Vegetable pad thai

The famous Thai stir-fried noodle dish, in a balanced plant-based version: rice noodles, lots of crunchy vegetables, tofu and a tangy peanut sauce. Colourful, tasty and complete, it is a supper that takes you travelling without the excess fat of restaurant versions.

Prep: 20 min  |  Cooking: 10 min  |  Servings: 4  |  Difficulty: Easy

Calculated per serving from Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, based on the quantities in the list. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 212 kcal · 12 g protein · 20 g carbohydrate · 9 g fat

Ingredients

• 250 g of rice noodles
• 200 g of firm tofu
• 2 carrots
• 1 pepper
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 lime
• 2 spring onions

Method

1. Soak the rice noodles according to the instructions, then drain.
2. Brown the diced tofu and set aside. Stir-fry the carrots and pepper, cut into strips, over a high heat.
3. Make the sauce: soy sauce, peanut butter, lime juice and a little water.
4. Add the noodles, tofu and sauce to the wok and toss for 2 minutes. Serve with spring onions and peanuts.

Nutritional benefits

This homemade pad thai is far more balanced than restaurant versions, which are often very fatty and sweet: tofu provides plant protein, rice noodles carbohydrate (gluten-free), and the abundance of vegetables fibre, vitamins and crunch. Peanut butter gives creaminess and healthy fats, and lime adds freshness. By controlling the sauce, you control the sugar and salt. A complete, plant-based dish full of flavour.

Variations and substitutions

• With prawns or chicken (not vegan).
• More vegetables: bean sprouts, cabbage, broccoli.
• Peanut-free: tahini or almond butter in the sauce.
• Spicier: chilli, garlic, ginger, sriracha sauce.

Storage and make-ahead

Pad thai keeps for 2 days in the fridge and is quickly reheated in a frying pan with a drizzle of water. Make the sauce ahead for a quick assembly. Also delicious cold as a noodle salad.

💡 Good to know

Prepare all the ingredients before you start (vegetables cut, sauce mixed): pad thai cooks very quickly over a high heat, so you do not want to be caught out along the way.

Related reading

Discover more vegetarian recipes · vegan recipes · healthy & balanced recipes.

The foods in this recipe: rice noodles · tofu · carrots · pepper · soy sauce.

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