Tofu Pad Thai is perfect for dinner. Tofu mixed with noodles, fresh herbs, chilli, nuts and egg make this vegetarian Pad Thai, better than take-out!
Chicken Noodle Stir Fry, Yellow Curry Noodles, Vegan Brown Rice Noodles, Chicken Noodle Bowl and Pad Thai are all delicious Asian dinner recipes you can make easily in your own home.
How to Make Vegetarian Pad Thai?
Homemade Vegetarian Pad Thai - you will be cooking this recipe again and again
How good is a Pad Thai dish? Even better if you make it yourself I believe. With fresh ingredients and knowing exactly what has gone into the dish, it is a favourite recipe in my home. I have a version on the blog which uses chicken mince and you can find that recipe right here.
Asian food is my favourite out of all the world's selections and it is great to be able to recreate the flavour combination at home at your own pace.
What ingredients are in Tofu Pad Thai?
One of the reasons that I love this recipe is because it enables me to use fresh herbs and spices. The coriander gives the dish a fresh flavour, the chilli adds a zing to the taste buds and the squeeze of lime juice brings all of the ingredients together.
This vegetarian option is perfect for Meatless Monday or any night of the week really! The tofu is packed with protein so it satisfies the belly and mind at the same time.
With a squeeze of fresh lime juice, coriander and slices chilli, you will think you have been taken to Thailand with this recipe!
The trick with the eggs is to pour them into the pan, let the heat start to get to them and then use a flat utenseil to break them up into smaller pieces. They become like scramble eggs, but in small slices, which get mixed throughout the dish bringing a lovely flavour and texture to the recipe.
This recipe is a super easy dish to prepare. There are a few different elements, however, each step is straight forward and you will be able to pull it together easily!
Asian Inspiration
I can't recall one specific moment in time when I started to eat more Asian style foods. It is overwhelmingly obvious though as it must have happened as many of my recipes have an Asian style theme to them!! If I needed to request a last meal in my life, no doubt there were be Asian flavours and noodles.
Some of my favourite Asian Style dishes on the blog are:
- Pad Thai (recipe is here)
- Tofu Fried Noodle Salad (recipe is here)
- Chicken Noodle Bowl (recipe is here)
The tofu in this dish is lightly fried and ends up with a crispy skin flavored with salt and pepper
The eggs compliments the tofu as the texture of both ingredients are quite different. One is crispy and chewy, the other is soft and melts in your mouth.
About the recipe:
- The recipe is vegetarian
- For a vegan version, you need a vegan style egg product
- Fresh lime juice is best, but from a bottle will also work
- This is a one pot recipe, using a fry pan or the wok
To answer your questions:
- This recipe can be frozen
- The dish will last in a sealed container in the fridge for a few nights
- The tofu needs to be FIRM to start with
- This is a REASONABLE EASY recipe to pull together
Think about how much money you will save by making this dish instead of paying someone else to make it for you! Not to mention the delicious flavours and the pat on your own back!
Let's chat
I actually get some therapy these days from meatless meal ideas. I bet you do too. The tofu in this dish is a high protein food. As are the eggs. You might think that the tofu is bland as it doesn't get smothered in sauce. However, the reality is, when you season it with salt and pepper and then combine it with the other ingredients you will achieve a delicious dish. (Trust me!!)
Seriously guys, you NEED TO GIVE THIS DISH A GO!!
There is some chopping involved in this dish, with both the tofu and the shallots. There is a calm that you will experience in prepping each ingredient and then when you bring it together, la, la,la, it will be show time!
Prep most of the ingredients separately, then bring them together and stir to combine.
Meatless Monday, here we come!
Tofu Pad Thai
Ingredients
Tofu Pad Thai
- 1 450 grams firm tofu
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 bunch shallots
- 125 grams rice noodles
- salt and pepper to season
- ½ bunch coriander fresh, torn or chopped
- 4 eggs free range
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tbsp ginger minced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ cup granulated nuts
- 2 long green chillis
- 1 whole lime cut into wedges
Instructions
Tofu Pad Thai Method
- Cut your tofu into small cube shape pieces.
- Add a little peanut oil to the fry pan, turn on to a medium heat and add tofu. Season with salt and pepper and fry, turning the pieces until all sides of the pieces are a light crispy brown
- Cut shallots into small pieces
- Crack eggs and whisk in a medium size jug so the yolks are pierced and mixed with the yolks
- Add a more oil to the pan and add your egg. Cook, breaking into small slices as you go. Turn off heat when cooked, remove from pan and set aside
- Place noodles in a heat proof bowl. Add boiling water and leave stand for 3- 5 mins. Rinse and chop into 1 inch segments (roughly) when done
- Add a splash of oil to the pan, followed by minced garlic and ginger, add shallots and lightly fry till they are bright green.
