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Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai
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Shrimp Pad Thai is a vibrant Thai street food dish combining tender shrimp, chewy rice noodles, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy tamarind sauce. This recipe delivers a delicious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors with a spicy kick, ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for quick and healthy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Noodles and Protein

  • 8 oz rice noodles
  • 12 oz fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 large eggs

Sauce

  • 3 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp water

Aromatics and Vegetables

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup bean sprouts

Garnishes

  • 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Vegetable oil, for cooking

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Noodles: Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 20 minutes until pliable but still firm. Drain and set aside to avoid them becoming mushy later.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix tamarind paste, fish sauce, palm sugar (or brown sugar), and water until the sugar dissolves completely. This sweet-and-sour sauce is the heart of Shrimp Pad Thai.
  3. Cook the Shrimp: Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook until pink and just opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
  4. Sauté Aromatics and Eggs: In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, then add minced garlic and sliced shallots. Stir-fry until fragrant. Push them to one side, crack in the eggs, and scramble them until just set.
  5. Combine Everything: Add the drained noodles to the pan, pour the prepared sauce over, and toss to coat evenly. Return cooked shrimp to the pan, stir in bean sprouts and half of the crushed peanuts, and cook for another 2 minutes to combine flavors well.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the Shrimp Pad Thai to serving plates. Sprinkle with the remaining crushed peanuts, chopped green onions, and cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.

Notes

  • Prep ahead by soaking noodles and chopping ingredients before cooking for a smooth process.
  • Use a wok or large skillet over high heat to achieve authentic stir-fry flavor.
  • Do not overcook shrimp; they cook fast and become tough if overdone.
  • Taste and adjust the sauce balance with tamarind, sugar, or fish sauce as needed for perfect flavor.
  • Add crushed peanuts last to maintain their crunch and avoid sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: Shrimp Pad Thai, Thai recipe, rice noodles, tamarind sauce, stir-fry, quick dinner, gluten-free, seafood, Thai street food

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/shrimp-pad-thai/