Pad Pak Thai (Stir Fry Vegetables)

Indulge in the delightful flavors of Pad Pak Thai, a vibrant Thai stir-fried vegetable dish. It's packed with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a savory stir fry sauce. Pad Pak Thai offers a harmonious balance of flavors that will leave your taste buds craving for more. This easy meal is nutrient-rich, customizable, and quick to prepare. 

When I first heard of Pad Pak Thai, my mind instantly went to Pad Thai which is a staple Thai food that most people have heard of. It's commonly served in many Thai restaurants. However, Pad Pak Thai is a bit different. It's essentially stir fried vegetables. There are no noodles, it's packed with vegetables, and it's not typically served with meat. We have made this as the main dish served with a side of rice, and as a side dish with Thai Chicken Curry without Coconut Milk.

We have also added chicken and shrimp to make it feel like a complete meal. With all that being said it's a great way to use up the vegetables you have on hand to feed the whole family. Keep in mind this recipe is a starter recipe, which means you can feel free to use the vegetables you have on hand and the best part is that you can get creative and have fun with this recipe!  

Jump to:

• Reasons You'll Love Pad Pak Thai 
• What Is Pad Pak Thai? 
• What Is The Difference Between Pad Thai and Pad Pak Thai? 
• Ingredients 
• What Other Vegetables Can Be Used? 
• How to Make Pad Pak Thai 
• Is Pad Pak Gluten Free? 
• Is This Recipe Vegan? 
• Variations 
• Storing 
• More Must Try Recipes
• Pad Pak Thai (Stir Fry Vegetables)

Reasons You'll Love Pad Pak Thai 

Flavorful and Balanced: Pad Pak Thai is known for its harmonious blend of flavors. The combination of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a savory sauce creates a delicious and well-balanced taste profile. It offers a mix of sweetness, tanginess, and umami, making it a satisfying and flavorful dish.

Nutrient-Rich: Pad Pak Thai is packed with an assortment of colorful vegetables, such as broccoli, red peppers, mushrooms, and more. These vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, contributing to a nutritious meal that supports overall health and well-being.

Customizable and Versatile: Pad Pak Thai is a versatile dish that allows for customization based on personal preferences and dietary needs. You can add or substitute various vegetables to suit your taste or incorporate proteins like tofu, chicken, shrimp, or beef for additional protein.

Quick and Easy to Prepare: Pad Pak Thai is a relatively quick and straightforward dish to prepare, making it suitable for those busy weeknights. 

Light and Refreshing: Pad Pak Thai is a light and refreshing dish that doesn't leave you feeling heavy or overly full. It's a great option for those seeking a lighter meal or looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet without sacrificing flavor. You can serve it as a vegetarian dinner or enjoy as a side to your favorite meal. 

What Is Pad Pak Thai? 

Pad Pak Thai, also known as Thai Stir-Fried Vegetables, is a popular Thai dish that features an assortment of fresh vegetables stir-fried with aromatic herbs and a flavorful sauce. While it shares a similar name with the famous Pad Thai noodle dish, Pad Pak Thai is a vegetable-focused variation that does not include noodles or protein.

The dish typically includes a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, and bean sprouts. Vegetables are stir-fried in a hot wok or skillet with garlic and vegetables. A savory sauce with soy sauce and oyster sauce is added to coat the vegetables and provide a rich and savory taste.

Pad Pak Thai known for its vibrant colors, crisp textures, and a balanced blend of flavors that can be slightly sweet, tangy, and savory. Often served as a side dish or a vegetarian/vegan main course accompanied by steamed rice. The dish is highly versatile, allowing for customization with the choice of vegetables and the option to add proteins like tofu, chicken, shrimp, or beef for those who prefer a more substantial meal.

What Is The Difference Between Pad Thai and Pad Pak Thai? 

The main difference between Pad Thai and Pad Pak Thai is the ingredients used. Pad Thai is a classic Thai dish that features stir-fried rice noodles as the main component. It typically includes a combination of proteins like shrimp, chicken, or tofu, mixed with scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, chives, and sometimes crushed peanuts. Then noodles are seasoned with a tangy and slightly sweet sauce made from tamarind paste, fish sauce, palm sugar, and lime juice.

On the other hand, Pad Pak Thai is a vegetable-centric dish that focuses on stir-fried vegetables. It usually consists of an array of fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, and bean sprouts. The vegetables are stir-fried with aromatic herbs and a savory sauce, often omitting the noodles and proteins commonly found in Pad Thai. It's simple, vegetarian, and very healthy. 

Ingredients 

Stir Fry Vegetables 

2 tablespoons sesame oil - infuses the vegetables with delicious flavor, a light flavored cooking oil such as canola, olive oil, or vegetable oil can be substituted 

1 tablespoon minced garlic - fresh garlic is best for this recipe

Large broccoli head chopped - I look for a large head of fresh broccoli, frozen broccoli can be substituted 

1 large carrot sliced - I prefer to use the larger part of the carrot for this recipe, smaller slices toward the skinny end may cook too quickly. Can be added or saved for another recipe. 

1 can baby corn drained - This is a personal favorite of mine, any time I think of stir fry I want to add baby corn. 