- Add the tofu, noodles, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice back to the fry pan. Sprinkle nuts over the dish and stir to combine
- Garnish with freshly torn coriander, chilli and lime wedges
Notes
- You really need to get the firm tofu for this dish (it will say that on the packet). Silken or medium won't work as it will turn to mush)
- You can use Peanut Oil if you don't have sesame oil
- I like the granulated nuts as they are already in little pieces for you
- You can use salted or toasted peanuts if you prefer instead of granulated nuts
Nutrition
Sunny Queensland
It has been hot in Sunny Queensland, almost too hot. I am looking forward to a few cooler days.
If you have favourite Asian dishes I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
A few further suggestions that might take your fancy are:
Tonks is well, back to out conversation about a new friend for him....I am think male cat, black (of course), to be named Rambo, what do you think?
Adrianne x
P.S Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have questions about any of my recipes or even just want to say hi! I am usually on the blog 🙂
I would love to connect on Pinterest and share ideas!
Pad Thai is one of my all time fave dishes though I usually use the ones with shrimp. This version is delicious when I have Vegetarian guests over!
Cheers Mireille, you and me both, got to love a good tasting Pad Thai!! Thanks
Love the Thai option and healthy veggies and tofu in making this amazing dish. Thanks
Cheers Veena, yes got to love healthy dishes, I agree!
This sounds like a great way to enjoy tofu. I have not worked with it much, but this makes me want to experiment. A great meatless dish for sure.
Cheers Gloria, appreciate your input!! Definitely give it a go, you will enjoy it.
I've been looking for more meatless dinner options! I can see this Tofu Pad Thai becoming a favorite for sure!
Awesome Taylor, hope you enjoy it, cheers.
I’m obsessed with pad Thai! Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe with us. Love all the flavors that you have here. I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!
What great feedback, love your positivity, thanks Mary!
Love this. And I love tofu. I usually just chop it up, but I imagine fried it has more flavor. Great idea!
Thanks Mimi! Hope you have been well. I am eating so much more tofu these days.
I love the sound of adding tofu to pad thai, makes it such a filling a tasty dinner!
Thanks Amy! Yes so true!!
Love that option with Thai I have never had tofu or cooked it you have truly inspired me!
Awesome, great to hear Claudia! Thanks for your feedback.
you are reminding me of how much i love pad thai. there are such great flavors in it!! this is a great recipe with the tofu 🙂
Thanks Danielle! I know Pad Thai is the best right!! Cheers
Mmm, I love pad thai! haven't had it in awhile, this will motivate me to make some soon. I agree, making it fresh like this is best.
Thanks David! You and me both. Cheers
This looks amazing! I love the texture that frying the tofu adds to this dish. So good!
Thanks Demeter! Crispy Tofu is the best hey!!!
This is such a delicious & quick recipe to try for weeknights. We love tofu, making your recipe tonight.
For sure Meghna! It is perfect for week nights. Cheers
Yum! I needed something for tonight’s dinner, Thanks for sharing....
No worries Molly, glad you like it!! Cheers
How delicious is this?!
Love the fresh flavours.
Thanks Alex, me too!
Brilliant as always!
Thanks, I am guessing Alison, but I could be wrong. Great feedback, cheers.
I love love love pad thai, so this is a perfect recipe for when I am craving some but am also cooking for vegans! Will have to try it next time the vegans are over!
Yes you till Sylvie, hope they love it!
I know what I'll be having for lunch tomorrow; this looks amazing!
Awesome feedback, thanks Sara!
Made this for my vegetarian friend who was visiting out of town. Got RAVE reviews!! Will make again!
Great to hear, thanks Jen!
This Pad Thai has become an absolute hit in my household - my family love it! It is the ideal vego dish 🙂
Thanks Alex! I think we all need to eat more vegetarian dishes throughout the week!
My husband adores tofu and I know he would devour this dish super fast! I love Asian inspired dishes, they have such wonderful textures and flavours. I'm lucky that I married a Chinese man who can cook as well haha as he makes me amazing dishes sometimes at the weekend!
Lucky you! That sounds great Annie! I bet he makes delicious food for you!!
Looking amazing i gonna prepare this for my children
Awesome Lucya! Hope they love it cheers!
This was outstanding! The flavours are amazing. I prepared exactly as directed with one exception.
I love Pad Thai and this is such a good take on it! Ideal for summer!
Great to hear, thanks Cliona!!