Thai-Inspired Shrimp Pad Thai
A quick and flavorful stir-fried noodle dish with shrimp, tamarind, and bean sprouts. This thai-inspired seafood (low-carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs rice noodles, peeled and deveined shrimp, beaten egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 2, beaten egg
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1, juiced lime
- 1/4 cup, chopped peanuts
- 2 tbsp, sliced green onions
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz shrimp and 1 tbsp fish sauce, stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Push shrimp to one side, add 2 beaten eggs, and scramble for 2 minutes until just set.
- Step 5: Add cooked noodles, 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 1/2 cup water. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Add 1 cup bean sprouts and 2 tbsp green onions, stir-fry for 1 minute until tender.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped peanuts and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Thai-Inspired Shrimp Pad Thai take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Thai-Inspired Shrimp Pad Thai?
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 Thai-Inspired Shrimp Pad Thai?
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 Thai-Inspired Shrimp Pad Thai 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.
Is Thai-Inspired Shrimp Pad Thai low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
