Keto Pad Thai Recipe [Low Carb & Gluten Free] - KetoConnect (2024)

Keto Pad Thai is a great healthy low carb meal to keep you full for hours. It has a toasty sesame oil base with layers of soy sauce and peanut butter in the keto pad thai sauce.

Keto Pad Thai Recipe [Low Carb & Gluten Free] - KetoConnect (1)

Table of Contents hide

Is Pad Thai Low in Carbs

Almond Butter vs. Peanut Butter

How to Make Keto Pad Thai

What to Serve With Keto Pad Thai

More Asian Keto Recipes

Keto Pad Thai

Keto Pad Thai

Is Pad Thai Low in Carbs

Regular pad thai is not low carb because it contains rice noodles. One serving, just 176 grams of rice noodles has 41 grams of carbs. And trust us when we say that’s barely enough to even fill you up. They nay be complex carbs, but that doesn’t mean they will be longterm satiating.

Substitutes like shirataki noodles help make this pad thai recipe lower in carbs and more enjoyable on a keto diet. However, traditional pad thai made with noodles just isn’t a viable option on keto.

Is Pad Thai Good for a Keto Diet?

Traditional pad thai, as we established above is not good for a keto diet. This low carb pad thai and pad thai sauce on the other hand is a great keto option. Our low carb pad thai has just 8.5 net carbs a serving, where regular pad thai clocks in at 48 net carbs a serving.

Almond Butter vs. Peanut Butter

We used peanut butter in this recipe as it is more traditional to the dish, however id you prefer to stay away from crushed peanuts and it’s creamy counterpart you may prefer an almond butter base.

Peanuts are technically a legume making them a little bit inflammatory and not truly keto. However, they can have keto macros if you buy a low sugar natural peanut butter without any cheap oils and fillers.

Peanut butter is pretty common in thai food so you may want to invest in a good one like this natural peanut butter from Santa Cruz with only 2 net carbs a serving. It makes the perfect peanut butter for any stir fry or thai dish.

How to Make Keto Pad Thai

Now that you know rice noodles should be subbed with shirataki noodles it’s time to get cooking our keto pad thai.

Ingredients

This keto chicken pad thai has two parts, the sauce and the base ingredients. To make this pad thai sauce you will need natural peanut butter, minced garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar substitute, two limes, salt + pepper, and xanthan gum.

Xanthan gum is used to thicken the sauce and isn’t recommended to skip. If you can’t have xanthan gum try thickening the recipe with a teaspoon of coconut flour or simply letting it evaporate longer.

To make the chicken you will need two pounds of chicken breast, sesame oil, eggs, red bell pepper, green onion, peanuts, chili flakes, garlic powder, and cilantro.

Keto Pad Thai Recipe [Low Carb & Gluten Free] - KetoConnect (2)

Making Keto Pad Thai

To begin, spiralize your zucchini noodles and set aside. If not using zucchini noodles you can use shirataki noodles and prepare them per package instructions.

Next thinly slice the red bell pepper and mince your garlic. Pad thai is normally made with carrots, onion, and peppers thinly sliced, , but for the sake of carbs we stuck to just bell peppers and optionally bean sprouts to keep the carbs low.

Next cube the chicken thighs or chicken breast into bite sized pieces and add into a preheated skillet over medium heat with sesame oil. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the chicken breast is cooked through and reaches 165 degrees.

Remove the chicken from the pan and add in the peppers cooking for another 3-5 minutes. Add in the zucchini noodles and season with salt and pepper.

While the noodles cook mix together your sauce ingredients to season the keto chicken pad thai. In a bowl combine peanut butter, garlic, soy sauce/ coconut aminos, lime juice, and swerve for the sauce. If you don’t have coconut aminos soy sauce can be used but be mindful of the gluten and carbs.

Now push the vegetables to the side and scramble in two eggs. If desired add a like avocado oil or olive oil to the pan to prevent the eggs from sticking.

Add the sauce into the vegetables with the chicken and xanthan gum. Stir and continuing to cook for 2-5 minutes until thickened. Toss in the peanuts and green onions, then serve warm with mung bean sprouts, extra green onions, and chopped peanuts. You can also add lime juice on top, or a squeeze of lime juice into the pad thai recipe itself.

Storing Keto Pad Thai

This is a really good pad thai recipe that when made fresh tastes like it could very well be from a thai restaurant. However, unlike most low carb recipes the noodles in this dish don’t reheat the best. The flavor will still be amazing the next day, your noodles just might loose some of their texture.

Pad thai is made pretty easily so we reccomend making it fresh, or storing leftovers in a tupperware container for up to a week and just cooking new noodles with each batch.

