Pad Thai, the renowned stir-fried noodle dish from Thailand, is a beloved staple for many around the world. With its tantalizing mix of flavors and textures, it’s no wonder Pad Thai has become so popular globally. But for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions like soy, a key question arises: Does Pad Thai contain soy?
Quick Answer: Often Yes, But It Can Be Made Without
The quick answer is that most Pad Thai recipes do contain soy sauce as a primary seasoning ingredient. However, Pad Thai can be made without soy sauce by using substitute seasonings like tamari, coconut aminos, fish sauce, or a salt and sugar mixture.
Traditional Pad Thai Ingredients
To better understand whether Pad Thai contains soy, let’s take a look at the traditional ingredients used to make this iconic noodle dish:
- Rice noodles – Thin, flat rice noodles are the foundation of Pad Thai.
- Protein – Usually shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
- Eggs – Scrambled eggs are added to the noodles.
- Bean sprouts
- Peanuts – Chopped peanuts garnish the finished dish.
- Lime – Squeezed over the Pad Thai before serving.
- Soy sauce – Adds saltiness and savory umami flavor.
- Fish sauce – Provides extra savory depth.
- Sugar – Balances the salty and sour flavors.
- Garlic and shallots
- Dried chili flakes (optional)
- Cilantro
- Tamarind paste – Provides tangy sweetness.
- Palm sugar
As you can see, soy sauce is considered a core ingredient in most traditional Pad Thai recipes. It adds a deep, salty flavor that balances the sweet and sour elements. In fact, soy sauce is so intrinsically linked to Pad Thai that some argue it’s not truly Pad Thai without it.
Why Soy Sauce is Commonly Used
There are a few reasons soy sauce became such a prevalent seasoning in Pad Thai:
- Soy sauce has been used in Thai cooking for centuries.
- It provides saltiness and umami depth to balance the other flavors.
- The thin consistency blends smoothly into the noodles and sauce.
- It originated in China and spread through Asia along with noodles.
- Soy sauce adds color and sheen to the noodles.
- It’s affordable and widely available.
So while not all Pad Thai absolutely requires soy sauce, it has clearly become the conventional choice to salt and flavor this noodle stir-fry in most Thai kitchens and restaurants.
Pad Thai Without Soy Sauce
Despite soy sauce being so commonly used, Pad Thai can certainly be made without it for those who need to avoid soy. Here are some good options:
Use Tamari Instead
Tamari is very similar to soy sauce, but it’s made without wheat. Most tamari is also made without soybeans, making it safe for soy-free diets. The flavor profile is like soy sauce too – salty, umami, and slightly sweet. Tamari is the easiest 1:1 substitute for soy sauce in Pad Thai.
Coconut Aminos
Coconut aminos have a milder flavor than soy sauce, but provide plenty of saltiness and depth. They’re made by fermenting the sap from coconut trees. Be sure to use an unseasoned variety to let the fresh flavors of the Pad Thai shine.
Fish Sauce
Since a small amount of fish sauce is already used in Pad Thai, you can simply increase the quantity to make up for the lack of soy sauce. Anchovy-based fish sauce has an intense umami punch.
Salt and Sugar
At its essence, soy sauce provides saltiness with a hint of sweetness. Replicating this flavor profile is easy with a blend of salt and sugar. Use a 2:1 ratio of salt to sugar and adjust to taste. The downside is this mixture won’t provide the color or thickness of soy sauce.
Soy Sauce Substitute Amounts
When swapping soy sauce for a substitute in Pad Thai, use approximately the same amount called for in the original recipe. As a guide:
- 2-3 tablespoons of soy sauce per 4 servings
- 1/4 cup soy sauce for 6-8 servings
- 1/3 cup soy sauce for 10 or more servings
Start with a little less substitute than soy sauce, then increase to taste during cooking until the right salty-sweet balance is achieved.
Cooking Tips for Soy-Free Pad Thai
To maximize the flavor when making Pad Thai without soy sauce, here are some useful tips:
- Sauté garlic and shallots thoroughly to develop their flavor.
- Let the protein and aromatics cook longer to brown for extra depth.
- Use an umami-rich broth like mushroom or chicken.
- Splash some lime juice directly into the noodles while stir-frying.
- Finish with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil for richness.
- Garnish with extra lime wedges, chili flakes, cilantro and chopped peanuts.
Sample Soy-Free Pad Thai Recipe
To demonstrate how tasty Pad Thai can be without soy sauce, here is a sample recipe using tamari as the substitute:
Ingredients
- 8oz rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 8 oz chicken breast or extra-firm tofu, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup tamari or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 lime, juiced
- Chopped roasted peanuts
- Cilantro
- Sriracha (optional)
Instructions
- Soak noodles according to package directions until softened. Drain and set aside.
- In a wok or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add protein and stir-fry until browned.
- Push protein to the side. Add remaining oil, garlic and shallots. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add eggs and scramble until set, breaking up large pieces.
- Add noodles and bean sprouts. Pour tamari and fish sauce over noodles. Toss to coat.
- Add sugar, vinegar and lime juice. Continue tossing and cooking for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Serve immediately with extra peanuts, cilantro and lime wedges. Add sriracha if desired.
This Pad Thai variation still offers plentiful flavor without soy sauce. The tamari and additional fish sauce provide plenty of saltiness and savoriness to season the noodles. Adjust the amount of each to suit your taste preferences.
Common Questions
Does soy sauce contain soy?
Yes, soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans so it always contains soy. Tamari sauce may be soy-free but most brands do contain soy.
What allergy is soy sauce?
Soy sauce contains soy, so it is not suitable for people with a soy allergy. It also contains wheat in most varieties so it cannot be consumed on a gluten-free diet.
Is fish sauce a good soy sauce substitute?
Fish sauce adds great umami depth but does not provide the same thickness or sweetness as soy sauce. It works best combined with another substitute like tamari or coconut aminos in Pad Thai.
Why do some recipes use tamarind paste?
Tamarind paste adds a nice tangy sweetness that helps balance the salty and savory flavors in Pad Thai. It can enhance the dish but is not essential to the recipe.
Should I exclude peanuts if allergic?
Yes, if you have a peanut allergy you should omit the peanuts used for garnish. Almond slivers or cashews make good alternative toppings instead.
The Bottom Line
While Pad Thai is commonly thought of as a soy-based dish, it doesn’t necessarily require soy sauce. With a good substitute like tamari, coconut aminos, extra fish sauce or a salt-sugar blend, you can still stay true to the iconic Thai noodle dish without the soy. Just adjust the substitute amounts to strike the right salty-sweet balance. With a few tweaks, Pad Thai can be made inclusive for any diet or food restrictions.