vegan and gluten-free pad thai with crushed peanuts, broccoli, bean sprouts, cilantro and chives - Plant-Based Pal recipe

The best vegan pad thai tamarind sauce (vegan, gluten free) - a delectable blend of tangy tamarind, savory fish-less sauce, and sweet agave.

Vegan Pad Thai Sauce Recipe

Elevate your dishes with this flavorful sauce that is not only delicious but also caters to various dietary preferences. Our sauce is perfect for creating authentic Pad Thai dishes that everyone can enjoy, whether they are vegan, gluten-free, or simply looking for a flavorful addition to their meals.

How to Make Vegan Pad Thai Tamarind Sauce

This plant-based pad Thai sauce is easy and simple to make, consisting of just a few key ingredients. So grab your tote bag, head to the nearest Asian food market, and let’s get started!

Tamarind paste: tamarind is a fruit originating from indigenous Africa and Asia. Tamarind paste is made by extracting the liquid from the tamarind pulp, resulting in a tangy, sweet-sour substance. Because of its’ high polyphenol content, tamarind is considered to be antioxidant- rich and anti-inflammatory. It is rich in iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Tamarind paste can be found at your local Asian supermarket, or in the Asian section at most grocery stores.

Vegan Fish-less Sauce: can be found at the supermarket, or easily made at home! I highly recommend my vegan fish-less sauce recipe made with nori seaweed, miso and fresh garlic. This savory sauce perfectly compliments the tanginess of tamarind and sweetness of agave.

Keep in mind: measurements may change slightly if using storebought fish-less sauces as opposed to my homemade recipe. As always, taste test and adjust accordingly.

Agave nectar: to add a touch of sweetness. Substitute with honey or brown sugar.

vegan and gluten-free pad thai with crispy lion's mane mushroom chicken substitute, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, cilantro, chives, thai basil, broccoli and onion - Plant-Based Pal hearty dinner recipe — Vegan Pad Thai with Crispy Lion’s Mane “Chicken”

Tasty Pad Thai Additions

Crispy Lion’s Mane Mushroom: the best chicken-like plant-based meat alternative, similar to the texture and appearance of chicken katsu. This is my favorite topping for pad Thai because of its’ unique tenderness on the inside and crunchiness on the outside.
Crispy Oyster Mushrooms: these mushrooms have a slight “fishy” flavor which is great for this recipe if you enjoy it! Prepare them the same way you would the lion’s mane.
Tofu: sautéed and air fried tofu provides a hearty and satisfying topping to pad Thai. It will also pack a protein punch!
Tempeh: a fermented soybean plant-based protein best prepared by marinating, steaming then sautéing.
Peanut butter: be creative by adding a scoop of peanut butter to your tamarind sauce for a hint of nuttiness and flavor depth.