Authentic Pork Pad Thai Recipe: An Easy Thai Classic At Home

Ingredients

200g flat rice noodles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
500g pork loin, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges
Cilantro leaves, for garnish
For the sauce:
3 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons tamarind paste
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

Steps and instructions

Begin by preparing the noodles. Soak them in warm water for about 20-30 minutes until they are soft. Once ready, drain and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the sauce: fish sauce, soy sauce, tamarind paste, sugar, and red chili flakes. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the pork slices and cook until they are no longer pink. Remove from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, add the remaining oil and sauté the garlic and onion until fragbant. Add the beaten eggs and scramble until just set.
Add the noodles to the pan along with the prepared sauce. Toss everything together and cook for about 2-3 minutes until the noodles are tender.
Add the cooked pork back to the pan and stir to combine. Toss in the bean sprouts, half of the peanuts, and green onions. Cook for another minute until everything is well combined.
Serve the Pad Thai hot, garnished with the remaining peanuts, cilantro leaves, and a squeeze of lime.

Tools for making

Large pan or wok - The main cooking vessel for stir-frying the ingredients.
Small bowl - Used to mix the sauce ingredients together.
Tongs - Helpful for flipping and stirring the ingredients in the pan or wok.
Sharp knife - Needed to thinly slice the pork loin and chop the peanuts.
Cutting board - Used as a surface to safely chop and prepare ingredients.
Measuring spoons - Required to accurately measure the ingredients for the sauce.
Spatula - Useful for stirring and tossing the ingredients in the pan or wok.
Strainer or colander - Used to drain the soaked rice noodles.
Grater - Optional, for grating lime zest as a garnish.

Recipe variations

Substitute the pork with chicken, shrimp, tofu, or beef.
Use different vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms.
Add extra heat by including sliced Thai chili peppers or crushed red pepper flakes.
Experiment with different noodle types like egg noodles, udon noodles, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
Include additional toppings such as cilantro, basil, or mint leaves.
Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a drizzle of sriracha sauce for extra tanginess and spice.
For a vegetarian or vegan version, omit the fish sauce and use soy sauce or tamari instead.

Recipe overview

This Pork Pad Thai recipe brings the flavors of your favorite Thai restaurant right to your kitchen. Traditional Thai ingredients like tamarind paste, fish sauce, and flat rice noodles combine with thinly sliced pork, crunchy bean sprouts, and peanuts to create a dish that's both flavorful and satisfying. The recipe involves prepping the ingredients, making the sauce, cooking the pork, and then combining everything in a pan for a final toss. It's a relatively quick and easy process, perfect for a mid-week dinner. Expect a burst of umami flavors, punctuated with a hint of sweetness from the sauce and a crunchy texture from the peanuts. This recipe serves four and is best enjoyed hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Common questions

Can I use a different protein instead of pork? Yes, you can substitute pork with chicken, shrimp, beef, or tofu according to your preference.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Absolutely! Just omit the pork and add more vegetables or tofu as a substitute.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish? Of course! If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce or omit the red chili flakes. For a spicier version, add more chili flakes or even fresh chili peppers.
Can I make the sauce in advance? Yes, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before using.
Can I use different types of noodles? While flat rice noodles are traditional for Pad Thai, you can experiment with other noodles like egg noodles or even spaghetti if you don't have rice noodles on hand.
Can I add more vegetables? Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas to add more color and nutrients to the dish.

Serving dishes and utensils

Large pan or wok - A large pan or wok is essential for cooking the Pad Thai noodles and other ingredients.
Small bowl - You will need a small bowl to mix together the ingredients for the sauce.
Tongs - Tongs are helpful for flipping and tossing the ingredients in the pan.
Spatula - A spatula is useful for stirring and combining the ingredients while cooking.
Knife - A knife is needed for slicing the pork loin, chopping peanuts, and cutting the lime into wedges.
Cutting board - A cutting board provides a stable surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
Measuring spoons - Measuring spoons are required to accurately measure the ingredients for the sauce.
Strainer - A strainer is necessary for draining the soaked rice noodles.
Garnish bowl - A small bowl can be used to hold the cilantro leaves for garnishing the finished dish.

Origin stories

Interestingly, despite being synonymous with Thai cuisine, Pad Thai has a relatively recent history. It was actually introduced in Thailand during World War II. Faced with a rice shortage, the Thai government promoted eating noodles instead. The prime minister at the time, Plaek Phibunsongkhram, wanted to modernize Thailand and create a national dish that would also reduce domestic rice consumption. Thus, the simple and satisfying Pad Thai was created, incorporating Chinese-style stir-fried noodles with local flavors like tamarind and fish sauce. Today, it's hard to imagine Thai cuisine without Pad Thai, demonstrating how quickly culinary traditions can evolve and become embedded in a nation's identity.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.