Thai-Inspired Shrimp Pad Thai

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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, shrimp, 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 low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 oz shrimp and 1 tbsp fish sauce, stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque.
  4. Step 4: Push shrimp to one side, add 2 beaten eggs, and scramble for 2 minutes until just set.
  5. 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.
  6. Step 6: Add 1 cup bean sprouts and 2 tbsp green onions, stir-fry for 1 minute until tender.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped peanuts and serve immediately.

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?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

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.

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