1 cup snow peas - A staple in thai vegetable stir fry, sugar snap peas, or green bean can be substituted 

Red bell peppers - Any bell pepper would be delicious in the stir fry, it also adds a pop of color amongst all the other ingredients 

Mushrooms - white button, baby bella, shiitake all work well

Green onions - you can add these to the stir fry chopped into large pieces or slice into thin slices and serve as a garnish over top 

Sauce Ingredients 

1 tablespoon oyster sauce - a rich sauce made from oyster extract

1 tablespoon soy sauce - a very popular sauce used in cooking that brings in delicious umami flavor 

1 tablespoon honey - to balance the salty flavors of the other two sauces 

2 tablespoons vegetable broth - to thin out the broth and make the sauce less potent 

2 teaspoons corn starch - to thicken the sauce and bind it to the veggies 

What Other Vegetables Can Be Used? 

Pad Pak Thai offers versatility when it comes to vegetable choices. While there are traditional vegetables used in the dish, you can also experiment with other vegetables based on your preferences. Here are some additional ideas you should try:

• Zucchini: Sliced or julienned zucchini can be a great addition, adding a mild and slightly crisp texture.
• Water chestnut: These provide a delightful crunch and a subtle nutty flavor.
• Bamboo shoots: Bamboo shoots add an earthy and slightly tangy taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Spinach or kale: Leafy greens like spinach or kale can be added towards the end of cooking for added nutrients and vibrant color.
• Carrot ribbons: Use a vegetable peeler to create thin ribbons of carrot, which add a visually appealing element to the dish.
• Green beans: Trimmed and sliced green beans contribute a crisp and vibrant touch.

Remember to adjust the cooking time for the vegetables based on their texture and thickness. When adding other vegetables be sure to cut them to equal sized pieces to avoid under and overcooking them. 

Add the vegetables that require longer cooking earlier in the process and more delicate vegetables towards the end to retain their freshness and crunch. Feel free to mix and match these thai vegetables or incorporate other favorites you enjoy. The key is to maintain a variety of textures, colors, and flavors to create a visually appealing and flavorful Pad Pak Thai dish.

How to Make Pad Pak Thai 

Step 1. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan.

Step 2. Add minced garlic to the hot oil. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 3. Add the broccoli and carrots to the wok. Stir-fry for a few minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 4. Next, add the remaining vegetables, such as the baby corn, snow peas, red bell pepper, and mushrooms. Continue stir-frying for another few minutes until all the vegetables are tender-crisp.

Step 5. In a small bowl, mix together all the sauce ingredients. 

Step 6. Pour the sauce mixture over the vegetables in the wok. Toss everything together, ensuring the vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. Cook for another minute or two to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Step 7. Remove the wok from the heat and transfer the Pad Pak Thai to a serving dish. Garnish with green onion and serve immediately.

Is Pad Pak Gluten Free? 

This recipe is not gluten free as written because of the pad pak sauce. However, with a few substitutions it can be made gluten free. Soy sauce is not gluten free however, there are gluten-free versions of soy sauce or tamari can be substituted. You shouldn't have a problem finding either at your local grocery store. Be sure to check the oyster sauce before purchasing. Some oyster sauces may contain gluten, so it's important to read the ingredient labels carefully or opt for a gluten-free oyster sauce alternative.

Is This Recipe Vegan? 

Pad Pak Thai is not vegan because of the use of oyster sauce. However, this recipe can be made vegan by substituting oyster sauce for more soy sauce. 

Variations 

While Pad Pak Thai traditionally consists of thai stir fried vegetables with savory sauces, there are several variations and adaptations of the dish that you can explore. Here are a few popular Pad Pak Thai variations:

Protein Additions: To make the dish more substantial, you can incorporate protein sources such as tofu, chicken, shrimp, beef, or sliced pork. This is commonly referred to pad pak chicken or shrimp, etc. Simply stir-fry the protein along with the vegetables, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. 

Noodle Variation: If you'd like to include noodles in your Pad Pak Thai, you can use rice noodles, glass noodles (also known as cellophane noodles or mung bean noodles), or even spiralized vegetable noodles like zucchini or sweet potato noodles. Cook the noodles separately according to the package instructions, and then toss them with the stir-fried vegetables and sauces.

Cashew Pad Pak Thai: For a delightful twist, you can add roasted cashews to your Pad Pak Thai. The cashews provide a satisfying crunch and add a nutty flavor to the dish. Simply sprinkle a handful of roasted cashews over the thai stir fry vegetables before serving.

Spicy Variation: If you enjoy spicy food, you can incorporate more heat into your Pad Pak Thai by adding additional fresh chili peppers, chili flakes, chili sauce, or sriracha. Adjust the amount of chili according to your preference for spiciness.

Thai Basil Pad Pak Thai: Thai basil leaves can be a flavorful addition to the dish. Toss in a handful of fresh Thai basil leaves during the stir-frying process to infuse the dish with their distinct aroma and taste.

Storing 

The Pad Pak Thai can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When you're ready to store be sure to allow the Pad Pak Thai to cool down to room temperature. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator promptly, ideally within 2 hours of cooking.

When you're ready to enjoy the leftover Pad Pak Thai, reheat it in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil or water to prevent sticking and stir-fry until heated through. If the dish seems dry, you can add a little more sauce or a splash of water to moisten it. You can also reheat in the microwave by placing the Pad Pak Thai in a microwave safe dish with a damp paper towel over top. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute and stir. Repeat until completely heated through. 

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