This easy Shrimp Pad Thai recipe is a flavorful stir-fry dish that features rice noodles, shrimp, scrambled egg, and fresh vegetables, all tossed together in a savory-sweet-sour sauce and scattered with crushed peanuts. It comes together in just 30 minutes!

A hand holding chopsticks lifts out a piece of shrimp from a white bowl of shrimp pad Thai with more bowls in the background.


 

Flavorful Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe

My easy Shrimp Pad Thai recipe is just as good (maybe even better?!) than what we order at our favorite take-out spot!

The best pad Thai takes your taste buds on a delicious journey. From savory (oyster sauce and fish sauce) to sweet (a little sugar) to sour (tamarind paste and lime juice), each bite of this shrimp pad Thai is glorious. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, so our family can enjoy it any time the craving strikes!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Pad Thai

There’s a lot to love about pad Thai; this Asian-inspired comfort food is something truly special. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Quick to make. You’ll need just 30 minutes to throw together this satisfying pad Thai. For our family, that’s quicker than it would take to order and pick up our favorite pad Thai takeout!
  • Incredible flavor and texture. There are so many flavors and textures going on in this dish – this is one of the reasons I make it again and again. Chewy rice noodles + briny, succulent shrimp + fresh, crunchy vegetables, all dressed in a perfectly salty-sweet-sour (and spicy, if you like) sauce that I could eat every single week!
  • Easy to modify. You can adjust all the flavors of the sauce – make it more or less salty, sweet, or sour. And if you like heat, you can add that, too! You can also swap out the shrimp for another protein – see the notes in the recipe card for how to make this with chicken, beef, pork, and tofu!
An overhead shot of a bowl of shrimp pad Thai on a white background surrounded by bowls of garnish.

What Is Pad Thai?

Pad Thai is a popular stir-fried rice noodle dish. It’s native to Thailand, where it’s served as street food.

The main ingredients in pad Thai include thin, flat rice noodles, shrimp or another protein, crushed peanuts, scrambled egg, and bean sprouts.

Everything is tossed in an easy pad Thai sauce made of fish sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and tamarind, which gives the dish a unique salty-sweet-sour flavor.

Ingredients for pad Thai dressing are shown in bowls: fish sauce, oil, sriracha, brown sugar.
Pad Thai sauce ingredients
The ingredients for shrimp pad Thai are shown in bowls on a white background: shrimp, green onions, bean sprouts, carrots, eggs, oil, salt, and noodles.
Pad Thai ingredients

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to make shrimp pad Thai.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for exact ingredient amounts.

FOR THE SAUCE

  • Brown sugar – You can use light or dark brown sugar, for a touch of sweetness.
  • Fish sauce – Find this savory, funky-flavored condiment in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets.
  • Thai tamarind concentrate – I especially like Dragonfly Tamarind Concentrate. Just do not use an Indian tamarind paste, as it does not have the right flavor for pad Thai.
  • Lime juice – Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the brightest, freshest flavor.
  • Oyster sauce – This gives a delicious savory flavor.
  • Sriracha – This adds some heat to the dish. You can use more or less, depending on your heat preference.

FOR THE PAD THAI

  • Rice noodles – Look for thin, flat rice noodles. I use Thai Kitchen Stir-Fry Rice Noodles.
  • Vegetable oil – Or you can use canola oil.
  • Raw shrimp – Use large raw shrimp that is peeled and deveined.
  • Salt & black pepper
  • Bean sprouts – One of my favorite ingredients when we order pad Thai takeout! I look for ones that look plump and super fresh.
  • Carrots – I like to add shredded carrots for extra flavor, texture, and nutrition.
  • Green onions – Green onions add another layer of fresh flavor.
  • Garlic – Garlic is essential to the base of this dish.
  • Eggs – Eggs add extra protein and soft contrast to the dish. Whisked eggs get scrambled into the dish, much like when you make fried rice.
  • Peanuts – I use roasted, salted peanuts for some salty crunch.
  • Cilantro and lime – For serving.
A table with white bowls of shrimp pad Thai, chopsticks, and lime.

