Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (2024)

This fast and easy Tofu Pad Thai recipe comes together in 30 minutes with simple ingredients like rice noodles, lime, peanut butter, and fresh herbs.

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (1)
this recipe

I've always loved pad Thai, and I decided it was time to make a healthier version. This recipe is low on added oils, sweeteners, and thickeners. But let me tell you: it is PACKED with flavor. Lime juice, peanut butter, fish sauce and tamari make a totally delicious sauce that hits all the right notes.

This tofu pad Thai is:

  • Sweet, savory, salty, and acidic
  • Full of protein – but totally vegetarian!
  • Super satisfying, thanks to rice noodles, eggs, and tofu
  • A perfect blend of textures: soft, chewy noodles, creamy egg, crunchy tofu, and peanuts
Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (2)

What's In Traditional Pad Thai?

Traditionally, pad thai is made with rice noodles, some form of protein (often shrimp or chicken), egg, bean sprouts, veggies, and pad thai sauce. Pad thai sauce is what can be kind of tricky to make. It uses tamarind paste, fish sauce, dried shrimp powder, and lime, among other ingredients.

Pad thai is also usually stir-fried in a bunch of oil – typically vegetable oil – which actually makes it not so healthy.

Ingredients in Healthier Tofu Pad Thai

We kept things fairly traditional with the recipe, but I did end up changing up the sauce slightly to use ingredients that might be easier to find.

Here's what you'll need to make healthy tofu pad thai:

  • Rice noodles: I like to use stir fry/pad thai noodles since they have the most classic structure. They soak up the sauce best too.
  • Tofu: to keep this vegetarian, we're using extra firm tofu which I quickly saute first to get a little crust on the outside. If you prefer soft or firm tofu, that's fine!
  • Bean sprouts: I found mung bean sprouts, but any bean sprouts you can find are fine.
  • Carrots: these are the most traditional and I really like them. I end up thinly slicing them. For a fancy effect, you can make super thin slices on a mandolin.
  • Garlic: to give the dish some extra flavor and punch.
  • Green onions: we have thinly sliced about 4 – 5 green onions – they add so much flavor and a nice little pop of color in this mostly brown dish.
Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (3)

Pad Thai Sauce with Peanut Butter

To make the sauce, you'll need:

  • Tamari: I like using a gluten-free tamari because it's a bit more naturally gluten-free (less wheat, more soybeans)
  • Fish sauce: this gives the dish a really unique flavor. If you are vegetarian completely, you can use this vegan fish sauce.
  • Rice vinegar: adding in acid to the sauce really helps to balance the flavor and boost the overall dish.
  • Coconut sugar: pad thai does have some sugar and I like to use palm sugar because it's a little less sweet but has a robust flavor.
  • Peanut butter: to add even more peanut flavor, the peanut butter helps elevate that.

And we're finishing this dish off with some cilantro, chopped peanuts, and red pepper flakes.

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (4)

How to Make Pad Thai

There are a few things to balance as you're making this dish, but overall, it's super simple to make. Here are the steps to follow:

STEP ONE: The Noodles

Start by cooking your noodles according to the package instructions. While they're cooking you can move onto the next step.

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (5)

STEP TWO: The Tofu

We'll first quickly saute the tofu. Like you would chicken, we're going to sear the tofu so it has some crispiness.

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (6)

STEP THREE: The Veggies

Transfer the tofu to a plate and add the pan back to the heat. Then you'll add your veggies and garlic and quickly saute it until they're softened. Push them aside and then cook your eggs.

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (7)

STEP FOUR: The Sauce

While the veggies are cooking, whisk together your sauce. Should take about 30 seconds.

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (8)

STEP FIVE: The Whole Dish

And lastly, combine it all together! Add the (drained) noodles, the sauce, the tofu, and our extra goodies. Then serve it up!

What Else to Add to Pad Thai

Feel free to add in more ingredients for added flavor, texture, and nutrition if you'd like!

