Shrimp Pad Thai

• 8 oz rice noodles, flat, about 1/4 inch wide
• Sauce
• 3 tbsp tamarind concentrate
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
  Swaps for fish sauce

  Instead of fish sauce

  • Soy sauce + lime: The same amount of soy sauce, plus a squeeze of lime. Salty and savory, without the funk.
  • Vegan fish sauce: The same amount. Made from seaweed or mushrooms; close in flavor.

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• 3 tbsp brown sugar
  Swaps for brown sugar

  Instead of brown sugar

  • White sugar + molasses: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses (light) or 2 tbsp (dark). The same as store-bought.
  • White sugar: The same amount. Crisper, paler cookies with less caramel flavor.
  • Light and dark brown sugar: The same amount, either way. Dark brown sugar tastes stronger and makes bakes a bit darker and moister.

  All 4 swaps for brown sugar

• 1 tbsp lime juice
  Swaps for lime juice

  Instead of lime juice

  • Lemon juice: The same amount. Milder aroma; still bright.
  • Bottled lime juice: The same amount. Flatter and more sour; fine in cooked dishes.
  • Rice vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sour without the citrus aroma.

  More for lime juice

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes, or more to taste
  Swaps for red pepper flakes

  Instead of red pepper flakes

  • Cayenne: About half as much. Even heat throughout, no flakes.
  • Hot sauce or chili crisp: To taste. Hot sauce adds vinegar; chili crisp adds crunch and oil.
  • A fresh hot chile: Half a jalapeño or serrano for each ½ tsp. Fresh, green heat.

  More for red pepper flakes

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
  Swaps for vegetable oil

  Instead of vegetable oil

  • Another neutral oil: The same amount. No difference.
  • Melted butter: The same amount. Richer, buttery flavor; cakes are a little less moist and firmer once cool.
  • Light olive oil: The same amount. "Light" olive oil tastes mild.

  All 4 swaps for vegetable oil

• 12 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
  Swaps for shallot

  Instead of shallots

  • Yellow or red onion: The same amount, chopped fine. Sharper and less delicate.
  • Green onion whites: The same amount. Milder and fresher.

  More for shallots

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  Swaps for garlic

  Instead of garlic

  • Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
  • Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.

  More for garlic

• 2 large eggs
  Swaps for eggs

  Instead of eggs

  • Flax egg: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water for each egg. Binds well but gives less lift, so bakes are a little denser and flatter, with a mild nutty taste and brown flecks.
  • Chia egg: 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water for each egg. Works like a flax egg: good binding, little lift, slightly denser crumb.
  • Unsweetened applesauce: ¼ cup for each egg. Moister and denser, with a soft, slightly gummy crumb if you swap more than one egg.

  All 5 swaps for eggs

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 4 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
  Swaps for green onions

  Instead of green onions

  • Chives: The same amount, for the green tops. Milder and more delicate, without crunch.
  • Shallot or red onion: Half as much, chopped fine, for the white parts. Stronger; best cooked or soaked in cold water first.
  • Leeks: The same amount, sliced thin. Milder and better cooked than raw.

  More for green onions

• To serve
• ⅓ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, leaves (optional)
  Swaps for fresh cilantro

  Instead of cilantro

  • Dried cilantro: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Dried cilantro has almost no flavor; skip it as a garnish and add more of the other seasonings.
  • Flat-leaf parsley + lime zest: The same amount of parsley, plus a little lime zest. Fresh and green, without the soapy taste some people get from cilantro.
  • Thai basil or mint: Half as much. Sweeter and more perfumed.

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Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.

Cook to 145°F inside (check with a thermometer).