EASY TOFU PAD THAI

Pad Thai is one of our FAVORITE takeout dishes. It’s on weekly repeat around here!

We’ve shared an incredible Noodle-Free Pad Thai in the past, but sometimes it’s nice to have the filling, noodle-y goodness that comes with a more classic version of the dish.

This simple plant-based version of Pad Thai takes just 30-minutes to prepare and delivers a hefty helping of flavor. Let’s do this!

Bird's eye view image of ingredients for our Vegan Pad Thai recipe

It starts with tamarind, which gives the sauce bold color and a classic Pad Thai flavor. The tamarind is mixed with coconut aminos, coconut sugar, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and Vegetarian Fish Sauce (optional), creating the perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and umami.

Stirring together ingredients for our easy homemade Pad Thai sauce

Next, bites of tofu are gently sautéed in oil to add a delicious dose of protein (16.6 grams per serving!) to the meal. Garlic and chili flake add heat and pops of flavor!

Sauteing tofu and garlic in a pan to make our Easy Pad Thai recipe

Rice noodles are soaked briefly in hot water, then tossed together with the sauce, green onions, bean sprouts, and peanuts. Serious swoon.

Using tongs to toss pad thai noodles with sauce, green onions, and bean sprouts to make our Pad Thai recipe

And that’s it! In less time than it takes to get a takeout order delivered, dinner is on the table. To make this dish even more special, we like to garnish it with carrot ribbons, cilantro, chili garlic sauce, and peanut sauce.

Platter and plate filled with our Easy Tofu Pad Thai recipe

We hope you’ll love this dish! It’s:

Simple
Flavorful
Hearty
Crunchy
Versatile
& Delicious

This makes an excellent, satisfying meal on its own, but if you’re looking for extra veggies, it would pair nicely with Papaya Salad, Thai Spring Rolls, or Thai Carrot Salad. While we love this noodle version, if you are looking for a lighter option be sure to try our Noodle-Free Pad Thai!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

Using chopsticks to pick up a bite of Easy Vegan Pad Thai

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

SAUCE

1 ½ tsp tamarind paste / concentrate* (or sub additional 1 Tbsp / 15 ml lime juice as recipe is written)
1/3 cup coconut aminos (or sub half the amount with tamari or soy sauce and work your way up as it’s saltier)
3 ½ Tbsp coconut sugar
1 ½ tsp chili garlic sauce
1 ½ Tbsp lime juice
1-2 tsp Vegetarian Fish Sauce ( or store-bought // optional)

STIR FRY

1 Tbsp sesame oil (if avoiding oil, omit and use a nonstick pan)
1 cup cubed extra firm tofu
2 Thai red chilies (fresh or dried), chopped OR 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 cloves yield ~1 Tbsp or 6 g)
1 Tbsp coconut aminos (or tamari)
1 cup bean sprouts
1 cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup chopped roasted salted peanuts

NOODLES

8 ounces Pad Thai rice noodles (We like Annie Chun’s brand)

FOR SERVING optional

Lime wedges
Bean sprouts
Peanut sauce
Shredded carrot
Cilantro
Sriracha or Chili Garlic Sauce (we like Huy Fong Foods brand)

Instructions

To a small saucepan, add tamarind, coconut aminos, coconut sugar, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and vegetarian fish sauce (optional) and heat over medium heat until just simmering. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring occasionally, then turn off heat. Set aside.
Ensure all stir fry ingredients are prepped, including cubed (briefly pressed) tofu, chopped green onions, minced garlic, bean sprouts, and chopped peanuts. If serving with peanut sauce (optional), prepare at this time.
Add Pad Thai noodles to a large bowl and cover with just boiling water. Stir and cover and cook according to package instructions (usually about 5-6 minutes or until al dente).
Drain noodles and toss with a little sesame oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Heat a large-rimmed skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add oil and tofu and sauté for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally so it browns on all sides. Add red pepper flakes or Thai chilies, garlic, and coconut aminos (be careful, as the coconut aminos can splatter). Toss gently to combine until garlic is just slightly browned.
Add noodles, Pad Thai sauce, bean sprouts, green onions, and peanuts and cook over medium-high heat, tossing occasionally (tongs are most useful) for about 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has coated everything and the dish is hot.
To serve, plate with additional garnishes such as lime wedges, bean sprouts, peanut sauce, shredded carrot, cilantro, and sriracha or chili garlic sauce (all optional).
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for approximately 3-4 days.

Notes

*Tamarind comes in many forms, including fresh, paste, concentrate, sauce, and more. We have made Pad Thai with mainly paste, sauce, and concentrate, all of which produce varied results. However, the tamarind concentrate linked above produces consistently good results. It’s concentrated, which is why the recipe only calls for a small amount. However, if using more of a “sauce” — which should have a lighter consistency and color — feel free to add more to taste. Tamarind adds a tartness to the sauce, which can be enhanced or mocked with lime juice in a pinch.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with brown rice Pad Thai noodles and without optional ingredients or garnishes.