Name: Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 8 oz flat rice noodles; 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped; 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 lime, juiced; 2 tsp sriracha; 1 tsp hot sauce; 1/4 cup peanut butter; Pinch of red pepper flakes

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This Vegetable Pad Thai is made with rice noodles, garlic, ginger, eggs, bell pepper, peanuts, scallions, limes and cilantro.

This Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe is made with rice noodles, garlic, ginger, eggs, bell pepper, peanuts, scallions, limes and cilantro.

If you're looking for a delicious and healthy meal that's packed with veggies, vegetable Pad Thai is the perfect dish for you. This classic Thai dish is made with stir-fried rice noodles, a medley of colorful vegetables, and a flavorful sauce made from sweet and savory ingredients like fish sauce, tamarind paste, and lime juice.

With a little bit of spice from chili pepper and the added crunch of peanuts and bean sprouts, Vegetable Pad Thai is a satisfying and nutritious meal that's easy to make at home. In this blog post, we'll share a recipe for vegetable Pad Thai and give you some tips and tricks to make it taste just like your favorite Thai restaurant.

If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Orange Chicken or my Sticky Honey Shrimp.

Jump to:

What is Pad Thai?
What is the difference between Pad Thai and Lo Mein?
Why you will love this recipe
Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe Ingredients
How to make Vegetable Pad Thai
What to serve with Vegetable Pad Thai
Substitutions
Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe Variations
Equipment
How to store Vegetable Pad Thai
Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe Top tips
Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe
Food safety

What is Pad Thai?

Pad Thai is a popular Thai dish that consists of stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, vegetables, and often meat or seafood. It is typically flavored with fish sauce, tamarind paste, and a combination of sweet and savory ingredients such as sugar, lime juice, and chili pepper. Pad Thai is often garnished with peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges, and can be served hot or cold. It is a staple of Thai cuisine and has become a popular dish in many parts of the world.

What is the difference between Pad Thai and Lo Mein?

Pad Thai and Lo Mein are both popular noodle dishes, but they come from different culinary traditions and have some key differences.

Pad Thai is a dish that originates from Thailand and is typically made with rice noodles that are stir-fried with eggs, vegetables, protein (such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu), and a flavorful sauce made from tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar. The sauce gives the dish a sweet, sour, and savory flavor profile, and it is often garnished with peanuts, bean sprouts, and lime wedges.

Lo Mein, on the other hand, is a Chinese dish that is made with wheat noodles that are boiled, then stir-fried with a variety of vegetables, protein (such as beef, chicken, or shrimp), and a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other flavorings. Unlike Pad Thai, which uses a rice noodle and has a distinct tangy flavor from the tamarind paste, Lo Mein has a heartier flavor from the wheat noodles and the use of soy sauce.

Why you will love this recipe

Flavorful: Pad Thai has a complex flavor profile that combines sweet, sour, and savory flavors. The combination of tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar creates a unique and addictive taste that is hard to resist.
Nutritious: Pad Thai is loaded with veggies, protein, and healthy fats. It's a great way to get a healthy dose of vegetables in your diet, with ingredients like carrots, bean sprouts, and bell peppers.
Versatile: Pad Thai is a versatile dish that can easily be adapted to suit different dietary needs and preferences. It can be made vegetarian or vegan by omitting the meat or using tofu instead.
Easy to make: While it may seem intimidating at first, Pad Thai is actually a relatively easy dish to make. Once you have all the ingredients on hand, it can be made in under 30 minutes.
Customizable: Pad Thai can be customized to your liking by adjusting the spice level or adding in your favorite veggies or proteins.
Satisfying: Pad Thai is a filling and satisfying meal that will leave you feeling satisfied and full. The combination of protein, veggies, and noodles makes it a well-rounded meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner.

Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

Flat Rice Noodles
Olive oil
Garlic
Ginger
Egg
Bell pepper
Peanuts
Cilantro
Soy sauce
Honey
Rice Vinegar
Lime juice
Sriracha
Hot Sauce
Peanut butter
Red pepper flakes

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make Vegetable Pad Thai

Cook the flat rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, sriracha, hot sauce, and peanut butter.

In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add bell pepper and peanuts and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the peppers are soft. Add beaten eggs to the skillet and scramble until cooked.

