Shrimp Pad Thai is a dish that is currently ruling the hearts of foodies all over the world. With the savory flavor of shrimp, it's the ideal balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors. We have brought you shrimp pad thai recipe that is easy to follow and extremely simple, even for new cooks. You can prepare this tasty dish that's perfect for any event in a matter of minutes.
What is Pad Thai?
Pad Thai serves as one of Thailand's most popular dishes. It's a stir-fried noodle dish with shrimp, vegetables, eggs, tofu, and peanuts among its ingredients. The dish has a distinct flavor profile that combines sugar, salt, and tamarind. This creates the ideal harmony of sweet, tangy, and salty flavors.
Pad Thai normally consists of rice noodles that are stir-fried with a variety of proteins. These proteins can be shrimp, chicken, or tofu. To add texture and flavor, bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, and fresh lime are commonly used as garnishes for the dish.
How to Make Shrimp Pad Thai?
It's not as hard as you might think to make shrimp pad thai at home. You can make a tasty dish that rivals the seafood menu at any eatery. You’ll just require the right ingredients and a few easy steps. The secret to successful stir-frying is to have everything ready to go before you begin cooking.
Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
Below is a quick and easy shrimp pad thai recipe that anyone may easily prepare. It's ideal for a special dinner with friends or a quick weeknight supper. Thus, let's delve into the details.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. rice noodles: The dish's foundation is these noodles. For optimal results, look for thin, flat rice noodles.
- 12–16 peeled and deveined medium shrimp: Shrimp are ideal for this recipe. It is because they cook quickly and impart a savory element to the meal.
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil: Toss the ingredients in two tablespoons of vegetable oil and stir-fry.
- 2 minced garlic cloves: Garlic gives the dish a flavor boost.
- 2 minced garlic cloves: Garlic gives the dish a flavor boost.
- 2 eggs, gently beaten: Eggs give a rich texture to pad thai and are a traditional ingredient.
- 1 cup bean sprouts: These give the dish a crunchy texture and a refreshing flavor.
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts: Peanuts give the dish a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture.
- 2 sliced green onions: Green onions give off a subtle color and flavor.
- 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste: The sour taste in the sauce comes from the tamarind.
- 2 tbsp. of fish sauce: Fish sauce gives the food a salty, umami taste.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Soy sauce gives the flavor depth.
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar: This adds sweetness and counteracts the sourness.
- 1 lime, cut into wedges: Lime garnish and adds a zesty, new flavor.
Procedure
Cook the Rice Noodles:
- Following the directions on the package, begin by cooking the rice noodles. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Since they will continue to cook in the pan later, ensure they are just firm enough to bite through.
Get the sauce ready:
- Now, combine the brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, and tamarind paste in a small bowl.
- After, that, mix the sauce thoroughly and stir until the sugar dissolves. Now, set it aside.
Sauté the Shrimp:
- Next, in a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the shrimp and sauté or stir-fry for two to three minutes, or until they are cooked through and pink.
- After taking the shrimp out of the pan, set them aside.
Cook the eggs and garlic:
- If necessary, add a little more oil to the same pan before adding the minced garlic.
- Then, stir-fry the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Push the garlic to one side and add in the beaten eggs.
- Scramble the eggs until just set, then mix in the garlic.
Mix Everything Together:
- When the eggs and garlic are in the pan, add the cooked rice noodles.
- Coat the noodles thoroughly by pouring the prepared sauce over them and tossing everything together.
- Then, add the chopped peanuts, green onions, and bean sprouts back to the pan with the shrimp.
- Stir-fry everything for an additional two minutes, or until thoroughly heated.
Serve:
- Lastly, spoon the shrimp pad thai onto plates for serving.
- Add extra chopped peanuts, bean sprouts, and lime wedges as garnish. Enjoy!
You can serve spiced butter sauce with a crab seafood boil. Here is the recipe for the spiced butter sauce.
