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Tasty Thai Noodle Stir-fry

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Let rice noodles soak while making tangy sauce with fish sauce and lime. Toss shrimp or chicken in hot wok, move to side. Beat eggs, throw in vegetables. Add softened noodles and sauce, stir until everything's warm and well-mixed. Sprinkle with peanuts, herbs, and fresh lime juice. Just half an hour for authentic Thai flavors.

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Updated on Thu, 17 Apr 2025 21:08:39 GMT
A close-up of a bowl of stir-fried noodles with shrimp, vegetables, peanuts, and lime wedges, garnished with fresh herbs. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of stir-fried noodles with shrimp, vegetables, peanuts, and lime wedges, garnished with fresh herbs. | cookingkitchn.com

This noodle stir-fry brings authentic Thai street vendor flavors straight into your home. Whipped up in half an hour, these rice noodles blend tangy, sweet, and savory elements that'll make you crave more. It's easy to throw together and delivers knockout tastes that folks can't get enough of.

Top Reasons Why You'll Love Homemade Thai Noodles

Cooking these Thai noodles yourself pays off for several good reasons. You'll have dinner on the table in just half an hour. The whole dish comes together in a single wok, making cleanup a breeze. And the flavor combo of crisp vegetables and tangy homemade sauce is unbeatable. You'll soon add this to your regular dinner lineup.

Must-Have Components

  • Rice Noodles: 8 ounces for the base. Standard noodles will do in a pinch.
  • Oil: 3 spoons of whatever you've got handy.
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, finely diced.
  • Protein: 8 ounces of chicken, shrimp, or tofu chunks.
  • Eggs: 2 for added richness.
  • Bean Sprouts: 1 cup fresh ones. Thin-sliced cabbage works too.
  • Red Pepper: 1 sliced into strips.
  • Green Onions: 3 chopped into bits.
  • Peanuts: 1/2 cup smashed up.
  • Limes: 2 juicy ones.
  • Cilantro: 1/2 cup fresh leaves, roughly chopped.
  • Fish Sauce: 3 spoons for the flavor base.
  • Soy Sauce: 1 spoon, reduced sodium variety.
  • Brown Sugar: 5 spoons for sweetness.
  • Rice Vinegar: 2 spoons for tang.
  • Hot Sauce: 1 spoon, or add more for extra kick.
  • Peanut Butter: 2 spoons if desired (optional add-in).

Simple Preparation Instructions

Prepare Noodles:
Boil the rice noodles according to package directions. Cool them under tap water and set them aside.
Create Flavor Base:
Combine fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, hot sauce, and optional peanut butter in a bowl.
Sauté Ingredients:
Warm oil in a large skillet. Fry garlic, pepper strips, and your chosen protein until thoroughly cooked.
Cook Eggs:
Move everything to one half of the pan. Pour a bit more oil and crack eggs into the clear space.
Combine Everything:
Toss in your prepared noodles, sauce mixture, sprouts, and crushed nuts. Stir until everything's warm.
Garnish Dish:
Sprinkle with sliced green onions, extra peanuts, cilantro, and squeeze lime juice on top.
Storage Info:
Will stay good refrigerated for up to 3 days.

The Story Behind Thai Noodles

What makes this dish special? It's beloved Thai roadside fare that's won hearts worldwide. The magical balance of tangy, sweet, salty, and fiery elements creates something truly unique. The way the noodles, protein, and tangy sauce come together creates pure comfort with exotic flair that satisfies every time.

Crafting Delicious Sauce

Great Thai noodles depend on getting the sauce just right. This straightforward version uses everyday items from your local grocery store. Adding a dollop of peanut butter gives it extra creaminess and nutty depth. Whether you stick with traditional ingredients or make substitutions, your homemade sauce will transform ordinary noodles into something spectacular.

Choosing Your Protein

You can switch up your Thai noodle dish with various proteins. Give shrimp a try or go with chicken chunks for equally tasty results. Vegetarians can swap in firm tofu instead. Whatever you choose will work beautifully with the tangy sauce mixture.

Getting Perfect Noodles

The secret to amazing Thai noodles lies in proper noodle prep. Cook them just until al dente, never soggy. A quick cold water rinse stops the cooking process. This technique keeps your rice noodles pleasantly chewy so they'll absorb all that delicious sauce without turning to mush.

