Name: Easy Homemade Pad Thai Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 8 oz rice noodles (flat and thick); 1 cup coconut milk; ⅓ cup peanut butter; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 4 tbsp tomato ketchup; 3 tsp fish sauce; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 3-4 dashes hot sauce (to taste); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 small onion, chopped thinly; 1 inch piece ginger, minced; 2-3 tbsp cooking oil; Chopped onions (green onions/scallions) for garnish; Chopped cilantro for garnish; Chopped peanuts for garnish; Juice of 1 lime (for drizzling)

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Introduction

Easy Homemade Pad Thai is a flavorful and satisfying dish you can whip up quickly at home. This recipe combines creamy peanut sauce with classic Thai flavors, making it a perfect weeknight meal that’s both comforting and vibrant.

A plate of creamy, light brown noodles fills the center, with each flat ribbon-like noodle coated in a smooth sauce that gives a shiny texture. Bright green coriander leaves are scattered on top, adding fresh color, while small red chili flakes speckle the dish lightly, giving hints of spice. The noodles sit in a deep, white bowl, and in the blurred background there are small lime wedges with a white marbled texture beneath the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 oz rice noodles (flat and thick)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 small onion (chopped thinly)
2-3 tbsp cooking oil
1 cup coconut milk
⅓ cup peanut butter
3 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp tomato ketchup
3 tsp fish sauce
1 tsp red pepper flakes
3-4 dashes hot sauce (adjust to taste)
1 inch piece ginger (minced)
Chopped onions, cilantro, and peanuts (for garnish)
Juice of 1 lime (for drizzling)

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium pot, boil enough water to cover the rice noodles. Cook the noodles for 3-4 minutes or until soft and separated. Drain immediately and set aside.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, peanut butter, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and tomato ketchup until smooth.
Step 3: Heat the cooking oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic, ginger, and chopped onion until softened and fragrant.
Step 4: Pour the prepared sauce into the wok, then add the cooked noodles. Use tongs to toss everything together, ensuring the noodles are evenly coated. The mixture will look saucy at first but the noodles will absorb it.
Step 5: Turn off the heat and drizzle lime juice over the noodles. Garnish with chopped onions, fresh cilantro, and peanuts before serving.

Tips & Variations

For added protein, stir in cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
Adjust the heat by adding more or less hot sauce and red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Use crunchy peanuts for extra texture.
Swap tomato ketchup with tamarind paste for a more authentic tangy flavor if available.

Storage

Store leftover Pad Thai in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or coconut milk to loosen the sauce if needed. For best texture, enjoy the dish freshly made.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a bowl filled with light orange creamy noodles, arranged in loose loops and coated evenly in sauce. Scattered on top are fresh green cilantro leaves and red chili flakes adding specks of color. On the side inside the bowl, there are two pale green lime wedges with textured skin. The bowl is white on the outside and black inside, sitting on a white marbled textured surface scattered with some chopped cilantro leaves and red chili flakes. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different noodles for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute rice noodles with flat wheat noodles or even spaghetti in a pinch, but rice noodles give the most authentic texture and flavor.

Is peanut butter necessary for Pad Thai sauce?

Traditional Pad Thai doesn’t usually include peanut butter, but it adds creaminess and depth to this homemade version. You can omit it or replace it with ground peanuts if preferred.