Nutritional Facts
The nutritional breakdown of this shrimp pad thai recipe is as follows:
- Calories: Approximately 400-450 per serving
- Protein: 20-25 grams
- Carbohydrates: 50-55 grams
- Fat: 15-18 grams
- Fiber: 4-5 grams
- Sodium: 800-900 mg
The shrimp and eggs in this dish are rich in protein. On the other hand, the rice noodles serve as an ideal source of carbohydrates. The nuts and vegetable oil in the dish add a wealth of good fats. Even though this is a tasty and filling dinner, you should be aware of the sodium level. It is because of the soy sauce and fish sauce. Reduce the amount of fish sauce or use low-sodium soy sauce if you're watching your sodium intake.
Tips and Tricks to Prepare the Perfect Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe
To make the best Shrimp Pad Thai, you must balance the flavors and use the proper cooking methods. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you prepare it like a seafood near me eatery.
- Prepare Everything Ahead of Time: Shrimp Pad Thai cooks rapidly. Thus, before you begin cooking, make sure all of your ingredients are set up and ready to use. This involves creating the sauce, chopping the veggies, and cooking the noodles.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Adding fresh shrimp, garlic, and vegetables to your dish will improve its flavor profile. Don't use precooked shrimp because cooking them again can make them rubbery.
- Maintain a Balance in the Sauce: A delicious shrimp pad thai depends heavily on the sauce. To ensure a good balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors, taste it before adding it to the dish. Tip in the sugar, fish sauce, and tamarind according to taste.
- Cook over High Heat: When stir-frying over high heat, the ingredients cook through quickly while retaining their texture. It aids in preventing the noodles from adhering to the pan as well.
Ideal Side Dish Pairing with Shrimp Pad Thai
Even though shrimp pad thai is a full meal on its own. However, you can improve your dining experience by serving it with the appropriate side dishes. The following are some perfect side dishes to go with your shrimp pad thai:
- Thai Spring Rolls: Crispy and light, these vegetable-filled spring rolls are a great starter or side dish. They give the soft noodles an appealing contrast of crispness.
- Papaya Salad (Som Tum): Shrimp Pad Thai's rich flavors pair perfectly with this spicy and tangy salad. This salad consists of shredded green papaya, tomatoes, and peanuts. It gives the dish a crisp, flavorful touch.
- Steamed Vegetables: A basic side of steamed carrots, broccoli, or bok choy can provide a light and nutritious element to the meal. Additionally, the veggies absorb the flavorful Pad Thai sauce.
- Mango Sticky Rice: A traditional Thai dessert, mango sticky rice, is a great choice to go with your shrimp pad thai It is both hearty and sweet.
Refreshing Beverages to Complement with Shrimp Pad Thai
Combining Shrimp Pad Thai with the right beverage can improve the overall dining experience. The following cool beverages pair nicely with the dish:
- Thai Iced Tea: This sweet and creamy tea is a favorite to go with Thai food. Its deep flavor pairs with the tangy and savory Shrimp Pad Thai perfectly.
- Coconut Water: After indulging in the potent flavors of Pad Thai, this refreshing and light beverage is a great way to calm the palate.
- Lemongrass Iced Tea: The zesty flavor of lemongrass highlights the tanginess of the shrimp pad thai while the iced tea is fragrant and refreshing.
- Light Beer or Lager: If you'd rather drink something alcoholic, a mildly flavored light beer or lager would go nicely. It adds to the rich flavors of the shrimp pad thai perfectly without taking center stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
You certainly can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to pat them dry and fully thaw them before cooking to prevent the dish from becoming overly moist.
Conclusion
Shrimp pad thai is a tasty and simple dish suitable for any occasion. Its blend of salty, sour, and sweet flavors will make it a family favorite. This recipe for shrimp pad thai is very easy to make and a great option for a weeknight supper. Thus, try making this homemade shrimp pad thai and you'll be happy that you did!
