Easy Vegan Pad Thai Recipe made with quick ingredients. This healthy vegan pad Thai recipe takes less than 45 min to make. I like to make this on busy weeknights!
I discovered Pad Thai at a tiny hole in the wall restaurant in lower Manhattan!
This place was tiny, but, they made a MEAN vegan pad Thai. I made special trips to that place which was completely out of my way (I lived on the Jersey shores), just to get this Pad Thai
That’s how good their Pad Thai recipe!
Now, I live in Florida and going to visit this restaurant is impossible!
So, I make it at home! Its not nearly as good as the restaurant’s recipe, but, it hits the spot. I love the broccoli in this recipe which I normally don’t see anywhere else
The fresh broccoli is the best part of this recipe, so, don’t skimp out on it.
P/S: if you like quick Asian dinner recipes, you must try my easy Lo Mein recipe
Incidentally, I have heard this recipe being referred to as Padthay. How do you refer to it?
Tips for making vegan pad Thai
– I chose to go with only 2 veggies because I wanted to keep it a quick and simple dinner recipe. If you have more time, add more veggies like snap peas, shredded carrots, cabbage and any other veggies you have in your fridge. Cook those veggies along with the broccoli and bell pepper
– For the pad Thai noodles, I kept it simple too. I went with the traditional (affiliate link) stir fry rice noodles because they are so very easy to make. All you do is put them in hot water and you have instant noodles.
– Since it is a very peanut centric recipe, I thought I would add some sriracha to accentuate the flavors of the pad Thai. Boy, was that a good decision! This meal has a nutty and spicy flavor. If you don’t like the spice, just add some apple cider vinegar
– Cut veggies as small as you can. The bell peppers should have been even thinner than what I made, It really gives the Pad Thai an even texture.
– If possible, make the pad Thai sauce first and set it aside
Making The Vegan Pad Thai Sauce
1) In a small pan, add 3 Tbsp of soy sauce and heat at very low heat
2) Add 1 Tbsp of sriracha sauce and mix well
3) Add a 1/4 tsp of finely chopped ginger
4) Add 1/2 tsp of peanut butter (not pictured) and 2 tsp of brown sugar.
5) Add 3/4 cup of water (not pictured) and mix well. Remove from heat and set aside
Making The Vegan Pad Thai Recipe
1) Chop 1 broccoli crown to make about 2 cups of finely chopped broccoli. Chop half of a red pepper finely
2) Bring 3 cups of water to a boil
3) While the water is boiling, add 3 Tbsp of peanut oil or sesame oil to a pan. Heat for 30 seconds
4) Add the broccoli and red peppers to the pan and stir
5) Add 1/4 tsp of salt to the pan and stir gently
6) Add 1 Tbsp of soy sauce to the pan and stir gently. Cook until the broccoli is tender and then turn of the heat. Set aside
7) The water should be boiling now, so, remove from the heat and add the stir fry noodles to it. Don’t leave them in the water for more than 8 minutes.
8) Drain the noodles and put them in the same pan that you drained them.
9) Add the broccoli and red peppers
10) Add the sauce and mix well. Top with 1/4 cup of roughly chopped peanuts (unsalted)
Printable Vegan Pad Thai Recipe
Pad Thai Recipe (Vegan)
Ingredients
For the vegan pad Thai sauce
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sriracha sauce
- 1/4 tsp ginger finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp peanut butter or sesame oil
- 2 tsp brown sugar Or 3 tsp Maple Syrup / Agave
- 3/4 cup water
For the Pad Thai
- 3 cups water for soaking the noodles
- 8 Oz rice noodles
- 2 cups broccoli finely chopped
- 1/2 bell pepper julienne
- 3 Tbsp peanut oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup peanuts unsalted
Instructions
To Make the Pad Thai Sauce
- In a small pan, add 3 Tbsp of soy sauce and heat at very low heat
- Add 1 Tbsp of sriracha sauce and mix well
- Add a 1/4 tsp of finely chopped ginger
- Add 1/2 tsp of peanut butter (not pictured) and 2 tsp of brown sugar.
