Description
Pad Thai Tacos combine the classic flavors of traditional Thai street food with the casual, handheld appeal of tacos. Featuring rice noodles, tofu, and optional shrimp, all tossed in a tangy, sweet, and savory Pad Thai sauce, these tacos are a vibrant fusion dish perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 6 oz rice noodles
Pad Thai Filling
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup firm tofu, diced
- 6 large shrimp, peeled and deveined (optional)
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 green onions, sliced
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Toppings
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Cook noodles: Cook rice noodles according to package instructions until just tender, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare sauce: In a small bowl, mix fish sauce, tamarind paste, palm sugar, and soy sauce to create the Pad Thai sauce.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and shallot, sautéing until fragrant.
- Cook shrimp (optional): If using shrimp, add them now and stir-fry until pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Cook tofu: Add diced tofu to the skillet and fry until golden on all sides.
- Scramble eggs: Push tofu to the side, pour in beaten eggs and scramble until just cooked.
- Combine noodles and sauce: Add drained noodles and pour Pad Thai sauce over them, tossing everything together to coat evenly.
- Return shrimp: Return shrimp to the pan and toss again to combine.
- Add fresh ingredients: Remove from heat and fold in bean sprouts and green onions.
- Warm tortillas: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
- Assemble tacos: Spoon the Pad Thai mixture into each tortilla, sprinkle generously with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro, and squeeze lime wedges over the top.
- Add heat and serve: Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired for heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit shrimp and substitute soy sauce or tamari for fish sauce.
- Swap tofu with chicken or use extra vegetables like bell peppers and snap peas for a vegan option.
- Enhance freshness by adding shredded carrots or cucumber slaw as a topping.
- Use small, soft tortillas to keep the taco fold neat and hold the saucy Pad Thai filling securely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai-American Fusion