Serving Low Carb Pad Thai

We love to serve our low carb pad thai with green onions, a drizzle of sesame oil, crushed peanuts, cilantro, and fresh lime. Feel free to change up the toppings to highlight your favorite flavors in the dish.

What to Serve With Keto Pad Thai

This low carb pad thai is a show stopper all on it’s own, but pair this stir fry with traditional noodles and you’ve got a winner. What do you do on keto though when a noodle dish isn’t an option? You make it one!

Keto noodles are plentiful nowadays and are super easy to prepare. Try low carb zucchini noodles, miracle noodles (aka shirataki noodles), or soybean noodles. All of these are great keto friendly options.

Another great pairing is roasted vegetables or cauliflower rice cooked over medium high heat to brown it slightly. Both of these options will soak up the sauce ingredients well so you get the whole flavor experience.

Keto Pad Thai Recipe [Low Carb & Gluten Free] - KetoConnect (3)

More Asian Keto Recipes

We love asian recipes. Everything from bean sprouts and green onion, to tamarind paste and soy sauce. This has led us to create tons of new asian inspired dishes to enjoy the diversity of flavors and blends. Some of our person favorite gluten free easy keto recipes are:

  • Cauliflower Fried Rice– Cauliflower rice is a fantastic substitute for regular rice. When stir fried it soaks up all of your prepared sauce and blends perfectly with beaten eggs. Plus you can add chicken thighs for a more complete meal.
  • Egg Roll in a Bowl– Egg roll in a bowl in the next best dish for a low carb lifestyle. Whether you enjoy a big, or small bowl, you can expect lightly browned cabbage and pork that stays juicy and flavorful throughout the whole dish. Plus, just like easy pad thai these healthy recipes are super quick and easy to customize.
  • Keto Teriyaki Chicken– We absolutely love pad thai, but we also love this keto teriyaki chicken made with chicken breast and brown sugar substitute so it tastes like the real deal.
  • Sweet and Sour Pork– Who doesn’t love juicy pork smothered in sweet and sour sauce after being fried to crispy perfection.

Veggie noodles like zucchini noodles make the perfect addition to thai food so you can enjoy all your favorites without the extra carbs.

Keto Pad Thai

While this keto chicken pad thai may not use the same rice noodles as traditional pad thai, that doesn’t make it any less delicious. Enjoy this keto pad thai recipe with your own personal additions and variations.

Our keto pad thai sauce is sure to impress even the fanciest of culinary geniuses. It provides the sweet, salty, umami flavor you look for in a dish all while balancing a creamy texture with crunchy chopped peanuts as an accent.

Keto Pad Thai Recipe [Low Carb & Gluten Free] - KetoConnect (4)

Search “Ketoconnect – Keto Pad Thai” On MyFitnessPal.com. Net carbs can be reduced by omitting or substituting some of the vegetables

Keto Pad Thai Recipe [Low Carb & Gluten Free] - KetoConnect (5)

4.38 from 27 votes

Keto Pad Thai

This Keto Pad Thai tastes just as good as the carb filled original, and you'll love how easy it is to throw together.

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 2 servings

Calories per serving 289kcal

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Print Rate

Ingredients:

Noodles

Sauce

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions:

  • Drain Shirataki noodles and heat in a pan over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Set aside.

  • Thinly slice carrot, bell pepper and onion. Set aside.

  • Slice up chicken thigh in long pieces like the vegetables. Heat coconut oil in a pan and cook chicken fully through.

  • Add sliced vegetables to chicken and heat through for 3-5 minutes. Add egg and scramble together with chicken and vegetables.

  • Add noodles to the chicken and vegetables.

  • Combine all ingredients in sauce and pour over the noodle mixture.

  • Mix well. toss in peanuts and green onions. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Net Carbs: 8.5g

Nutrition Facts

Keto Pad Thai

Amount Per Serving

Calories 289Calories from Fat 221

% Daily Value*

Fat 24.5g38%

Carbohydrates 13.5g5%

Fiber 5g20%

Protein 17.5g35%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course:Main Dish

Cuisine:Asian

Keyword:keto pad thai

Psst! Did you make this?Tag us on Instagram!We love seeing what you’ve made! Tag us on Instagram at @keto.connect or leave a comment & rating below.

Written by

Keto Pad Thai Recipe [Low Carb & Gluten Free] - KetoConnect (6)

Megha Barot

Megha has always been a passionate cook, but she took this to a new level after starting her keo journey in 2015. She loves creating new recipes and producing educational content for KetoConnect, which she co-founded in 2016 with Matt. Her passion for healthy eating and personal development continues to thrive. She's the proud mom of two awesome kids.