- Add 3/4 cup of water (not pictured) and mix well. Remove from heat and set aside
To cook the rice noodles
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil
- Remove water from the heat and add the stir fry noodles to it
- Keep the noodles in the water for no more than 8 minutes
- Drain the noodles and put them in the same pan that you drained them. Set aside
To cook the veggies
- While the water is boiling, add peanut oil to a pan and heat for 30 seconds
- Add the broccoli and red peppers to the pan and stir
- Add salt and soy sauce to the pan and stir gently
- Cook until the broccoli is tender and then turn of the heat. Set aside
- Add the cooked broccoli and red peppers to the cooked rice noodles
- Add the sauce and mix well
- Garnish with 1/4 cup of roughly chopped peanuts and serve
This perhaps can be a good recipe, however as a Thai chef (who’s also vegetarian) I have to let you know that this is an entire different dish, therefore may I suggest to say this is not a Pad Thai recipe? Pad Thai is a dish that combines 3 important ingredients: Thai soy sauce (substitute of fish sauce), palm sugar (or brown sugar), and tamarind juice (or fresh lime juice). Taste should be a harmonious sweet, salty, and sour. Peanut is an additional, peanut is not a main ingredient. The hot or spicy part can be added upon desired. But to be the Pad Thai dish, it needs to have these mentioned key elements.
Thank you, Atchara. That is so true. I do love soy and palm sugar combo. For this recipe, though, I wanted to try something different. I think it works great as written, but, I will be happy to try your version too.
thank you, thank you , thank you and God bless you for creating this recipe. It was delicious and my kids loved it. I added more veggies (purple cabbage, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, tofu, onions etc) and forgot the 3/4 cup of water BUT it was still great. Hopefully I will remember to add the water next time. Thank s again.
Thank you, Sharnett! I am so happy to hear that. What a clever idea to use purple cabbage and a mix of peppers. I am so delighted to hear that you made this in your special way.
So wonderful and colorful
Thank you, Kallee
I’ll have to make a pot of this just for me (we have peanut allergies) which is fine with me, more that I don’t have to share! 🙂
Thank you, Victoria
My hubby loves pad Thai–I don’t know why I’ve never tried to make it at home. I should totally try your recipe!
Thank you, Cathy. Your husband has great taste.
Really beauitful recipe! Pinned.
Thank you, Linda. I really appreciate you sharing this recipe.
I love pad thai!
Thank you, Jamie. Me too!
Looks so delicious! My mom is a huge fan of Thai Food and she’s always looking for recipes to make it!!! This one looks like a great one for her!!! Thank you for the recipe!
Hugs
Thank you, Cami. I think your mom will like this recipe for Thai food.
This looks unbelievably delicious. I’ve never had vegetarian Pad Thai. I’ll definitely have to give it a shot. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Theresa
I love adding peanuts or cashews to stir frys. I’ve never made pad Thai but this looks like a great place to start!
Thank you, Matt! Ooooh, Cashews! I should have added them to this recipe. I am going to add it next time
This makes me hungry!
Thank you, Dru. I am sending you a bowl.
I LOVE pad thai. I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Thank you, Jillian
I love ideas that we can add to our menu for “make your own take out” nights. I think this may be added to an upcoming meal plan. Thanks!
Thank you, Stephanie
Vegan Pad Thai – brilliant! I can’t wait to make this for Cheryl – it’s her favorite.
Thank you, Kathy
This is going on my must make for dinner this! I’ll let you know how my hubby likes it!
Thank you, Melanie. I have a feeling that he really liked it?
It is FREEZING here today in Canada, so I feel your cold temperatures are summer temperatures for us, haha. We are looking at minus 22 Celsius. I said screw it, not walking my daughter to school!! On the other hand, I would be more than happy with this pad Thai! We love noodle dishes here, and this would fit perfectly into my diet.
Thank you, Kacey. Those are some really cold temperatures! Stay warm there and hope you enjoy your summers
I love pad thai but I rarely make it at hope. This recipe looks great! Definitely pinning for later 🙂
Thank you, Liz.
Yum! I love pad thai but have never tried a vegan version without fish sauce. I may have to venture this one.
Thank you, Alisa
I would never turn down pad thai! You have me craving some now! Best classic Thai dish!
Thank you, Rebecca
I love the flavors in Thai food. This would be a quick dish to make for the family. Looks really tasty!
Thank you, Linda