Carrot Noodle Pad Thai (Vegan and Noodle-Free)

(Note: this post was originally published on April 15, 2020. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)

Carrot Noodle Pad Thai, a Healthier Remake

Are you ready for a fun, colorful, and fresh spin on a classic? This carrot noodle Pad Thai has all of the appeal of the takeout icon, but it uses more healthful ingredients. It's vegan, low-carb, relatively low-fat, and loaded with colorful veggies, so it's a Pad Thai recipe you can truly feel good about enjoying.

As a disclaimer, this Pad Thai recipe is by no means traditional. I've made a lot of changes (see details below) to make this noodle-free Pad Thai healthier and vegan. I've also omitted some of the harder-to-find ingredients so that you can easily make this recipe at home, regardless of what stores you have access to. So although this carrot noodle Pad Thai is not authentic by any stretch of the imagination, it's a flavorful, plant-based Pad Thai-inspired dish that is easy enough and nourishing enough to enjoy any night of the week.

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How to Make Healthy, Noodle-Free Pad Thai

There are a few ways I've adjusted classic Pad Thai to make it plant-based and more nourishing:

1. Instead of the classic noodles, this recipe instead uses carrot noodles. Carrot noodles are lower in carbs, naturally gluten-free and grain-free, and are rich in nutrients like beta carotene, fiber, potassium, and several different vitamins. Unlike zucchini noodles, which can get soft and watery, carrot noodles have great texture and can stand up to cooking.
2. Instead of the classic sauce, this recipe uses tahini as the fat component and just a very small amount of cooking oil. While takeout versions can feel heavy, this no-noodle Pad Thai has just the right amount of richness.
3. As written, this noodle-free Pad Thai is vegan. If you're vegetarian or vegan, be aware that traditional Pad Thai recipes (including restaurant versions) often use fish sauce for flavor, and sometimes dried shrimp as well. Many versions also use eggs. I've added a few savory flavor powerhouses to compensate.
4. Unlike most restaurant versions, this carrot noodle Pad Thai doesn't use added sugar. Because the carrot noodles have some delicate sweetness, this no-noodle Pad Thai doesn't need sugar to balance the flavors.

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Carrot Noodle Pad Thai Variations

There are plenty of ways you can change up this no-noodle Pad Thai to make it your own. To make it into a heartier meal, add your protein of choice; super-firm tofu would work great. To make it nut-free, omit the peanut garnish and use sesame seeds instead. Although it's not traditional, feel free to add another vegetable; broccoli or cabbage would work nicely.

Love the idea of noodle-free Pad Thai? I think you'll also love this Tropical Pad Thai Salad, which is a no-cook dish loosely inspired by Pad Thai that uses Napa cabbage in place of noodles.

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Make-Ahead Tips

Although this carrot noodle Pad Thai is fast enough for a weeknight, it also works well as a make-ahead dish. Unlike traditional noodles, the carrot noodles won't get soggy if they sit for a couple days. You can either make the entire dish ahead of time for healthy meal prep, or just save leftovers for later. After cooking, transfer this noodle-free Pad Thai into a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for up to several days. Don't add the garnishes until you're ready to serve.

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Ingredients and Substitutions

Here's what you'll need for this vegan carrot noodle Pad Thai, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

• Carrot noodles. You can either spiralize your own or buy pre-made carrot noodles. Some artisan markets carry fresh carrot noodles, while stores like Trader Joe's often sell frozen carrot noodles. Zucchini noodles will not work well in this recipe because they can easily become watery and too soft during cooking.
• Coconut oil
• Toasted sesame oil
• Scallions (a.k.a. green onions)
• Fresh garlic
• Soy or tamari sauce
• Tahini. My personal favorite tahini is Seeds of Collaboration, which is very creamy and delicate. If you use the code ROGUE at check-out, you can save 20% on your entire order. Tahini is the main source of richness in this lightened-up no-noodle Pad Thai.
• Rice vinegar
• Lime. You'll use both the zest and the juice.
• Mung bean sprouts
• Fresh cilantro
• Roasted salted peanuts

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Closing Thoughts

If you love the concept of Pad Thai but are tired of heavy restaurant versions, then this non-traditional no-noodle Pad Thai is for you. It ditches the usual noodles, the added sugar, and most of the oil, and instead relies on colorful and nourishing vegetables. It has all the appeal of takeout Pad Thai but is vegan, low in fat, low in carbs, and grain-free.

Are you excited to give this carrot noodle Pad Thai a try? It's the ultimate healthy comfort food and I hope you love it as much as we do at home.

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Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

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Suggested Pairings

Planter's Punch (a Rum Tiki Cocktail)

Furikake Cauliflower Bites with Avocado Sauce

Rainbow Vegan Citrusy Slaw (scroll down to the Thai-inspired version)

Blistered Shishito Pepper and Mango Salad

Vegan Pineapple Poke Bowl

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Disclosure: Seeds of Collaboration is a long-term partner. I receive free product from Seeds of Collaboration and take a small commission on sales using the discount code. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.