Pad Thai is a simple but flavorful Asian entree. It can be made with a variety of proteins, but this easy shrimp Pad Thai may very well become your new favorite weeknight dinner recipe!
One of the stops on our honeymoon was Thailand. We landed in Bangkok, spent a few days there and then headed up to Kanchanaburi.(This post was originally published on June 18th, 2011. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases.)
Even though you may never have heard of Kanchanaburi, you’d know it at once, if I whistled the theme song from “Bridge on the River Kwai” which was filmed there and where the Allied POWs built the bridge for the Burma Railway. Both Spencer and I love history and we wanted to visit the bridge, the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and War Cemetery. Of the 60,000 Allied POWs who worked on the railway, 16,000 died, mostly British, Australian and Dutch. Only 356 were Americans.
We also visited the ruins of a Buddhist “wat” nearby in Ayutthaya. We stopped there for some of the best Pad Thai we’ve ever had. Part of a memorable meal isn’t just the food, it’s the whole experience. This Pad Thai comes together pretty quickly.
The key to most Asian foods is “mise en place“. Mise en Place is French for, “get all your stuff together”! This takes a few minutes longer than prepping as you go, but once you start stir frying, you need to add ingredients fast! Having everything ready to go means you can add quickly and don’t need to worry about overcooking.
Here’s the shrimp Pad Thai recipe. Enjoy!
Easy Shrimp Pad Thai
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rice noodles (wide)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 3 Tablespoon Thai fish sauce
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil divided
- 3/4 lb. medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb. diced boneless chicken
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup fresh beans sprouts (extra for garnish)
- 3/4 cup sliced green onions extra for garnish
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoon dry roasted peanuts chopped
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Place noodles in a large bowl. Add hot water to cover; let stand 15 minutes or until tender. Drain.
- Combine ketchup, sugar, fish sauce and pepper in a small bowl.
- Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, saute 2 minutes or until shrimp are done. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Do the same with the chicken pieces until they are done, set aside.
- Heat 4 teaspoons oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add eggs, cook 30 seconds or until soft-scrambled, stirring constantly. Add sprouts, green onions and garlic, cook 1 minute. Add noodles and ketchup mixture,chicken and shrimp and cook 3 or 4 minutes or until heated and noodles are tender. Serve with chopped peanuts, chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
Nutrition
Some of the items used in this post are available here for your convenience.
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Nibbles By Nic says
Your Honeymoon sounds like it was amazing Cynthia!!! Thanks a bunch for stopping by Munching Mondays!!!! YUMMY DISH 🙂 Warmest, nic
Cynthia says
Thank you Nic!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
We ADORE Pad Thai in my house, and we’re actually planning a Thailand backpacking trip for next year! This meal is totally gonna get us all PUMPED UP for it! Pinned!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Needing to “get all my stuff together” Cynthia. This looks absolutely delicious and authentic. I’ve never made Pad Thai and always wanted to. Our Trader Joe’s isn’t far, will have to pick up those wide rice stick noodles. Thanks for the inspiration.
Julia says
This is a beautiful dish! We love pad thai in my house but I actually have never made it myself. I have to try it out!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Your honeymoon sounds amazing! I love trips like that! And even better when the food is good…can’t wait to try this!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
I could sit and eat and eat and eat this all night long and then again for breakfast.
Cynthia says
haha, if there’s any left! I never seem to make enough for the next day!
Taylor Kiser says
This pad thai looks incredibly delicious! Who needs take-out when you’ve got a recipe like this?!
Cynthia says
Thank you Taylor!
Marye says
This looks delicious, quick and easy! Perfect!
Cynthia says
Thanks Marye!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
Sounds like an amazing honeymoon! Made even better with awesome food!
Cynthia says
Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity! I could never imagine taking that much time off now!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I love pad Thai! It’s actually one of my favorite meals of all time. I made it once but it didn’t turn out great so I will be trying again with this recipe!
Cynthia says
I’ve been making this recipe for at least 20 years…It’s pretty hard to get restaurant quality pad thai, but this comes pretty close!
Maria says
Healthy and delish! Love the shrimp and seasonings:)
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Definitely giving this a try for lunch soon!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
I’ve never made Pad Thai, but D loves it! Would totally make this shrimp version (sans the cilantro at the end, though)! Looks so good!
Cynthia says
haha! It won’t be quite authentic without the cilantro…but still delicious!
Sunny Miller says
Cynthia!! I cannot wait to give this recipe a try!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! Sunny
Cynthia says
you are welcome! Let me know how you like it!
Danielle says
This sounds delicious! I’ve always wanted to go to Thailand – perhaps someday soon. Pad Thai is one of those dishes that I could eat all day. Plus, the fact that it’s healthy means that I can 🙂 I love being able to make takeout dishes at home.
The Food Hunter says
If I didn’t have a shrimp allergy I would make this in a heart beat.
Paula - bell'alimento says
Pad Thai is one of my favorite dishes. I’ve been getting it with fried tofu but I could go for some scrhimp : )
Cynthia says
you could put tofu and shrimp in it!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Pad Thai is one of my favorite dishes and this looks fabulous!
Cynthia says
Mine too! Thank you!
Jill @Mad About Macarons says
What a fabulous-sounding honeymoon. We went with the girls to Thailand a few years ago and one of our most deliciously happy foodie memories was Pad Thai. Thanks for the recipe, Cynthia. Looks wonderful!
Cynthia says
thank you Jill! It certainly was a memorable trip. Glad we did it before we had to settle down!
mimi rippee says
What a great post! It’s true, restaurants – at least where I live – can’t normally serve a decent pad Thai. Not that I’ve been to Thailand, tho! This looks much fresher!
Cynthia says
Yes, definitely fresher…and much cheaper too!