Vegan Tofu Pad Thai (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why isn't pad thai gluten-free? ›

I've been to Thailand three times (you can find my Thailand guide in the “Around the World” section of my website), and I never get bored of the delicious fresh flavours in Thai food. Whilst most of the Thai curries are naturally gluten free, Pad Thai isn't generally gluten free because of the soy sauce used.

Those living with celiac disease must refrain from consuming foods containing gluten, wheat, barley and rye, but can enjoy meat and poultry, fish and seafood, tofu, dairy, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and more.

Yes, plain tofu is generally considered to be safe for those with gluten intolerances to eat, as the beancurd contains no glutenous grains. However, flavoured tofu such as sweet chilli or smoky tofu may not be suitable, as it may be marinated with soy sauce which is not gluten-free.

Rice noodles, pan-fried tofu, veggies, and a really simple sauce are tossed together and ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes. It's a must-try, Thai-inspired recipe that's perfect for lunch and dinner!

Whether a particular pad thai is gluten-free depends on the restaurant and ingredients used. Those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity should not eat pad thai unless you make it yourself with gluten-free ingredients, or have confirmed with the person making it that it is, in fact, celiac-safe.

Most Thai cuisine is naturally gluten-free, so you'll have many choices when you dine. Most curries such as massaman curry, panang curry, green curry, as they do not use soy sauce. Always double check with the restaurant staff and be careful of cross contamination.

A gluten-free diet generally means not eating most grains, pasta, cereals, and processed foods. The reason is that they usually contain wheat, rye, and barley. You'll need to become an expert at reading ingredient lists on packages. Choose foods that don't contain gluten.

Entirely plant-based, gluten free, high in protein while low in fat makes for a great addition to many dishes as the main protein component. Trader Joe's Organic Firm Tofu soaks up the flavor of any dish or sauce it gets tossed into, making for a flavorful and versatile plant-based star of many meals.

Nasoya Tofu

Like Azumaya's tofu, Nasoya is made by Vitasoy USA Inc. It comes in extra firm, firm, lite firm, soft, cubed and sprouted (tofu made with sprouted soybeans). The tofu is listed as gluten-free on the company's website and is made in the same gluten-free facility as Azumaya tofu.

Why is soy sauce not gluten-free? ›

Most soy sauces contain gluten

The sauce is typically made by combining soy and crushed wheat and allowing the two to ferment for several days in a salty brine containing mold cultures (2). Therefore, most soy sauces contain gluten from the wheat. However, one variety called tamari is often naturally gluten-free.

Hummus is usually gluten-free, but not always. Traditional hummus is naturally gluten-free as are most brands such as Sabra Hummus. There are reports out there of certain brands either including flour in their hummus or just declaring that their hummus may contain wheat and/or is made on shared equipment.

If you cannot find palm sugar, the best substitute is brown sugar (1-1).

Pad Thai with Tofu

This savory noodle dish is served with fresh green onions, bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, and tamarind-based sauce. It traditionally includes eggs and fish sauce, but vegans can omit these ingredients or swap them for tofu and soy sauce.

Pad Thai is a Thai noodle stir fry with a sweet-savoury-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It's made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp.

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.

Because most dishes in Thai cuisine are naturally gluten-free, you have plenty of potential choices if you're ordering off a regular menu. Even so, you still want to ask about the gluten-free status of any dishes you are interested in and confirm that cross-contact with gluten is being avoided.

In fact, in its traditional form, this is one of the world's most allergenic foods since it contains wheat/gluten, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, and peanuts.

One of the defining ingredients that gives drunken noodles their signature flavor is oyster sauce. Although a select few companies do make a gluten-free oyster sauce, it can be exceedingly difficult to find—even at Asian, gluten-free, and other speciality markets.