Southeast Asia Thailand

Vegan Tofu Pad Thai

Name: Vegan Tofu Pad Thai
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Southeast Asia
Ingredients: 200 g / 7 oz wide flat rice noodles; 250 g / 8.8 oz extra firm tofu; 1 Tbsp / 15 ml vegetable oil; ½ tsp / 2.5 ml Kala Namak; 1 Tbsp / 15 ml toasted sesame oil; 1 small red onion; 3 cloves garlic; 1 large red chilli; 1 inch / 2.5 cm fresh ginger; 1 large carrot; 1 bell pepper; 100 g / 3.5 oz green beans; 100 g / 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes; 2 Tbsp / 30 ml fresh coriander leaves; 2 Tbsp / 30 ml peanuts; 6 spring onions; Lime wedges; 3 Tbsp / 45 ml maple syrup; 3 Tbsp / 45 ml tamari; 2 Tbsp / 30 ml vegan fish sauce; 2 tsp / 10 ml natural peanut butter; 1 tsp / 5 ml rice wine vinegar

Pad Thai Jay, Thai Stir-Fried Noodles, Vegan Pad Thai

Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Make Time: 15 minutes
Calories: 420 / serving
Diet: Vegan

The essentials, at a glance

Southeast Asia Dinner Dairy-FreePlant-Based

This is a plant-based take on the classic Thai street food staple. It balances sweet, sour, and salty flavours with a hearty tofu base and fresh vegetables. The dish is finished with a zesty lime squeeze and crunchy peanuts for a complete texture profile.

ProteinProtein 18.0g

FatFat 14.0g

CarbsCarbs 58.0g

Above values do not change with any serving size changes you make below

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients for the sauce together in a small bowl and set aside.

Place a wok or large frying pan over a medium high heat.

Season the tofu with the sesame oil and black salt, then add it to the pan.

Stir fry the tofu for a few minutes or until it begins to turn lightly golden.

Add the vegetable oil to the pan and let it heat up.

Add the garlic, ginger and chillies and fry for a minute until fragrant.

Add the prepared red onion, pepper, carrot and green beans and continue to stir fry.

Drain the noodles and add them to the pan.

Cover with a lid for a minute or so to allow the noodles to soften and steam.

Remove the lid and add the tomatoes, spring onions and the sauce.

Leave to bubble for a couple of minutes to ensure the noodles are cooked.

Serve immediately, garnished with the coriander, peanuts and lime wedges.

Other considerations for this recipe

Storage

Keep any leftover pad thai in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly in a hot wok or microwave with a splash of water to loosen the noodles.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended, as rice noodles and fresh vegetables tend to lose their texture and become soft once thawed.

Peanut Allergy Substitution

Swap the peanut butter for almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini, and replace the peanut garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

Nutritional Benefits

Tofu provides a complete plant-based protein source.

Fresh ginger and garlic offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The inclusion of carrots and bell peppers increases the intake of beta-carotene and vitamin C.

Peanuts provide heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Nutritional information is provided as a general guide only. Values may vary and should not replace professional medical or dietary advice.

Recipe Credit

veganfoodandliving.comVegan Tofu Pad ThaiBring vibrant street food flavours to your table with this vegan pad thai recipe. Taking less than 30 minutes to cook, it's faster than a Friday night food delivery!

Zesty Vegan Tofu Pad Thai

Andrew T. 1 Nov 2026

From the Blog

All Contributions

Vegan Tofu Pad Thai · Andrew T.

Wide flat rice noodles form the heart of this vibrant dish, absorbing a rich blend of tamari and maple syrup. By crumbling the extra firm tofu and searing it with Kala Namak, you get a savoury depth that mimics traditional flavours perfectly. I love how the crunch of fresh carrots and green beans contrasts with the softness of the steamed noodles.

Mastering the Wok

The secret lies in the high heat of the wok, which quickly caramelises the vegetables while keeping them crisp. Adding the cherry tomatoes and spring onions at the very end ensures they retain their bright colour and fresh pop. A generous squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts bring everything together for a truly tantalising finish that is easy for anyone to whip up at home.