Authentic Vegan Pad Thai Sauce (In 30 Min)

One of the internationally known classics of Thai cuisine is the famous Pad Thai. If you want an authentic Pad Thai recipe with Pad Thai rice noodles, a spicy sweet Pad Thai sauce in just 30 minutes on your table, you should try this delicious and simple vegetarian tofu Pad Thai, which gets along with no fish sauce, chicken or even shrimp.

vegan | vegetarian | gluten free | wholesome | healthy | refined sugar-free

Asian cuisine, especially Thai cuisine, has always fascinated me. In addition to the classic coconut milk curries made from red or green curry, the Pad Thai dish is one of the most famous dishes that can be ordered in Thai restaurants worldwide.

The classic variant with egg and shrimp and fish sauce is unfortunately anything but vegan. It is absolutely not complicated to conjure up a vegan version of the tasty dish. As an alternative to the classic fish sauce, we simply use a little kelp powder to imitate the seay, fishy taste.

Which Thai dishes are your favorites?

What is Pad Thai?

Pad Thai or Phat Thai is a traditional noodle dish of the Thai cuisine. The dish is made from rice noodles, whisked eggs, fish sauce, tamarind paste, chopped cloves of garlic, chili powder, mung bean sprouts, crab, tofu or meat or seafood. Pad Thai is garnished with crushed peanuts, coriander leaves, lime, spring onions.

What ingredients do I need for a vegan Pad Thai?

In addition to the spices, you don't need too many ingredients. Here is a small overview of what is included in a Pad Thai:

Rice noodles

Garlic cloves

Shallots

Ginger

Extra firm tofu

Corn starch

Bean sprouts, fresh

Red pepper

Spring onions

Carrots

Roasted peanuts

Lime

Coriander

Soy sauce or coconut aminos, tamari

Kelp powder

Maple syrup

Rice vinegar

Hot sauce like Sriracha or Tabasco

Miso paste or tamarind paste

Lime juice

How is vegan Pad Thai prepared in 30 minutes?

First, cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.

Press the tofu and dice it. Now mix the tofu cubes with the cornstarch and briefly fry them vigorously in a wok or a coated pan. Now fry the chopped shallot and the chopped garlic cloves with the tofu. Add the ginger and the remaining vegetable ingredients and steam everything with a little water.

Now mix all the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and pour them over the tofu and vegetable mixture.

When the noodles are done, add them to the mixture.

Serve the pasta with peanuts, spring onions, and freshly chopped coriander leaves.

How to cook Pad Thai noodles?

Rice noodles or Pad Thai noodles don't have to cook for long. Bring a pot with water to boiling and cook the pasta for about 3-5 minutes. Always look at the package instructions.

Is vegan Pad Thai gluten-free?

Basically, the dish is a gluten-free dish depending on which sauce you choose, whether you use soy sauce, tamari sauce or coconut aminos. For a soy-free sauce, use coconut aminos.

I want a classic Pad Thai dish with egg replacement. What can I use?

I prepared the Pad Thai without egg replacement. Since I didn't like dishes with egg before, I have no problem cooking the dish without egg here.

If you would like to have a kind of scrambled egg in the recipe, you could prepare scrambled tofu from silken or soft tofu and then fold it in.

Here in the USA you can buy vegan scrambled eggs, which you could also use for this.

Instead of an egg replacement product, you could just add a little Kala Namak to add an egg taste.

 

Do I need Tamarind Paste for vegan Pad Thai?

As already mentioned, the traditional dish is prepared with tamarind paste. Tamarind gives the dish a sour, sweet taste. However, this ingredient is not easy to find. You could be successful in an Asia shop or you can order it here.

If you have a white miso paste at home, you could use miso paste instead of tamarind paste to create a strong taste. Both work great.

How is the fish sauce replaced in a classic Pad Thai recipe?

I use more soy sauce (or Tamari sauce) and some kelp powder in this recipe. But if you absolutely want to use a vegan fish sauce, you can omit the kelp powder and replace some soy sauce with vegan fish sauce.

Can I prepare vegan Pad Thai low carb?

The traditional Pad Thai is prepared with rice noodles and is therefore anything but low carb.

To make the dish low carb, just use a zucchini and a spiralizer and prepare zoodles. So you have the delicious Pad Thai sauce with a low carb alternative to noodles.

Tips for the best Pad Thai

• Prepare everything in advance and have everything at hand. For example, cut the vegetables beforehand.
• If you cover the tofu with cornstarch, it will be nice and crispy
• Use a coated pan or a non-stick wok to avoid using oil.
• Preheat the pan well before adding the tofu.
• Steam the vegetables with a little water or vegetable broth so that nothing burns.
• If you don't cook the noodles completely and heat them in a wok with the vegetables, they will be just right afterwards and won't fall apart.
• If the noodles are a little too dry and sticky, just add a little water or vegetable broth.
• Serve the dish immediately before the noodles start to stick.
• If you don't have kelp powder, you can leave it out. The Kelp powder gives a special taste. You can also replace it with other algaes.

More Asian dishes:

• Chop Suey
• Tofu sweet and sour

More vegan 30 minute recipes you might like:

• Tomato alfredo pasta
• Creamy pesto sauce
• Beetroot risotto

 

Do not forget to Pin on Pinterest 

Have you tried the recipe?

If you tried the vegan Pad Thai, be so nice ♥ and let me know by rating the recipe and writing what you think about it in the comments. Tag me on Instagram too. I am @veeatcookbake and my hashtag is #veeatcookbake. So that I can see your creation. Did you know you can add photos on Pinterest under the recipe Pin? I can’t wait to see a photo of your creation there. You find me with @veeatcookbake. I also would love to hear your feedback so I can share it on my social media channels. 

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