Here are some easy add-ins to homemade pad Thai:

  • Veggies: feel free to add whichever veggies you want – broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, etc.
  • Protein: not a fan of tofu? Swap out the tofu with chicken, shrimp, scallops, meat, etc.
  • Peanuts: if you don't like peanuts or are allergic, you can swap the peanuts with almonds and almond butter

And if you have anything else you'd like to add, go for it! This dish can be totally your own ❤️

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (9)

How to Make Pad Thai…Vegan!

And lastly, if you want to make this recipe completely vegan, you can!

Swap the fish sauce with vegan fish sauce. For the egg, just leave it out. Or if you have access to a vegan egg replacement, you can do that as well.

It's super easy, it's healthy and it's absolutely delicious!

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (10)

More Healthy Thai-Inspired Dishes

  • Quinoa Pad Thai Salad
  • Chicken Pad Thai Quinoa Burgers
  • Almond Butter Thai Quinoa Salad
  • Pad Thai Zucchini Noodle + Quinoa Salad
  • Thai Peanut Chopped Spinach Salad

If you make this Tofu Pad Thai, be sure to let me know what you think with a comment below!

30-Minute Tofu Pad Thai

4.8 from 30 votes

This super easy tofu pad thai recipe takes 30 minutes, is healthy, gluten-free and vegetarian. It tastes like takeout, but without any junk! Made with egg, peanut butter and coconut sugar!

author: Alyssa

yield: 4 servings

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (11)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 25 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

for the noodles:

for the sauce:

Instructions

  • Begin by cooking the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain once cooked.

  • While the noodles are cooking, cut the tofu into cubes. Heat the oil in a large pan and place the tofu in the pan. Sear for 2 – 3 minutes per side. Once the tofu is seared, transfer it to a plate.

  • Into the same skillet, add the bean sprouts, carrots, and garlic. Cook until the carrots have softened, about 3 minutes.

  • While those are cooking, quickly whisk together the sauce.

  • Once the veggies are done, push them to the side of the pan. Crack both eggs in the pan and scramble them. Combine with the veggies.

  • Add the tofu, drained noodles, green onions, cilantro, lime, pepper flakes, and sauce. Toss to combine.

  • Plate the pad thai and top with additional cilantro, chopped peanuts, sliced hot peppers, and a spritz of lime (if desired). Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 632kcal | Carbohydrates: 104g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 1816mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 6071IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 4mg

cuisine: Thai

course: Entree

★★★★★

Did You Make This Recipe?

Be sure to share a comment and rating to let us know!

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (12)

Filed Under:

  • Dairy Free
  • Dinner
  • Flexitarian
  • Gluten-Free
  • Quick Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Stovetop
  • Vegetarian
Tofu Pad Thai Recipe {30 Minutes!) - Simply Quinoa (2024)

FAQs

Is Pad Thai healthy? ›

It can definitely be a part of a balanced, well-rounded diet. While pad thai includes many nutritious ingredients, its sodium content is considerably high. You can reduce its sodium by requesting the eatery go easy on the sauce and salt-contributing condiments.

How many calories are in Pad Thai with tofu? ›

Magic Wok: This restaurant's recipe lists rice noodles and homemade Pad Thai sauce as the base for the dish as well as bean sprouts, fried shallots, green onions, ground peanuts and cilantro. Choose from shrimp (630 calories per serving), tofu (670 calories) or chicken (680 calories).

Is tofu used in Thai cooking? ›

Origin of Pad Thai

It was born out of a combination of a rice shortage and Thailand's prime minister wanting to create a national dish. It's traditionally made with rice noodles (which were borrowed from Chinese cuisine), egg, tofu, dried shrimp, and a salty-sweet-sour sauce.

Does Pad Thai always have tofu? ›

Pad Thai is a Thai noodle stir fry with a sweet-savoury-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It's made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp.

