This Thai Pad Pak recipe is easy and delicious! The perfect healthy dinner when you are pinched for time! This will be one the whole family will enjoy!
I don't know about you, but I love a good stir fry dish! I feel like they are so versatile and the perfect easy dinner! When I am feeling pinched for time, I always throw some vegetables in a pan and get them nice and crispy and serve them over a big bowl of white rice. This recipe is perfect for those same nights. Pad Pak simply means "stir fried vegetables" and it is delicious. You won't want to miss out!
For some other Asian Inspired dinners, check out this Red Curry Pasta, this Pad Woon Sen, this Gluten-Free Pad Thai or this Instant Pot Vegan Pananag Curry!
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What Is Pad Pak
Pad Pak is the Thai version of stir fry that is largely influenced by the Chinese version. Traditionally, this dish consists of veggies and some sort of protein and is normally served over rice.
To keep this recipe vegan, we are just using vegetables! It doesn't make it any less exciting and is still packed with delicious flavor!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Great for Meal Prep- This recipe is great for meal prep! Just make this recipe and then divide it out into individual glass containers and then enjoy it throughout the week!
- Super Customizable- This recipe is super customizable, you can add extra protein, and extra veggies and use pretty much whatever you want!
- Diet Friendly-This recipe is also vegan, plant-based, full of whole foods, and has the option of being gluten-free!
- Quick and Easy-This recipe will come together in just 30 minutes from start to finish and is perfect for those nights when you need quick meals!
Ingredient Notes
- Mixed Vegetables- To make this recipe, you will need a variety of mixed vegetables. I like to use fresh vegetables and often use mushrooms, broccoli, peas, carrots, and peppers. However, feel free to use whatever you have on hand or even use a frozen stir-fry mix.
- Gochujang- To give the sauce a little bit of heat and flavor, I added some gochujang. Gochujang is a savory, sweet, and spicy fermented condiment popular in Korean cooking.
- Vegan Fish Sauce-The vegan fish sauce in this recipe really gives amazing umami flavor to the dish. It is perfect for when you need something to boost the flavor. I get mine from Sprouts but you can also make your own or purchase some on Amazon.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.
Instructions
- Chop the peppers, carrots and onion into equal sized pieces.
- Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped veggies, broccoli, snow peas, and onion to the skillet.
- Sauté on medium for 10 minutes or until veggies have softened.
- Next, add in sauce ingredients turning the heat to low
- Simmer for and additional 5 to 7 minutes or until sauce has slightly thickened.
- Finally, remove from heat and serve!
Hint: Make sure you slice all the vegetables the same size so they cook evenly.
Substitutions and Variations
- Frozen Vegetables - Swap the fresh veggies for frozen vegetables if you are in a pinch. Just remember that frozen vegetables hold extra water so make sure to drain the water before adding the sauce to avoid watering down the vegetables.
- Vegan Fish Sauce - If you can't find the vegan fish sauce, feel free to leave it out and substitute it with extra soy sauce.
- Protein - Sometimes I like to toss some tofu in to give this dinner a fuller feeling.
Check out these Air Fryer Spring Rolls for a fun idea to serve on the side!
FAQ's
Yes, pad pak is very healthy! It is full of delicious vegetables and perfect if you are trying to add a few more veggies to your lifestyle!
There are no "best" vegetables when it comes to stir fry but I love to use vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, peas and onions.
I like to make an easy stir fry sauce, however any bottled stir fry sauce will work as well!
This Pad Pak has a very low spice profile. It does have a little heat from the gochujang but not much. However, if you are sensitive to heat, you can leave it out.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. See below for the equipment you will need to make this recipe.
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Spatula
- Chef Knife
- Cutting Board
- Glass Mixing Bowl
Storage
Store the leftover Pad Pak in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. This recipe makes the perfect meal prep! I like to make a big batch and portion them out in containers to eat during the week!
This dish is also a great make-ahead frozen dinner! Put your pad pak into an airtight, freezer-safe container (with the sauce) and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator or reheat from frozen.
Top tips
- Cut vegetables into uniform sizes so that they are cooked evenly. If you have an uneven slice on the vegetables then they will cook at different times.
- It sounds simple, but make sure to use a large enough pan to make your Pad Pak Thai. You don't want your vegetables to be jumping out of the pan as you are trying to cook them!
- If you’re feeding a larger group or family, increase the number of servings on the printable recipe and it will automatically adjust the ingredient amounts!
Other Recipes You Will Love!
- Asian Style Chopped Salad
- 30 Minute Crunchy Thai Quinoa Salad
- Vegan Sweet and Sour Tofu
- Fresh Vegetarian Spring Roll Bowl
- Easy Vegan Kung Pao Tofu
- Gluten-Free Korean Inspired Curry Rice
Thai Pad Pak (Vegetable Stir Fry)
Ingredients
- 2 carrots
- 1 large broccoli head
- 1 cup snow peas
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow onion
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons vegan fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons gochujang chili paste
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons coconut sugar
Instructions
- Chop the peppers, carrots and onion into equal sized pieces.
- Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped veggies, broccoli, snow peas, and onion to the skillet.
- Sauté on medium for 10 minutes or until veggies have softened.
- Next, add in sauce ingredients turning the heat to low
- Simmer for and additional 5 to 7 minutes or until sauce has slightly thickened.
- Finally, remove from heat and serve!
Notes
- Cut vegetables into uniform sizes so that they are cooked evenly. If you have an uneven slice on the vegetables then they will cook at different times.
- It sounds simple, but make sure to use a large enough pan to make your Pad Pak
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Audrey says
I love the veggies in this!
Kyleigh says
Such a great veggie option for weeknight dinner!
Debra says
Awesome recipe with easy to follow directions and also super flavorful.
Jerika says
I love this Thai Pad Pak recipe full of broccoli and mushroom. Yum!:)
Jeri says
This stir fry is perfect for busy weeknights!
Amy says
Love this recipe! Great flavor. ❤️
Colleen says
A very healthy and flavorful stir-fry!
Nancy says
What a perfect this dish was for the lazy weekend I wanted to have. It was so flavorful and so filling too.
Agnieszka says
This pad tak is amazing! So flavorful and healthy at the same time!
Leslie says
This THAI PAD PAK recipe is excellent!