We researched the most common ingredients in over a dozen popular pad thai recipes and found the top 15 ingredients.
The most common ingredient in pad thai dishes is fish sauce.
Lime, sugar, green onions, bean sprouts, garlic, peanuts, vegetable oil, eggs, cilantro, rice noodles and shallots are also common ingredients in pad thai recipes. Variations include:
- shallots in place of cilantro
- rice in place of rice noodles
Pepper shows up in 35% of pad thai recipes.
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- Ingredient Ratios
- Average Weight of Ingredients
- fish sauce - 85%
- lime - 80%
- lime juice
- sugar - 80%
- brown sugar
- bean sprouts - 75%
- onion - 75%
- green onions
- garlic - 65%
- peanuts - 65%
- peanut butter
- vegetable oil - 55%
- eggs - 50%
- pepper - 35%
- black pepper
- cilantro - 35%
- rice noodles - 35%
- shallots - 30%
- Other Ingredients
- 8 Pad Thai Recipes (ingredients only)
The average pad thai recipe has about 16.1 ingredients, with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 24.
In terms of directions, pad thai recipes have about 4.6 steps on average, ranging from 1 to 10 instructions.
An average pad thai recipe takes about 36 minutes to prepare, ranging from 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes.
Ratios of Common Ingredients in Pad Thai
For 1 wedge lime (67 g), the median and average amounts of other significant ingredients are below. Some ingredients are potential substitutes for others, meaning they almost never exist together in a single pad thai recipe, and are marked below.
| Ingredient | Median | Average | % of recipes with lime | Potential subsitutions |
| bean sprouts | 1 cup (104 g) | 0.78 cup (81 g) | 80% | |
| green onions | 2 (50 g) | 1.8 (46 g) | 80% | |
| eggs | 1 (56 g) | 1.3 (73 g) | 70% | |
| fish sauce | 1.5 tablespoon (27 g) | 1.8 tablespoon (33 g) | 70% | |
| peanuts | 4 tablespoon (37 g) | 3.8 tablespoon (34 g) | 70% | |
| rice noodles | 6 ounce (170 g) | 5.6 ounce (159 g) | 50% |
|
| garlic | 1.9 clove (6 g) | 2.5 clove (7 g) | 50% | |
| vegetable oil | 2 tablespoon (27 g) | 1.4 tablespoon (19 g) | 40% | |
| cilantro | a quarter cup (4 g) | 0.34 cup (6 g) | 40% |
|
| brown sugar | 1.9 tablespoon (18 g) | 1.2 tablespoon (12 g) | 20% |
Ingredients by Average Weight in Pad Thai
We also found the average content of the significant ingredients by weight in pad thai recipes. This would be: 19% rice noodles, 17% bean sprouts, 13% green onions, 13% eggs, 10% lime, 7% fish sauce, 6% vegetable oil, 6% peanuts, 3% sugar, 3% garlic, 2% shallots and 1% lime juice.
Here are the top ingredients, listed in order of popularity.
fish sauce
Fish sauce is the most popular ingredient in pad thai dishes. In fact, over 85% of pad thai recipes contain fish sauce.
Fish sauce is often included in pad thai dishes in amounts of 2 tablespoons, 1 tablespoon or a third of a cup.
In pad thai recipes that contain fish sauce, it is on average, 3% by weight.
For pad thai recipes, fish sauce is frequently used with green onions, bean sprouts, garlic, vegetable oil and sugar.
lime
Another popular ingredient in pad thai is lime. From the recipes we've sampled for pad thai, over 80% have lime.
Variations of lime include:
- lime juice: 31% of recipes
In recipes for pad thai, lime is often used with bean sprouts, peanuts, green onions, fish sauce and eggs. On the other hand, lime is almost never used with white peppercorns.
lime juice
Lime juice is another common ingredient in pad thai dishes. In fact, over 30% of pad thai recipes contain lime juice.
Common quantities for lime juice in pad thai dishes include 2 tablespoons.
In pad thai recipes that contain lime juice, it is on average, 1.4% by weight.
Sugar, green onions, fish sauce, garlic and bean sprouts are commonly used together with lime juice in pad thai dishes. Conversely, lime juice is not often used with chicken breast and pork loin.
sugar
Sugar is another common ingredient in pad thai dishes. In fact, over 80% of pad thai recipes contain sugar.
Variations of sugar include:
- brown sugar: 25% of recipes
Fish sauce, green onions, bean sprouts, garlic and vegetable oil are commonly used together with sugar in pad thai dishes.
Potential substitutions for sugar in pad thai:
- brown sugar
Also, sugar is not often used with chicken breast.
bean sprouts
Bean sprouts is another common ingredient in pad thai dishes. In fact, over 75% of pad thai recipes contain bean sprouts.
Bean sprouts is often included in pad thai dishes in amounts of 1 cup or 2 cups.