What is the unhealthiest Thai dish? ›

Worst: Red or Green Curry

Thai curries are usually made with a hefty dose of coconut milk, and that won't do your diet any favors. One cup of the creamy milk packs in 400 calories. It also has 36 grams of saturated fat -- more than three times the recommended daily amount.

What is the healthiest Thai food to order? ›

10 of Our Favorite Healthy Thai Dishes, According to a Dietitian
  • Clear spicy Thai soup.
  • Hainanese chicken with rice.
  • Steamed fish.
  • Coconut lemongrass clams.
  • Garlic stir-fried vegetables.
  • Mango sticky rice.
  • Coconut water.
  • Tips.
Aug 19, 2022

What is the lowest calorie Thai food in a restaurant? ›

Thai Food Calories List
Healthiest Thai Food (calories)Approximate Calories per Serving
Tom Jued (Clear Soup)60-80 calories
Pad Pak Ruam (Mixed Vegetables Stir-Fry)100-150 calories
Khao Pad (Thai Fried Rice)300-400 calories
Tom Kha Gai (Coconut Chicken Soup)250-350 calories
16 more rows

How many calories should I eat a day? ›

Women should consume no less than 1,200 calories per day, while men should consume no less than 1,500 per day (unless otherwise instructed by a doctor). The generally recommended amount of calories that women should consume is around 2,000 calories per day while men should aim for 2,500 calories per day.

How many carbs are in pad thai? ›

Pad thai, with meat (1 cup) contains 34.6g total carbs, 32.7g net carbs, 12g fat, 20.4g protein, and 330 calories.

What are the three types of tofu? ›

Tofu is categorized as silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm. Silken, the softest type of tofu, can be compared to a young white cheese. Firm tofu, the most common, has the same consistency as feta, while the texture of super-firm can be compared to that of meat.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

What the heck is tofu? ›

What is tofu? Tofu, which originated in China, is made of condensed soy milk that's pressed into solid white blocks in a process similar to cheese making. Nigari, a mineral-rich coagulant that's left over after salt is extracted from seawater, is used to help tofu solidify and keep its form.

What can I use instead of soy sauce in pad thai? ›

Her recipe uses tamari, but feel free to substitute coconut aminos if you're allergic to soy. Pad Thai (Gluten-, Soy-, and Dairy-free): From Jessica's Kitchen cooks up a classic pad Thai using fresh lemon and lime juice, fish sauce, and tamarind paste to create a delicious savory flavor.

Is there a Chinese equivalent to pad thai? ›

Kway Teow is a Chinese loan word, based on the southern Chinese [Hokkein] pronunciation of guǒtiáo 粿條 (strips of rice cakes). According to Mr. Ferdman, the name matches the reality. There's really nothing Thai about the dish: not the rice noodles and certainly not the preserved radish.

Why is pad thai not vegan? ›

Traditionally, pad thai isn't vegan, as it uses fish sauce and eggs (and sometimes dried shrimp). It is easy to make vegan, however, and there are many variations on the traditional recipe.

How many calories are in a Pad Thai? ›

Calories in one cup of typical pad thai are almost 300–400 estimated, it also has a lot of fat and sodium.

Are Pad Thai noodles healthier than pasta? ›

Pasta and rice noodles are just about tied when it comes to calories, fat and fiber, as well as on the carb front (if you're on a low-carb diet like keto, stick to zoodles). Regular pasta has about 2 grams of sugar per serving while rice noodles are virtually sugar-free. Both are also free of cholesterol.

Is Thai food healthy for weight loss? ›

Thai food is fairly healthy and good for weight loss. In fact, many Westerners tend to lose between 3% and 5% of their body weight in 1-2 months if they switch from Western foods to Thai foods.

Is Thai healthier than Chinese? ›

Thai food is often healthier than Chinese food. Thai food puts a focus on balance and variety. They are often light and the aromas are just as important as the taste of the food. Thai food uses less heavy sauces and oils than Chinese food uses that are healthier for you, if any oil at all.

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