How To Make Shrimp Pad Thai

Follow along with my quick and easy method for shrimp pad Thai below:

A white bowl with the sauce for shrimp pad Thai is seen on a white background.
  • Make the sauce: Whisk all sauce ingredients together and set aside.
A black skillet in which shrimp cooks.
  • Make the pad Thai: Cook the rice noodles according to package directions, then drain them in a strainer and rinse with cold water until the noodles are no longer hot. Drizzle ½ tablespoon of the oil over the top of the noodles and toss briefly to prevent sticking.
  • Prepare the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook the shrimp. Heat a large sauté pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil, then sear the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side, until the shrimp is opaque, with a golden exterior. Transfer shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.
Vegetables are cooked in a black skillet.
  • Cook the vegetables. Add a little more oil to the pan/wok and add the bean sprouts, carrots, and green onions. Cook for 1 minute, stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Scrambled eggs and vegetables cook in a black skillet for shrimp pad Thai.
  • Add the eggs. Slide the veggies to one side of the pan. Add the whisked eggs on the other side. Cook the eggs until scrambled, stirring and chopping into little bites.
A skillet full of noodles, vegetables, and shrimp for shrimp pad Thai.
  • Combine everything. Add the cooked noodles, cooked shrimp, and 1 tablespoon of the chopped peanuts to the pan. Then drizzle the pad Thai sauce over the top. Toss it altogether until everything is evenly coated in the sauce. Remove the pan from heat.
A bowl of shrimp pad thai in a bowl with lime wedges and chopsticks along the edge of the bowl.
  • Serve. Serve immediately, sprinkled with more chopped peanuts. Offer fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the top, plus fresh cilantro. For those who like more heat, also offer crushed red pepper flakes.
An overhead shot of white bowls of shrimp pad Thai with bowls of lime wedges, on a white backgournd.

Common Questions

What’s the difference between shrimp pad Thai and shrimp lo mein?

Shrimp pad Thai uses rice noodles as its base while lo mein typically includes wheat flour noodles. Pad Thai is also sweeter and originated in Thailand, while lo mein has its origins in China.

What is fish sauce?

Fish sauce is a sauce made from fermented fish, like anchovies, that has been coated in salt. It has a salty, funky flavor.

Is pad Thai spicy?

Unlike many other Thai dishes, pad Thai is not traditionally spicy. It is often served with a variety of condiments, which lets the individual make it spicy if they like. I’ve included a little spice in my version of pad Thai, which you can alter to your liking.

Can I use chicken in pad Thai instead of shrimp?

Yes! Chicken pad Thai is very popular. See the notes at the bottom of the recipe card for how to make chicken pad Thai – or how to substitute beef, pork, or tofu.

Serving Suggestions

Shrimp pad Thai is a one-bowl comfort meal that’s filling and flavorful. Here are a few suggestions of other dishes you might like to serve along with it:

  • Spring rolls. Fresh spring rolls stuffed with vegetables and avocado and served with spicy peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce for dipping would make the perfect appetizer to a meal of shrimp pad Thai.
  • Rice. Try my lime-scented cilantro lime rice as a simple side dish to pad Thai. Or pineapple fried rice or kimchi fried rice.
  • More stir-fries. To add another noodle stir fry to the table along with shrimp pad Thai, make my pad woon sen, another Thai-inspired dish with glass noodles and vegetables.

How to Store Leftover Shrimp Pad Thai

Store leftover shrimp pad Thai in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat it, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat in 30-second intervals until hot.

A bowl of shrimp pad thai in a bowl with lime wedges and chopsticks along the edge of the bowl.