In pad thai recipes that contain bean sprouts, it is on average, 8% by weight.
In recipes for pad thai, bean sprouts is often used with peanuts, lime, green onions, fish sauce and eggs. On the other hand, bean sprouts is almost never used with white peppercorns.
onion
Another popular ingredient in pad thai is onion. From the recipes we've sampled for pad thai, over 75% have onion.
Variations of onion include:
- green onions: 75% of recipes
Green onions, fish sauce, pepper, pork loin and cilantro are commonly used together with onion in pad thai dishes.
green onions
Another popular ingredient in pad thai is green onions. From the recipes we've sampled for pad thai, over 75% have green onions.
Sliced is a frequent preparation for green onions in pad thai dishes.
Green onions is often included in pad thai dishes in amounts of 2 green onions, 1 cup or 3 green onions.
In pad thai recipes that contain green onions, it is on average, 6% by weight.
For pad thai recipes, green onions is frequently used with fish sauce, bean sprouts, peanuts, lime and eggs.
garlic
Garlic is another common ingredient in pad thai dishes. In fact, over 65% of pad thai recipes contain garlic.
Chopped and minced are frequent preparations for garlic in pad thai dishes.
Garlic is often included in pad thai dishes in amounts of 4 cloves, 3 cloves or 1 teaspoon.
In pad thai recipes that contain garlic, it is on average, 1.5% by weight.
For pad thai recipes, garlic is frequently used with fish sauce, green onions, bean sprouts, vegetable oil and sugar. However, tofu is almost never used together with garlic in pad thai dishes.
peanuts
Another popular ingredient in pad thai is peanuts. From the recipes we've sampled for pad thai, over 65% have peanuts.
Variations of peanuts include:
- peanut butter: 19% of recipes
In recipes for pad thai, peanuts is often used with bean sprouts, lime, green onions, fish sauce and eggs. On the other hand, peanuts is almost never used with white peppercorns.
vegetable oil
Vegetable oil is another common ingredient in pad thai dishes. In fact, over 55% of pad thai recipes contain vegetable oil.
Common quantities for vegetable oil in pad thai dishes include 2 tablespoons or 3 tablespoons.
In pad thai recipes that contain vegetable oil, it is on average, 4% by weight.
Fish sauce, green onions, garlic, bean sprouts and lime are commonly used together with vegetable oil in pad thai dishes. Conversely, vegetable oil is not often used with cilantro, peanut butter and ginger.
eggs
Another popular ingredient in pad thai is eggs. From the recipes we've sampled for pad thai, over 50% have eggs.
Eggs is often included in pad thai dishes in amounts of 1 eggs or 2 larges.
In pad thai recipes that contain eggs, it is on average, 9% by weight.
For pad thai recipes, eggs is frequently used with bean sprouts, lime, green onions, fish sauce and peanuts. However, peanut butter, white peppercorns and black pepper are almost never used together with eggs in pad thai dishes.
pepper
Pepper is another common ingredient in pad thai dishes. In fact, over 35% of pad thai recipes contain pepper.
Variations of pepper include:
- black pepper: 13% of recipes
In recipes for pad thai, pepper is often used with green onions, eggs, bean sprouts, lime and cilantro.
Potential substitutions for pepper in pad thai:
- salt
- chili powder
- white peppercorns
Also, pepper is not often used with rice, peanut butter, chicken thigh and black pepper.
cilantro
Another popular ingredient in pad thai is cilantro. From the recipes we've sampled for pad thai, over 35% have cilantro.
Chopped is a frequent preparation for cilantro in pad thai dishes.
Common quantities for cilantro in pad thai dishes include a quarter cup.
In pad thai recipes that contain cilantro, it is on average, 0.4% by weight.
Bean sprouts, peanuts, lime, green onions and fish sauce are commonly used together with cilantro in pad thai dishes.
Potential substitutions for cilantro in pad thai:
- shallots
Also, cilantro is not often used with vegetable oil, chicken thigh and white peppercorns.
rice noodles
Rice noodles is another common ingredient in pad thai dishes. In fact, over 35% of pad thai recipes contain rice noodles.
Dried, soaked and drained are frequent preparations for rice noodles in pad thai dishes.
In pad thai recipes that contain rice noodles, it is on average, 19% by weight.
For pad thai recipes, rice noodles is frequently used with bean sprouts, lime, eggs, green onions, fish sauce and peanuts.
Potential substitutions for rice noodles in pad thai:
- rice
Also, rice noodles is not often used with salt, white peppercorns and black pepper.
shallots
Another popular ingredient in pad thai is shallots. From the recipes we've sampled for pad thai, over 30% have shallots.
Pad thai dishes often call for shallots to be sliced.
Shallots is often included in pad thai dishes in amounts of 2 shallots.
In pad thai recipes that contain shallots, it is on average, 1.7% by weight.
