set of veggies used in Pad Thai can be different. Garlic, shallot, green onion, bean sprouts, pickled radishes or turnips, and the list goes on and on. I also used napa cabbage and it was a great addition.
- Eggs. A mandatory ingredient. You can’t make Pad Thai without eggs! Well, you can, obviously, but it won’t be authentic anymore. Eggs are stir-fried with rice noodles.
- Shrimp. I am not sure if it’s a mandatory ingredient but all Pad Thai recipes I’ve seen had them. Traditional recipes use small dried shrimp (they are super cheap in Thailand and that’s what the most people can afford) but nowadays more recipes use fresh shrimp instead. I checked the price of dried shrimp here in Tenerife and they are even more expensive than fresh ones so in such case there is no point in using them at all.
- Other common ingredients are tofu, peanuts, and lime. I didn’t use tofu because my hubby is not into it + I saw plenty of recipes without it. I did throw some halved peanuts inside and served this one pot Pad Thai with lime wedges. Loved squeezing some lime juice over it!
Now let me tell you this. This homemade one pot Pad Thai is way better than any version I had in local restaurants. Plus, it’s so easy to make! My hubby was in awe. I am pretty sure we won’t order Pad Thai from takeout again. Try this full-of-flavor Thai stir-fry and let me know in a comments section below how you liked it!
One Pot Pad Thai
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice mixed with 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes
For the stir-fry:
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil , divided
- 8-12 shrimp , peeled, deveined
- salt and pepper , to taste
- 4 oz. (115g) wide rice noodles
- 3 green onions , thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 large eggs , beaten
- 1/2 lb (225g) thinly sliced napa cabbage
- 3/4 cup (40g) bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup (70g) roasted peanuts , chopped
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 1 lime (1/2 for juice, 1/2 for wedges)
Instructions
- To make the sauce, first mix the fresh lime juice and brown sugar in a small bowl. Now add the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir well to combine. Set aside.
- Lightly season the shrimp with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook 1-2 mins per side until cooked through. Set aside. Wipe out the skillet with paper towel.
- Fill the same skillet with water, cover, and bring to a boil. Add the rice noodles and cook for about 4 minutes, until barely tender. Drain and discard all the water. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and add half of the green onions and all the garlic. Saute for about 30 seconds and add the eggs. Scramble them into the onion and garlic mixture just until clumps form.
- Add the cabbage and saute for 30 seconds more. Now add the cooked noodles, half of the bean sprouts, half of the peanuts, half of the cilantro, the cooked shrimp, and the sauce. Toss well and cook for a couple of minutes more, until the noodles are tender. Add the juice from 1/2 lime. Give a taste and season more, if needed.
- Serve topped with the remaining green onions, bean sprouts, peanuts, cilantro, and garnished with the lime wedges. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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20 Comments
Brandi Crawford
June 8, 2017 at 9:30 amI’m a huge fan of pad thai! I love the cilantro and peanuts combination. I also love that this is a one pot meal!
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 2:07 pmPad Thai has something for everyone 😉
jane @ littlesugarsnaps
June 8, 2017 at 9:34 amThis does look much better than take-out – so fresh and colourful. Your Hubby should be forever in your debt for making it especially for him.
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 2:08 pmHa ha, he definitely should 😛
Jagruti
June 8, 2017 at 10:42 amThis pad thai looks far better than take out one. You have prepared it so well. Pictures are really nice.
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 2:10 pmThanks for the compliments! I really appreciate it 🙂
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated
June 8, 2017 at 11:19 amI’ve only had pad thai once but I loved it. I had no idea it was so easy to make at home! Definitely going to give your recipe a try.
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 2:13 pmIt looks way more complicated than it really is 🙂
Sia
June 8, 2017 at 12:14 pmGosh, that looks so good! I love Thai food as the ingredients used in Thai cuisine is very similar to the ones I grew up eating in South India. The different flavours, textures and burst of vibrant colours makes it so much special!
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 2:15 pmThai cuisine is one of the best, no doubts about it!
Pavani
June 8, 2017 at 1:20 pmPad Thai is one of my favorite dishes. Yours looks so fresh and delicious.
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 2:30 pmI am glad you liked it!
Jenni
June 9, 2017 at 12:18 pmOh, yum! I love pad thai, and love that this is an easy one pot recipe! It looks so fresh and tasty!
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 3:04 pmThank you, Jenni! I am really with the result myself 🙂
Mandee Pogue
June 9, 2017 at 12:41 pmI love a good Pad Thai recipe, and this one looks AMAZING! I also love how it is not loaded with sugar like some others I have see. Well done!
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 3:05 pmI am really happy you liked it! Thanks for the comment!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
June 9, 2017 at 2:45 pmPad thai is always a hit at our house! Love how easy your version is!
Jovita
June 20, 2017 at 3:06 pmEverybody loves Pad Thai 😉
Michelle
July 29, 2017 at 10:34 pmMade this tonight and it was amazing!!
Jovita
July 30, 2017 at 7:00 pmI’m so happy to hear it, Michelle!