A bowl of shrimp and chicken stir-fried noodles garnished with peanuts, cilantro, and red peppers. Pin it
A bowl of shrimp and chicken stir-fried noodles garnished with peanuts, cilantro, and red peppers. | cookingkitchn.com

Personalizing Your Creation

Feel free to tweak this Thai noodle dish however you want. Leave out the eggs for a different texture, or pour in extra soy sauce. Throw in more crushed nuts or amp up the heat level. Don't be afraid to adjust things each time you cook it—that's what makes cooking at home so rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ No sour paste?

Try rice vinegar instead. Fresh lime helps a lot. Combine them if needed. Won't be identical but pretty close. Makes a tasty sauce anyway.

→ Want it plant only?

Leave out eggs and animal stuff. Throw in tofu. Add extra soy sauce. Pack in more vegetables. Flavor stays authentic.

→ Noodles too soft?

Cut soaking time shorter. Give them a quick cold wash. Cook them just a little. Stir constantly. They'll keep cooking in the hot sauce.

→ What goes on top?

Extra peanut crumbles. Some leafy herbs. Juicy lime chunks. Fresh bean sprouts. A dash of hot sauce works too.

→ Need nut butter?

You can leave it out. The sauce tastes good without it. Just mix everything well. Smashed nuts are fine. Toasted seeds work too.

→ Getting too dry?

Keep some noodle water. Add extra sauce. Lower the heat. Stir more often. Problems solved quickly.

→ Taking it places?

Store components apart. Combine when serving. Carry fresh toppings. Bring sauce on side. Warm up quickly before eating.

→ Need it faster?

Grab premade sauce. Cook meat quickly. Prep veggies ahead. Single pan works great. Still tastes homemade.

→ Making big batch?

Cook in smaller portions. Don't overfill your pan. Prep everything first. Watch how many noodles you use. Sauce doubles easily.

→ Want more kick?

Drop in some chili sauce. Add extra pepper. Throw in spicy peppers. More garlic works well. Start with small amounts.

→ Sauce not right?

Pour in more fish sauce. Add a touch more sugar. Try extra lime juice. Taste as you go. Finding balance matters most.

→ Noodles sticking?

Grease your pan well. Stir continuously. Give them room to move. Pour sauce in quickly. Keep tossing while cooking.

Conclusion

Enjoyed this? Give chilled peanut noodles a try. Or whip up some chicken peanut skewers. They've both got similar Thai flavors.

Easy Thai Noodle Stir-fry

Fast Thai flavor explosion bowl.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Sophia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Thai

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 8 ounces wide rice noodles.
02 3 tablespoons cooking oil.
03 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
04 8 ounces raw shrimp, chicken, or extra-firm tofu, diced small.
05 2 eggs.
06 1 cup bean sprouts, fresh.
07 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips.
08 3 green onions, sliced.
09 1/2 cup roasted peanuts.
10 2 limes.
11 1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped.
12 3 tablespoons fish sauce.
13 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce.
14 5 tablespoons brown sugar, light.
15 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or tamarind paste.
16 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce, add more if you want it spicier.
17 2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter (optional).

Instructions

Step 01

Boil the rice noodles following package directions until barely soft. Cool them under cold water and put aside.

Step 02

Combine fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar or tamarind paste, Sriracha, and peanut butter (if using) in a small bowl to make your Pad Thai sauce.

Step 03

Warm up 1½ tablespoons oil in a big wok or pan over medium-high heat. Throw in chopped garlic, sliced bell pepper, and your protein choice, stirring often. Cook shrimp about 1-2 minutes each side until they turn pink, or cook chicken thoroughly for 3-4 minutes, turning just once.

Step 04

Move the protein and veggies to one side of your pan. Add a splash more oil and crack in the eggs, gently breaking them up with your spatula as they cook.

Step 05

Mix in the drained noodles, your sauce mixture, bean sprouts, and peanuts. Toss everything together until it's all warm and mixed well.

Step 06

Top with sliced green onions, extra peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Eat right away for the tastiest results.

Step 07

Keep any extra food in your fridge and eat it within 2-3 days.

Notes

  1. Cut up your protein and veggies a day before to save time.
  2. Try using tamarind paste instead of rice vinegar for a more genuine flavor.
  3. Skip the eggs and use tofu with extra soy sauce instead of fish sauce for a plant-based option.
  4. Make sure you're using gluten-free soy sauce if you need to avoid gluten.

Tools You'll Need

  • Heat-resistant skillet.
  • Wok.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Peanuts.
  • Soy.
  • Shellfish (if using shrimp).
  • Eggs (if adding).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 627
  • Total Fat: 27 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 77 g
  • Protein: 22 g