By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 15, 2023

A simple recipe for Gluten-Free Pad Thai that uses minimal ingredients, is easy to make, and is packed with flavor. If you like this Gluten-Free Pad Thai recipe, you should definitely check out my Chicken Subgum Chow Mein, Gluten Free Orange Chicken, and Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup! 

Gluten-Free Pad Thai Recipe

This gluten-free pad thai recipe is better than any takeout gluten-free pad thai. This recipe uses a handful of ingredients and it's simple to make.

You can use my favorite gluten-free pad thai noodles, or yours.

Pad thai is typically made with wide, flat rice noodles. We personally like to use the wide flat noodles or the angle hair rice noodles in pad thai.

There's something about the texture of angel hair rice noodles that really adds to the pad thai.

Ingredients in Gluten-Free Pad Thai

• 8 ounces (roughly 200 grams) of dried rice noodles
• 1 tablespoon gluten-free fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons gluten-free rice vinegar 
• Sugar or sriracha for extra flavor (optional)
• 2 to 3 cups of bean sprouts (optional)
• 1 cup of bell pepper (optional)
• 3 to 4 cloves of garlic (optional)
• 1 cup of shredded carrots (optional)

While this gluten-free pad thai recipe is made with traditional ingredients, we've added a few optional ingredients for more flavor.

How to make gluten-free pad Thai

1. Soak the noodles in hot water for 5 minutes, until they are soft (or as per the instruction on the packet). Strain the noodles and set aside.
2. In a small mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients for the Pad Thai sauce; set aside.
3. Heat oil in the pan. Add garlic and sauté on high heat for 30 seconds. Reduce the heat to medium and add the bell pepper and carrot juliennes and fry for a minute (optional).
4. Add the noodles.
5. Add the sauce mixture and toss to combine.
6. Turn off the heat and add the sprouts (optional) and peanuts and mix everything to combine. Finish it off with lime juice. Garnish with additional peanuts, cilantro, or additional lime juice if desired.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.

For Gluten-Free Chicken Pad Thai

To make gluten-free chicken Pad Thai, thinly slice one large chicken breast and sauté until no pink remains, then add the garlic and continue the recipe as normal. You can also use ½ pound of ground chicken and cook it with garlic.

Follow the remaining instructions.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS Gluten-Free Pad Thai RECIPE:

• It's healthy 
• It's incredibly easy to make
• You can store it in the fridge
• You can add any veggies or protein you like!

Tips and Tricks

• Avoid cooking more than 12 ounces of noodles at once because it's hard to turn the noodles and get them to cook evenly
• When making more than 8 ounces of noodles for your gluten-free pad Thai, make sure to double the amount of the pad Thai sauce as well
• Always check the labels of the ingredients from your gluten-free pad Thai recipe to make sure they are really gluten-free

GF Pad Thai Substitutions and Variations

• Chicken breast: If you are looking to add some protein to your pad thai, chicken breasts might be the best option
• Tofu: And if you're not a fan of chicken breasts or you're just looking for a vegan version of your gluten-free pad Thai, you can use tofu
• Shrimp: You can just use frozen for a super quick and easy addition that really elevates the dish
• Vegetables: As I suggested in the ingredients list, you can add carrots, bell pepper but also mushrooms, green onion, and any other veggies you like
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil is generally healthier than other oils used to make pad Thai. It also adds additional flavor to this gluten-free pad Thai recipe
• Chopped peanuts and fresh lime: You can also add these toppings or even red pepper flakes for an extra kick!

How to Store Gluten-Free Pad Thai

You can store your gf pad thai in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

Is All Pad Thai gluten-free?

No, typically Pad Thai is made with soy sauce which isn't gluten-free. If you make pad thai with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and use other gluten-free ingredients, only then will it be gluten-free for sure.

Make sure to use rice noodles as well, as they are gluten-free. As always, make sure to check labels of the ingredients you are purchasing.

Is this pad thai spicy?

This pad thai isn't spicy but you can make it spicy by adding chili peppers, red pepper flakes, or Siracha hot sauce.

Does Pad Thai sauce have gluten?

Some pad Thai sauces may contain gluten in the fish sauce, oyster sauce, or soy sauce. To make gluten-free pad thai sauce, make sure to use gluten-free versions of these sauces. 

What Thai noodle dishes are gluten-free?

Any Thai noodle dish that uses rice noodles means it is typically gluten-free. For example, you can make gluten free shrimp pad Thai or gluten free saucy Thai noodles. 

Are Pad Thai noodles gluten-free?

Yes, pad thai noodles are gluten free if you use rice noodles. Pad Thai is typically made with rice noodles. As always, make sure to check the labels for each ingredient.

Is fish sauce gluten-free?

Yes, fish sauce is naturally gluten-free. That said, some brands add wheat as a filler, so please make sure to check labels before purchasing.

Can I use tofu instead of chicken in this pad Thai?

Yes! You can use tofu or even shrimp in this gluten-free pad thai recipe.

Is soy sauce gluten-free?

Most soy sauce brands are not gluten-free. However, tamari soy sauce is gluten-free. You can also purchase gluten-free soy sauce, which is typically made from rice, not wheat.

Additionally, coconut aminos are a gluten-free soy sauce alternative with a similar taste, but a little sweeter.

Gluten-Free Pad Thai Noodles

We like to use rice noodles when we make gluten-free Pad Thai. Thai Kitchen makes a stir fry noodle that is a flat, wide rice noodle that works well in Gluten-Free Pad Thai.

For the angel hair noodles, we like to use A Taste of Thai rice angel hair noodles.

You can use your favorite rice noodle in this pad thai recipe.

If you love pad thai you're going to want to make my Sub Gum next. Readers also love my Gluten Free Orange Chicken.

Did you make this gluten-free Pad Thai recipe? Please leave me a comment below letting me know what you thought.

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Yield: 2 servings

Gluten-Free Pad Thai Recipe

Print

A simple recipe for gluten free Pad Thai that is full of flavor and is simple to make.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

FOR THE PAD THAI

• 9 ounces rice noodles
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
• ½ cup carrots, sliced (optional)
• 1 cup fresh green bean sprouts
• ½ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1 lime, cut in quarters
• ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

FOR THE PAD THAI SAUCE

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 4 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon gluten free soy sauce or tamari sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional to add a kick)

Instructions

1. Soak the noodles in hot water for 5 minutes, until they are soft (or as per the instruction on the packet). Strain the noodles; set aside.
2. In a small mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients for the Pad Thai sauce; set aside.
3. Heat oil in the pan. Add garlic and sauté on high heat for 30 seconds. Reduce the heat to medium and add the bell pepper and carrot and fry for a minute (optional).
4. Add the noodles.
5. Add the sauce mixture and toss to combine.
6. Turn off the heat and add the sprouts (optional), peanuts, and cilantro, mix everything to combine. Finish it off with a squeeze of lime juice.
7. Serve hot with garnish of choice.

Notes

• The bell pepper and carrots are optional.
• Leave out the peanuts to make this nut free.
• The garnishes are optional. Feel free to add your own garnish.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.

• 
  Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok with Wooden and Steel Helper Handle (14 Inch, Round Bottom) / 731W88
• 
  Annie Chun's Pad Thai Rice Noodles, Non GMO, Vegan, Gluten Free, 8 Oz (Pack of 6)
• 
  Thai Kitchen Gluten Free Stir Fry Rice Noodles, 14 oz (Pack of 6)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 525Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 900mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 9gSugar: 30gProtein: 18g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.