Stir-Fried Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce and Peanuts

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

A classic Thai noodle dish featuring rice noodles stir-fried with tamarind sauce, shrimp, tofu, and topped with crunchy peanuts and fresh lime wedges. This Thai-inspired noodle recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs rice noodles, shrimp, peeled and deveined, firm tofu, cubed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Thai cuisine 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz rice noodles
6 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 oz firm tofu, cubed
3 tbsp vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
2 large eggs
1 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
2 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
4 wedges lime wedges
1/2 tsp red chili flakes

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Instructions

Step 1: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes until softened but still firm, then drain.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tbsp palm sugar until sugar dissolves to make the Pad Thai sauce.
Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 4: Add 6 oz shrimp and 4 oz cubed firm tofu, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turns pink and tofu is golden on edges.
Step 5: Push shrimp and tofu to the side of the wok, crack in 2 large eggs, and scramble gently until just set.
Step 6: Add the drained rice noodles and pour in the prepared sauce, tossing everything together for 2 minutes until noodles are evenly coated and heated through.
Step 7: Stir in 1 cup bean sprouts and 1/2 cup sliced green onions, cooking for another 1 minute until slightly wilted.
Step 8: Remove from heat and serve immediately topped with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts, a sprinkle of 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, and 4 lime wedges on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce 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 rice noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce and Peanuts for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Stir-Fried Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce and Peanuts?

Thai noodles 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.