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Instant Pot Pad Thai Recipe

Pad Thai is a popular Thai stir-fried noodle dish known for its vibrant flavors and versatility. It typically features rice noodles, protein such as chicken, tofu, or shrimp, bean sprouts, and a tangy sauce made from ingredients like soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Garnished with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges, Pad Thai offers a harmonious balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. It's a beloved dish in Thai cuisine, often enjoyed as a main course.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving plates or bowls

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces rice noodles
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 pound chicken, tofu, or shrimp (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions
 

  • Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 10-15 minutes until they are soft, then drain and set aside.
  • Turn on the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the vegetable oil. If using chicken, tofu, or shrimp, cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pot and set aside.
  • Add minced garlic to the pot and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Push the garlic to the side and pour the lightly beaten eggs into the pot. Scramble the eggs until cooked through.
  • Add the soaked rice noodles, cooked protein (if using), bean sprouts, red bell pepper, green onions, and chopped peanuts to the pot.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and Sriracha sauce.
  • Pour the sauce over the ingredients in the Instant Pot and stir well to combine.
  • Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set to Manual mode, high pressure, for 2 minutes.
  • Once the cooking is complete, do a quick pressure release.
  • Serve the Pad Thai hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and lime wedges

Notes

5 Tips For Making Delicious Instant Pot Pad Thai:
  • Soak the Rice Noodles Properly: Before cooking, make sure to soak the rice noodles in warm water until they are soft. This ensures they cook evenly and don't clump together in the Instant Pot.
  • Adjust Sauce to Taste: The sauce is a crucial component of Pad Thai, so feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. If you like it spicier, add more Sriracha. If you prefer it sweeter, increase the amount of brown sugar.
  • Quick Pressure Release: After cooking the Pad Thai in the Instant Pot, do a quick pressure release to prevent the noodles from overcooking. This helps maintain the perfect texture of the noodles.
  • Customize with Protein: Pad Thai is versatile, so feel free to customize it with your choice of protein. Chicken, tofu, shrimp, or even beef work well. Make sure to cook the protein thoroughly before adding other ingredients.
  • Garnish for Flavor: Don't forget the garnishes! Chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges add layers of flavor and texture to the dish. Serve them on the side so everyone can customize their Pad Thai according to their preferences.