Keto Pad Thai Recipe [Low Carb & Gluten Free] - KetoConnect (2024)

FAQs

Can pad thai be gluten-free? ›

In short, traditional pad thai ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but before you order pad thai at a restaurant, be sure to ask for a list of ingredients and inquire about their prep space.

Can you have gluten-free pasta on keto? ›

Many gluten-free pastas are made from ingredients that are rich in carbohydrates, making them not very keto-friendly. There are, however, specialized low carb noodles that are also gluten-free, designed specifically for people on a ketogenic diet.

What pasta is keto friendly? ›

Shirataki pasta is low in carbs and calories. Vegan, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and suitable for most diets.

Does pad thai have soy sauce in it? ›

For the Pad Thai sauce:

1.5 ounces tamarind pulp (plus ½ cup boiling water; or 6 tbsp/90ml tamarind concentrate) 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar (or palm sugar, if you can find it) 3 tablespoons fish sauce. 2 tablespoons Thai black soy sauce (look for the “Healthy Boy” brand)

What makes pad thai not gluten-free? ›

Pad Thai is usually gluten-free, but not always. Pad Thai traditionally uses rice noodles (which are gluten-free), but some restaurants use soy-sauce (which may contain wheat) and sometimes fish sauce is added to pad thai (and a few brands of fish sauce contain wheat).

Is PF Chang's frozen chicken pad thai gluten free? ›

Is Chicken Pad Thai gluten-free? P.F. Chang's Chicken Pad Thai can be ordered gluten-free upon request. When dining in, please alert your server of any allergies before placing your order.

Is chickpea pasta OK on keto? ›

No, Chickpea Pasta is NOT keto-friendly. Chickpeas are high in carbohydrates. A 100-gram serving delivers 45.61 grams of carbohydrates, which is pretty high by keto standards. You need only 20-30 grams of carbs when you are on a keto diet.

Is quinoa good for keto? ›

Quinoa can be a keto food in spite of having a high carb content. Eat quinoa in small amounts to maintain the state of ketosis. Other foods like cauliflower rice and almond flour make good alternatives to grains.

What's the difference between gluten-free and low carb? ›

Gluten-free and low-carb diets are different diets with different goals – a gluten-free diet is about avoiding gluten, while a low-carb diet is about restricting carbohydrates. Gluten itself is a protein, rather than a carbohydrate.

Is peanut butter OK on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Is popcorn okay for keto? ›

Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.

What Rice has no carbs? ›

Konjac Rice Keto Pasta - Low Carb Keto Rice Plant Based 100% - USDA Organic Premium Konjac Shirataki Rice - Low Carb Rice - Keto Rice Carb Free, No Carb Rice Alternative, 6 Pack, 12 Servings.

Can Pad Thai be healthy? ›

It can definitely be a part of a balanced, well-rounded diet. While pad thai includes many nutritious ingredients, its sodium content is considerably high. You can reduce its sodium by requesting the eatery go easy on the sauce and salt-contributing condiments.

What is a substitute for tamarind in Pad Thai? ›

TAMARIND SUBSTITUTION

Although ketchup is a common replacement for tamarind paste, we prefer this tasty mixture: 1/4 cup (50 mL) tomato paste, 2 tbsp (30 mL) rice vinegar or freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice, 2 tbsp (30 mL) Worcestershire, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 1 tbsp (15 mL) brown sugar and 1 tbsp (15 mL) water.

What makes Pad Thai taste like Pad Thai? ›

Pad Thai Sauce is made with fish sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar and tamarind. Tamarind is the ingredient that is the heart and soul of Pad Thai sauce, giving the sauce the sour flavour that Pad Thai is known for. It's an ingredient used in South East Asian cooking, like this Malaysian Beef Rendang.

Is Pad Thai in Thailand gluten-free? ›

If you're craving something savory while in Thailand, you don't have to ditch your gluten-free diet. While one of the most popular street foods in Thailand, pad thai, is definitely not gluten-free because of the soy sauce, there are some other appetizing options that won't take you off of your gluten-free diet.

Does rice paper have gluten? ›

Rice paper is naturally gluten-free, cheap and last forever in the cupboards. Using fresh vegetables and tofu, rolling several as a snack or appetiser before dinner is straightforward and best of all, healthy!

Is Thai rice flour gluten-free? ›

All native starches trading under Thai Flour Industry are gluten free and of food grade. We emphasized on maintaining the consistency of quality as only the best products are suitable for our customers.

Is Thai sticky rice gluten-free? ›

Glutinous rice, also known as sticky rice or sweet rice, is gluten-free despite its name. In fact, all varieties of rice are gluten-free. The term “glutinous,” in this case, means “sticky.” The proportion of starches in rice varies by rice type.

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