Pad Thai-Inspired Shrimp Stir Fry
A vibrant stir fry combining tender shrimp with a tangy tamarind sauce and fresh vegetables for a quick Thai-inspired meal. This thai-inspired stir fry ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined raw shrimp, rice noodles, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined raw shrimp
- 6 oz rice noodles
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 4 wedges lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 6 oz rice noodles in warm water for 15 minutes until pliable, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 4: Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Add 12 oz peeled shrimp and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque.
- Step 6: Toss in soaked noodles and pour the tamarind sauce over. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until noodles are heated through and coated in sauce.
- Step 7: Add 1 cup bean sprouts and 1/2 cup chopped scallions, tossing gently for 1 minute to combine and warm.
- Step 8: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1/4 cup crushed peanuts on top and serve immediately with 4 lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pad Thai-Inspired Shrimp Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pad Thai-Inspired Shrimp Stir Fry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pad Thai-Inspired Shrimp Stir Fry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pad Thai-Inspired Shrimp Stir Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pad Thai-Inspired Shrimp Stir Fry?
Thai stir fry like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
