25 minute low carb and healthy Pad Thai Zucchini Noodles is a crunchy and healthy salad version of the classic noodle dish. It’s made with zoodles, shrimp, eggs and a peanut sauce.

Best of all you can swap out the shrimp for fried tofu recipe or air fryer tofu recipe for a meat-free version!

Pad Thai zucchini noodles garnished with cilantro in serving bowl with wooden spoons.

This Pad Thai zucchini noodles recipe is a cold salad take on a noodle dish traditionally served warm! It’s a low carb version containing all the things we love in classic Pad Thai and is packed with crazy flavor.

Crunchy fresh veggies, combined with lightly browned tofu, scrambled eggs, juicy shrimp, and roasted peanuts all “drowning” in a healthy version of Pad Thai sauce.

Pad Thai zoodles get even better the next day! This recipe is a must try for a hot summer day with a lot of leftovers that everyone will be fighting for.

It’s a dish great for satisfying your take out Pad Thai cravings without all the hassle and extra sodium because making this crunchy salad version at home in under 30 minutes is easy, fresh, and healthy!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Peanuts, red pepper, zucchini, bean sprouts, eggs, tofu and shrimp.

Wherever possible use in season local produce. Here’s everything you need to make this drool worthy lighter Pad Thai recipe.

  • Zucchini: To form them into zoodles I use a veggie spiralizer. If you have a mandolin or even a veggie peeler, you can use those to form your strands.
  • Shrimp: The shrimp should already be cooked so you can decide to add them cold or heated through.
  • Eggs: You can use the whole egg or just the egg whites if you prefer.
  • Tofu: I highly recommend organic firm tofu.
  • Veggies: I used a combination of red bell pepper, bean sprouts, and green onion for crunch and color.
  • Peanut butter: Unsalted and smooth is the way to go. Smooth just makes for a silky consistency for the sauce.
  • Soy sauce: For a gluten free alternative, use Bragg liquid aminos. This can also be used in place of the fish sauce if you prefer, or just don’t have any on hand.
  • Maple syrup: Adds the sweet to the salty for a delicious combination. Honey can also do the job!
  • Lime juice

What I loved about this salad is that it’s a full meal with variations to suit your family’s taste.

How to Make Pad Thai with Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini on top of mandoline being sliced into zoodles over a bowl.

To make zucchini noodles, use a mandoline, spiralizer, or a vegetable peeler. The last one is a bit more time-consuming and yields less than perfect noodles but it’s a cheaper and more accessible alternative.

Pour all sauce ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Set that aside for later.

Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and make scrambled eggs over medium heat. Transfer them to a large salad bowl.

Pouring peanut sauce over zucchini noodles, shrimp, eggs, tofu, bean sprouts and red pepper in a bowl.

Wipe that same skillet down, or rinse if you need to. Place it back over medium high heat and cook the tofu with a bit of salt until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Watch that they don’t burn. When they’re done they’re going into the same bowl to join their egg friends.

Add the remaining ingredients for Pad Thai zucchini noodles into the bowl and pour the dressing overtop.

Mix gently, and enjoy!

I like to enjoy this cold as a salad, but it could easily be served warm too.

Variations

Veggie Options

  • Carrot, cut into thin matchsticks
  • Sliced radish
  • Mushrooms
  • Broccoli

Protein Options

  • Swap shrimp for crab
  • Chicken for tofu
  • Use tempeh rather than tofu, or a bit of both

How to Meal Prep this Salad?

There are a few different components to this salad, such as cooking the shrimp, the eggs, and the tofu. Also, spiralizing the zucchini and chopping veggies. Then you’ve got the sauce to make.

All of these things can be done ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge overnight and assemble the salad the next day.

Make extra sauce because it can be used for many other Thai dishes.

How to Store Leftovers?

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. It’s great to pack up for lunch the next day.

More FAQs

Can I make this a vegetarian dish?

Absolutely! Omit the shrimp and replace it with extra tofu or an increase in veggies. Stick to the soy sauce and don’t use any fish sauce.

Can I swap the zucchini noodles?

Sure! You can absolutely take this back to the original version of using rice noodles. Your choice whether you want to serve it warm like a pasta dish or cold like a cold pasta salad!

Can I serve this salad warm?

Zucchini noodles are perfectly delicious when eaten raw, especially when surrounded by all these great flavors. If you want to cook them lightly and enjoy this healthy Pad Thai zucchini noodles recipe warm, you can.

More Thai Inspired Recipes

More Low Carb Zucchini Recipes

You might also enjoy this list of healthy zucchini recipes!

Pad Thai zucchini noodles with peanuts, red bell pepper and cilantro in a bowl with serving spoon.
Pad Thai zucchini noodles salad in white bowl, linen napkin and peanuts nearby.

Pad Thai Zucchini Noodles

25 minute low carb and healthy Pad Thai Zucchini Noodles is a crunchy and healthy salad version of the classic noodle dish.
4.79 from 19 votes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 279
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients  

Pad Thai Dressing:

Salad:

Instructions 

  • In a blender or food processor, make the dressing by processing peanut butter, warm water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, fish sauce, maple syrup and lime juice until smooth. Set aside.
  • Preheat large skillet on medium heat, spray with cooking spray, add eggs and cook until scrambled. Transfer to a large salad bowl.
  • Wipe clean or rinse the skillet, return to medium-high heat, swirl oil to coat and add tofu with a pinch of salt. Cook until somewhat golden brown, stirring occasionally and watching closely not to burn. Transfer to the bowl with eggs.
  • Then add shrimp, zucchini, bell pepper, bean sprouts, peanuts, cilantro, and green onion. Pour dressing over the salad, mix gently and serve cold.

Notes

  • Omit shrimp for vegan or vegetarian version.
  • Skip tofu or substitute with cooked diced chicken.
  • No fish sauce? Sub with soy sauce.
  • Store: Refrigerate covered for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 165mg | Sodium: 855mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Olena, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the recipes and awesome info/resources you provide on the site! I plan on trying this recipe this week and I will be cooking tofu for the first time. Should I marinate the tofu in the pad thai dressing first? Thank you!

    1. Hi Melissa. Oh my goodness, I’m blushing. Thank you! Yes, you could marinate it and then dump the leftover marinade in to the salad (don’t throw it out). Or you don’t have to marinate. Tofu will get coated with dressing anyways. Depends how much time you have. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t.

  2. 5 stars
    Yummo!!! Made and devoured last night by myself and my husband. It was amazing, thank you. Your blog is awesome and much appreciated!!!

  3. 5 stars
    Hi there, question about the coconut oil. I am not vegetarian nor do I follow a Paleo life style. Can I just skip the coconut oil or is there a substitution that I can use? Thanks for posting the WW points as I am watcher.

  4. 5 stars
    Hi! Just had to post and say thank you. This was so delicious and gave me hope that healthy food can taste amazing! Great post!

  5. 5 stars
    This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.
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  6. 5 stars
    We LOVE Pad Thai and Zoodles in our household. Plus, I always need idea that pack well for my hubs’ lunch…you just saved my life. Pinned!

  7. 5 stars
    this is an awesome idea to use zucchini instead of pad thai noodles.. will be recreating this recipe for my vegetarian household. love it!

  8. 5 stars
    I am going to make this with almonds. Super yummy! And I love all the protein in it.

4.79 from 19 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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