Pad Thai Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Peanuts

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Classic Thai street food combining rice noodles stir-fried with shrimp, eggs, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy-sweet tamarind sauce. This thai-inspired curry ready in about 35 minutes pairs dry rice noodles, vegetable oil, large shrimp, peeled and deveined for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak 8 oz dry rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes until pliable but still firm. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 3 tbsp fish sauce, and 2 tbsp grated palm sugar to create the Pad Thai sauce.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 12 large peeled shrimp to the wok and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Push shrimp to the side.
  5. Step 5: Crack 2 large eggs into the wok and scramble gently until just set, about 1 minute.
  6. Step 6: Add the drained noodles and the prepared tamarind sauce to the wok. Toss everything vigorously for 2-3 minutes until noodles absorb the sauce and are heated through.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 1 cup bean sprouts and 3 sliced green onions, cooking for another minute to slightly wilt the sprouts.
  8. Step 8: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts on top. Serve immediately with 4 lime wedges for squeezing over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pad Thai Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Peanuts take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 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 Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Peanuts?

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 dry rice noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pad Thai Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Peanuts?

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 Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Peanuts for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Peanuts?

Thai curry 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.

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