In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in bell pepper and peanuts and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the peppers are soft. Add beaten eggs to the skillet and scramble until cooked.

Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and pour the sauce over the top. Toss everything together until the noodles are coated in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the noodles are heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and red pepper flakes, and serve hot.

What to serve with Vegetable Pad Thai

Spring Rolls: Fresh and crispy spring rolls filled with vegetables and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce will make a great appetizer or side dish. Check out my Air Fryer Egg Rolls.
Edamame: Steamed edamame pods sprinkled with sea salt make a healthy and flavorful snack that pairs well with Pad Thai.
Thai-style Cucumber Salad: A light and refreshing cucumber salad dressed with a tangy and sweet dressing will balance out the heat and richness of Pad Thai.
Fried Rice: A simple and delicious side dish that can be customized with your favorite vegetables and protein, such as tofu or shrimp.
Thai Iced Tea: A sweet and creamy beverage made with black tea and condensed milk will complement the spiciness of Pad Thai.

Substitutions

Noodles: Instead of flat rice noodles, you can use other types of noodles such as soba noodles, udon noodles, or even spaghetti.
Vegetables: You can use any vegetables you have on hand, such as broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, or zucchini. You can also use frozen stir-fry vegetables if you want to save time.
Protein: If you want to make this dish vegetarian or vegan, you can use tofu or tempeh instead of meat. You can also use cooked chickpeas, edamame, or seitan for added protein.
Garnishes: If you don't have peanuts or cilantro, you can use cashews or almonds, and green onions or parsley instead.

Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe Variations

Spicy Pad Thai: If you like your pad thai spicy, add more sriracha or chili flakes to the sauce, or add sliced jalapenos or Thai chili peppers to the stir-fry.
Peanut Pad Thai: Add peanut butter to the sauce for a creamy, nutty flavor, and garnish with chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
Coconut Pad Thai: Add coconut milk to the sauce for a rich, creamy flavor, and garnish with shredded coconut for added texture.
Pad Thai Salad: Make a pad thai salad by tossing cooked noodles with shredded cabbage, carrots, and cucumber, and drizzling with the sauce.
Pad Thai Stir-Fry: Instead of stir-frying the vegetables separately, you can toss everything together in the wok or pan for a one-pan meal.

Check out my Baby Corn Stir Fry.

Equipment

Large pot for boiling the noodles
Wok or large frying pan for stir-frying the vegetables and noodles
Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring the ingredients
Cutting board and sharp knife for slicing the vegetables and garnishes
Small mixing bowl for making the sauce
Measuring spoons and cups for measuring the ingredients
Colander or strainer for draining the noodles
Serving dish or bowl for serving the finished dish
Optional: garlic press, vegetable peeler, and mortar and pestle for crushing garlic, peeling vegetables, and grinding peanuts or herbs.

How to store Vegetable Pad Thai

If you have leftovers of vegetable pad thai, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Before storing, make sure that the pad thai has completely cooled down to room temperature. You can also divide the pad thai into single servings for easier reheating.

To reheat the pad thai, you can microwave it in a microwave-safe dish, or heat it up on the stove in a frying pan or wok. You may need to add a little bit of water or oil to loosen up the noodles and prevent them from sticking together.

Vegetable Pad Thai Recipe Top tips

Use fresh ingredients: Fresh vegetables and herbs will enhance the flavor of the dish. Use firm and crisp vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and beansprouts for a crunchy texture.
Soak the noodles properly: Rice noodles can be tricky to handle as they tend to clump together. Soak the noodles in cold water for at least 30 minutes before cooking to loosen them up.
Cook the noodles just right: Overcooking the noodles can make them mushy, while undercooking can make them chewy. Cook the noodles until they are soft and tender but still firm to the bite.
Don't overcook the vegetables: Overcooked vegetables can lose their texture and nutritional value. Stir-fry the vegetables quickly over high heat to retain their crunchiness.
Customize the spice level: Adjust the amount of sriracha, hot sauce, or chili flakes in the sauce according to your preference for spiciness.
Use the right oil: Use a neutral oil like vegetable or peanut oil for stir-frying, as it can withstand high heat without smoking or burning.
Garnish with herbs and nuts: Adding chopped cilantro, green onions, and crushed peanuts as a garnish will give the dish a fresh and crunchy flavor.