Pad Thai with Shrimp

Yield: 2 to 3 servings
prep time: 20 minutes
cook time: 10 minutes
total time: 30 minutes
This easy Shrimp Pad Thai recipe is a flavorful stir-fry dish that features rice noodles, shrimp, scrambled egg, and fresh vegetables, all tossed together in a savory-sweet-sour sauce and scattered with crushed peanuts. It comes together in just 30 minutes!
5 Stars (2 Reviews)
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Ingredients

For The Sauce

  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar add more if you like a sweeter pad Thai
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Thai tamarind concentrate – I like Dragonfly Tamarind Concentrate see photo in post
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sriracha – our family likes the one from Trader Joe’s use more or less, depending on your heat preference

For The Pad Thai

  • 8 ounces thin rice noodles – I recommend Thai Kitchen Stir-Fry Rice Noodles
  • 2½ tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
  • 12 large 21/25 count raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • 3 green onions sliced into 1″ pieced
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 2 large eggs whisked
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped roasted salted peanuts divided
  • fresh cilantro and lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  • For the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients together. Set aside.
  • For the pad Thai: Cook the rice noodles according to package directions. Drain the noodles in a strainer and rinse with cold water until noodles are no longer hot. Drizzle ½ tablespoon of the oil over the top of the noodles and toss briefly to prevent sticking.
  • Place shrimp on a paper towel lined pan or plate and pat the shrimp dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a large sauté pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil. Once oil is shimmering, add the shrimp. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side, until shrimp is opaque and has a golden exterior – cook time will depend on size of shrimp and heat temperature; do not overcook. Transfer shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.
  • Add remaining tablespoon of oil to sauté pan. Once it's shimmering, add the bean sprouts, carrots, and green onions. Cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  • Slide the veggies to one side of the pan and add the whisked eggs on the other side. Cook the eggs until scrambled, stirring and chopping into little bites.
  • Add the cooked noodles, cooked shrimp, and 1 tablespoon of the chopped peanuts to the pan. Then drizzle the pad Thai sauce over the top and toss it altogether until everything is evenly coated in the sauce. Remove pan from heat.
  • Serve: Serve immediately, sprinkled with more chopped peanuts. Offer plenty of lime wedges for squeezing over the top, plus fresh cilantro. For those who like more heat, also offer crushed red pepper flakes.

Notes

Tamarind Concentrate: Please note that there are many different brands of tamarind concentrate, and their texture and flavor can vary significantly. I really like Dragonfly Tamarind Concentrate, as it closely resembles the flavor of my favorite local takeout pad Thai. Dragonfly is a Thai brand that I get at a local Asian grocer; it's also available online – see the photo in my post for the exact product. Do not use an Indian brand of tamarind concentrate as it doesn't have the right flavor for this dish.
How To Make Chicken Pad Thai: Thinly slice 1 pound of boneless chicken breasts against the grain, and then into bite-size pieces. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until chicken is browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
How To Make Beef Pad Thai: Thinly slice 1 pound of lean beef steak (such as top sirloin) against the grain, and then into bite-size pieces. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer cooked beef to a clean plate and set aside.
How To Make Pork Pad Thai: Thinly slice 1 pound of boneless pork (such as boneless pork chops or loin) against the grain, and then into bite-size pieces. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until pork is browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer cooked pork to a clean plate and set aside.
How To Make Tofu Pad Thai: Slice a 14-16 ounce block of extra-firm tofu into thin slices, about ¼" thick. Place tofu pieces between layers of paper towel and press lightly – let sit for 30 minutes to soak up excess liquid. Then cut the tofu into bite-size pieces. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large nonstick pan over medium to medium-high heat. Add tofu pieces in a single layer and sauté for 2-3 minutes without disturbing, or until nicely browned. Turn the tofu over and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until just lightly browned. Transfer cooked tofu to a clean plate and set aside.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 561kcal Carbohydrates: 91g Protein: 16g Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: 3g Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g Cholesterol: 136mg Sodium: 1714mg Fiber: 7g Sugar: 38g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!
© Brenda | A Farmgirl’s Dabbles
Cuisine: Asian
Course: Dinner Ideas

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This post was originally published in 2104, then updated in 2023.