In recipes for pad thai, shallots is often used with fish sauce, garlic, vegetable oil, sugar and bean sprouts.
Potential substitutions for shallots in pad thai:
- cilantro
Also, shallots is not often used with brown sugar, ginger, pork loin and black pepper.
Other pad thai Ingredients
Other significant ingredients used in pad thai recipes include:
- shrimp - 30%
- rice - 25%
- tamarind - 25%
- soy sauce - 25%
- chili powder - 25%
- salt - 25%
- chicken thigh - 15%
- tofu - 10%
- ginger - 10%
- white peppercorns - 10%
- chicken breast - 10%
- pork loin - 10%
Select Recipes for pad thai (Ingredients Only)
- - 4 ounces dried rice stick noodles (1/8 to 1/3 inch wide)
- - 2 tablespoons sugar
- - 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- - 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- - 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- - 1/4 pound chicken thighs, cut into bite-size slices (or extra-firm or pressed tofu or large peeled shrimp)
- - 1 egg
- - 1 cup bean sprouts
- - 2 green onions, cut thinly on an angle into 2-inch-long slices
- - 2 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts
- - 1 teaspoon roasted chile powder
- - 1 lime wedge
- - One 14-ounce package dried thin rice noodles
- - 1 tablespoon fish sauce, or more as needed
- - 1 tablespoon white sugar
- - Vegetable oil, for frying
- - 1 block firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- - 2 shallots, minced
- - 1 egg
- - 1 bunch green onions, sliced
- - 1 bunch bean sprouts
- - 1/2 cup crushed peanuts
- - 1 bunch radishes, cut into slices
- - 2 limes cut, into wedges
- - Chili powder
- - 3/4 cup coconut milk
- - 1 tablespoon tamarind
- - 3 tablespoons sugar
- - 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- - 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- - 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- - 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
- - 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- - 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- - 2 shallots, diced
- - 3 teaspoons tamarind
- - 2 tablespoons chopped garlic chives
- - 2 teaspoons salt
- - 6 sesame seed buns
- - Chinese or napa cabbage
- - Bean Sprouts
- - 1 pound fusilli
- - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- - 4 limes
- - 1/3 cup Thai fish sauce
- - 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- - 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- - 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
- - 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- - 8 ounces small (41/50-count) shelled and deveined shrimp
- - 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thinly sliced
- - 4 cups (10 ounces) bean sprouts
- - 6 scallions, green parts only, cut into 2-inch lengths, plus thinly sliced for garnish
- - 1 1/2 cups coarsely shredded carrots
- - 1/2 cup roasted, salted peanuts, chopped, plus more for garnish
- - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- - 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- - 1 teaspoon Asian chili paste, such as sambal oelek
- - 3 tablespoons canola oil
- - 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- - 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- - 1/2 cup julienned mixed vegetables (carrots, yellow squash, zucchini)
- - 4 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, sliced into strips
- - 12 medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- - 1/4 pound medium-wide rice noodles, soaked in warm water until softened and drained
- - 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- - 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- - Chopped Romaine lettuce, for garnish
- - Mung bean sprouts, for garnish
- - Lime wedges, for garnish
- - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
- - Chopped peanuts, for garnish
- - 6 ounces medium, dry rice stick noodles
- - 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
- - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- - 1 pound pork loin, thinly sliced strips
- - 1/4 cup Thai fish sauce
- - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- - 3 tablespoons sugar
- - 1/4 cup peanut oil, divided
- - 4 garlic cloves, minced
- - 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- - 3/4 tablespoon green onions, thinly sliced
- - 3 eggs, beaten
- - 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
- - 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, finely chopped
- - 1 lime, cut into wedges
- - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- - 1 bunch scallions
- - 4 large eggs
- - cup roasted, salted peanuts
- - 8 oz. dried flat pad Thai noodles or stir-fry rice noodles
- - ¼ cup tamarind juice concentrate (or 2 Tbsp. tamarind paste mixed with 2 Tbsp. water)
- - 3 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
- - 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
- - 2 tsp. chili-garlic sauce, such as sambal oelek or Sriracha, plus more for serving
- - 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- - 2 cups mung bean sprouts
- - Lime wedges (for serving)
- - 1/3 cup tamarind pulp
- - 1/3 cups fish sauce
- - 2 ounces palm sugar, grated (about 1/3 cup)
- - 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, trimmed of visible fat and sliced into 1/4-inch thick strips
- - 1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided
- - 6 shallots, finely chopped
- - 6 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- - 1/4 cup tiny dried shrimp, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes and drained
- - 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- - 12 ounces dry rice stick noodles, soaked in cold water for 30 minutes, drained
- - 2 large eggs, beaten
- - 2 cups bean sprouts
- - 2/3 cup toasted unroasted peanuts, finely chopped
- - 1 bunch scallions, cut into 1-inch lengths
- - 4 limes, cut into wedges for garnish
