Easy and Delicious Vegan Pad Thai Recipe

Ingredients

200g flat rice noodles
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 carrot, julienned
200g firm tofu, cut into cubes
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp peanut butter
100g bean sprouts
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
50g crushed peanuts
1 handful fresh coriander, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges

Steps and instructions

Soak the flat rice noodles in warm water for about 30 minutes until they are soft.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
Add the sliced red onion, minced garlic, sliced bell pepper, and julienned carrot to the pan. Sauté until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the tofu cubes to the pan and cook until they are golden on all sides, about 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, lime juice, and peanut butter until smooth. This is your pad Thai sauce.
Drain the soaked noodles and add them to the pan. Pour the pad Thai sauce over the noodles and toss to combine.
Cook the noodle mixture, stirring frequently, until the noodles are cooked and the sauce is evenly distributed, about 5 minutes.
Add the bean sprouts and sliced spring onions to the pan. Toss to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes more, until the bean sprouts are slightly softened.
Serve the vegan pad Thai topped with the crushed peanuts, chopped coriander, and lime wedges on the side.

Tools for making

Large pan or wok - You'll need a large pan or wok to stir-fry the ingredients and noodles.
Small bowl - This will be used to whisk together the ingredients for the pad Thai sauce.
Whisk - A whisk will help you mix the ingredients for the pad Thai sauce until smooth.
Tongs or spatula - You'll need tongs or a spatula for tossing and stirring the ingredients in the pan.
Knife - A knife will be needed for slicing the red onion, garlic, bell pepper, carrot, and spring onions.
Cutting board - This will provide a surface for chopping and preparing the vegetables.
Measuring spoons - Measuring spoons will ensure accurate measurements when adding the sauce ingredients.
Serving plates or bowls - You'll need plates or bowls to serve the finished vegan pad Thai.
Garnish tools - These can include a mortar and pestle for crushing peanuts, or a knife and cutting board for chopping fresh coriander.

Recipe variations

Substitute the firm tofu with tempeh or seitan for a different protein option.
Add a handful of cooked edamame beans for extra texture and protein.
Replace the flat rice noodles with zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles for a low-carb option.
Add your choice of vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, or baby corn to customize the dish.
For a spicy kick, add a teaspoon of sriracha or red chili flakes to the pad Thai sauce.
Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts or cashews for added crunch.
Swap the peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free alternatives.
For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
If you prefer a sweeter pad Thai, increase the amount of brown sugar or add a drizzle of agave syrup.
Experiment with different herbs and spices like Thai basil or cilantro to enhance the flavors.

Recipe overview

This Vegan Pad Thai recipe brings the vibrant flavors of Thailand right into your kitchen. This plant-based alternative to the classic dish is loaded with colorful veggies, hearty tofu, and flat rice noodles, all tossed in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce. The dish is topped with crunchy peanuts and fresh coriander for added texture and flavor, and served with a wedge of lime for a burst of citrus. This recipe is easy to follow and can be made in under an hour, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. Enjoy a taste of Thai cuisine with this delicious and healthy vegan pad Thai.

Common questions

Can I use other types of noodles instead of flat rice noodles? Yes, you can substitute flat rice noodles with other types of noodles such as rice stick noodles or even whole wheat noodles if you prefer.
Is there a substitute for tamarind paste? If you don't have tamarind paste, you can use lime juice as a substitute. However, tamarind paste adds a unique tangy flavor to the dish.
Can I use a different protein instead of tofu? Absolutely! You can replace tofu with other vegan protein options like tempeh, seitan, or even chickpeas if you prefer.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish? Certainly! If you prefer a spicier pad Thai, you can add some chopped fresh chili peppers or a dash of chili sauce to the recipe. Alternatively, if you prefer a milder version, you can reduce or omit the chili altogether.
Can I add more vegetables to this recipe? Definitely! The recipe provides a basic combination of vegetables, but you can add or substitute with your favorite vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, or snap peas to customize the dish to your liking.

Serving dishes and utensils

Large pan or wok - A large pan or wok is essential for cooking the ingredients and noodles together.
Whisk - A whisk is needed to combine the ingredients for the pad Thai sauce until smooth.
Small bowl - A small bowl is useful for whisking together the sauce ingredients.
Kitchen tongs - Kitchen tongs are helpful for tossing and stirring the noodles and vegetables in the pan.
Spatula - A spatula can be used for scraping the pan and ensuring all the ingredients are mixed well.
Knife - A knife is needed for slicing the red onion, garlic, bell pepper, carrot, and spring onions.
Cutting board - A cutting board provides a stable surface for chopping and slicing ingredients.
Measuring spoons - Measuring spoons are useful for accurately measuring the amounts of soy sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, lime juice, and peanut butter.
Serving plates or bowls - Plates or bowls are necessary for serving the prepared vegan pad Thai.
Garnish plate - A separate plate can be used for arranging the crushed peanuts, chopped coriander, and lime wedges for garnishing the pad Thai.

Origin stories

Pad Thai, a dish that has become synonymous with Thai cuisine worldwide, surprisingly, has a relatively short history. It rose to prominence during World War II due to rice shortages. The Thai government promoted the use of rice noodles and launched a campaign to educate the public on how to cook them. The result was 'Pad Thai'. Despite its recent origins, this dish has become an integral part of Thai food culture, both domestically and internationally. Interestingly, the traditional recipe was adapted to use local and available ingredients, so our Vegan Pad Thai is not far off the mark, embodying the spirit of adaptability that gave birth to the original dish.

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.