Quick & Easy Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe

Name: Quick & Easy Shrimp Pad Thai
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 lb pad Thai rice noodles; 1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter; 2 tablespoons sambal oelek chili paste; 1 lime, zest of, plus 3 tablespoons lime juice; 1/4 cup fish sauce, plus additional, to taste; 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil); 1 lb shrimp (16-20 count, peeled and deveined); 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 1/4 cups bean sprouts; 3/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro, plus additional for serving; roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped for garnish; lime slice, for serving

Servings: persons

1/2 lb pad Thai rice noodles
1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 tablespoons sambal oelek chili paste
1 lime, zest of, plus 3 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup fish sauce, plus additional, to taste
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)
1 lb shrimp (16-20 count, peeled and deveined)
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 1/4 cups bean sprouts
3/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro, plus additional for serving
roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped for garnish
lime slice, for serving

1
Place rice noodles in a large bowl. Cover with very hot tap water, stir and set aside until tender, 20 minutes. Do not over soak. Drain and reserve 1 cup soaking liquid.
2
Whisk to combine peanut butter, sambal, lime zest, fish sauce and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3
In a large skillet over high heat, warm oil until shimmering. Add shrimp and cook until nearly cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Add noodles, peanut butter mixture and ? cup reserved soaking water. Cook until fragrant and warmed through. Remove from heat, add lime juice and season to taste with additional fish sauce, adding additional soaking water if necessary to thin sauce. Add tomatoes, bean sprouts and cilantro. Toss everything together to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with peanuts, cilantro and sliced limes.
4
Serve immediately, garnished with peanuts, cilantro and sliced limes.

547

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1/2 lb pad Thai rice noodles, 1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons sambal oelek chili paste, 1 lime, zest of, plus 3 tablespoons lime juice, and more.

Yes, Quick & Easy Shrimp Pad Thai falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Quick & Easy Shrimp Pad Thai

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions