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Flavorful Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe Easy Homemade Zesty Tamarind Sauce

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A quick and easy shrimp pad thai recipe featuring a zesty homemade tamarind sauce that balances sweet, sour, and spicy flavors for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) rice noodles, dry (thin or medium width works best)
  • 12 oz (340 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium-sized, fresh or thawed)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup bean sprouts, rinsed
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or peanut oil
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • Fresh cilantro leaves (optional garnish)
  • 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes or fresh chopped Thai chili
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Soak 8 oz (225 g) of rice noodles in warm water for 20-25 minutes until pliable but still a bit firm. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons tamarind paste, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 2 tablespoons palm sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon chili flakes, and 1/4 cup water until sugar dissolves completely. Set aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz (340 g) shrimp and sauté for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Pour in beaten eggs and gently scramble until just set but still moist. Push eggs to the side of the pan.
  5. Add minced garlic to the pan and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Toss in drained noodles and pour the tamarind sauce over. Toss everything together, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes, until noodles are tender and evenly coated.
  6. Return cooked shrimp to the pan, add bean sprouts and sliced green onions. Toss gently to combine and warm through for another minute.
  7. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts over the top and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Do not over-soak noodles to avoid mushiness. Use medium-high heat for stir-frying to prevent steaming or burning. Adjust chili flakes gradually to control spice level. Use fresh shrimp for best flavor and texture. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pad thai, tamarind sauce, easy pad thai, homemade pad thai, Thai noodles, quick dinner, zesty sauce, stir-fry shrimp

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/flavorful-shrimp-pad-thai-recipe-easy-homemade-zesty-tamarind-sauce/