Kelp noodles are a fantastic vegan-friendly substitution for pasta in your favorite recipes! Kelp noodles are made from the sea vegetable kelp, which is high in nutrients and minerals like iodine, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Kelp noodles also have a slightly sweet flavor and chewy texture that makes them a great alternative to wheat-based pasta. In this recipe, we will show you how to make Kelp Noodle Pad Thai with a delicious peanut sauce!

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I've been craving a lot of Pan Asian food lately, and I have some really great recipes for you. I want to share this Pad Thai recipe with you. Pad Thai is one of my absolute favorite dishes. Salty fish sauce, tart lime, spicy pepper, crunchy peanuts, and refreshing cilantro. The best combination of flavors.

In 2013, I got a chance to learn how to make Pad Thai, among many other traditional Thai dishes while in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Today, I decided to try something a little different using the recipe we learned from the Thai Cooking School. It's the same, same but different from your traditional Pad Thai. I picked up a package of raw kelp noodles and set out to recreate the same flavor I love, only in raw form. Kelp noodles are a food made from kelp, an edible brown seaweed that contains high amounts of iodine.

Marketed as a low-calorie alternative to pasta and other noodle varieties, kelp noodles contain kelp, sodium alginate (a form of seaweed-derived salt), and water. You can easily find them online on places like Amazon or Whole Foods.

Are Kelp Noodles Good For You?

Yes! Kelp noodles are a great source of dietary iodine, which is important for maintaining a healthy thyroid. Kelp noodles are also low in calories and fat, and contain no cholesterol or gluten. In addition, kelp noodles provide a good amount of fiber, which can help with digestion.

What are Kelp Noodles Made Of?

Kelp noodles are made from the sea vegetable kelp, which is a type of seaweed. Kelp grows in cold, shallow waters and is harvested for its nutritional value. Kelp noodles have a slightly sweet flavor and chewy texture that makes them a great alternative to wheat-based pasta.

Do Kelp Noodles Taste Like Pasta?

Kelp noodles do not taste like a paste because gluten-based foods have a distinct flavor. Kelp noodles have a slightly sweet flavor and a crunchy and chewy texture that makes them a great alternative. Kelp noodles are best eaten and prepared in their raw form, however, you can cook them, and are also less likely to get mushy when cooked, so they hold up well in stir-fries and other dishes.

Are Kelp Noodles Keto?

Yes, Kelp noodles are a great option for those on a ketogenic diet. Kelp noodles are low in carbohydrates, and calories, and contain no cholesterol or gluten. In addition, kelp noodles provide a good amount of fiber, which can help with digestion.

Are Kelp Noodles Raw?

Yes, Kelp noodles are a raw food.

Are Kelp Noodles Gluten-Free?

Yes, Kelp noodles are naturally gluten-free.

Are Kelp Noodles easy to prepare?

Kelp noodles couldn’t be easier to prepare. No cooking is necessary – just soak them in purified water. Before getting started, I first took my kelp noodles out of their packaging and soaked them in a bowl of water. I let them soak while I was preparing my ingredients and blended my sauce. This help with separating the noodles.

For the sauce, I blended up a combination of fish sauce, raw almond butter, red chili flakes, garlic, onion and lime juice. In a blender or food processor, you'll want to blend the ingredients together until smooth. I tossed the mixture with the kelp noodles, using two utensils, using a gentle "lift and turn" method (like tossing a salad) so that they're coated well. I then added the carrots and bean sprouts.

I garnished it with green onion, cilantro, chopped peanuts, and a dash of sesame seeds. Once I took a bite, I knew I'd used the right ratios. The sauce was spot on. I also immediately fell in love with the crunch of the kelp noodles. I don't think I'll be making pad thai the traditional way anymore.

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What you’ll love about Kelp Noodle Pad Thai

What I love about this recipe is that it's much healthier than traditional Pad Thai without compromising the flavor.

Kelp noodles contain no fat, cholesterol, protein, or sugar. Per serving, they typically contain 1 gram of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 35 milligrams of sodium. Kelp noodles typically provide 15% of your daily calcium needs and 4% of your daily iron needs per serving.
Using an all-natural no sugar added peanut butter provides one way to boost your fat count in this recipe. Peanuts are a healthful ingredient packed with protein, fiber, heart-healthy fats, and important vitamins and minerals. Peanuts have been shown to help improve blood cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and help to lower blood pressure. Peanuts are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help to protect cells from damage. In addition, peanuts contain resveratrol, a compound that has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved brain health.
If you are allergic to peanuts, you can use Almond butter as an alternative, which will offer it;’s own set of impressive nutritional profiles, and not to mention a great source of Healthy Fats, Fiber, Calcium, Cooper, Vitamin E, and Magnesium.
Bean sprouts contain protein, vitamin C, and B vitamins; they're especially good sources of folate.

Kelp Noodle Pad Thai

Raw, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Serves 4

What You'll Need

Garnish:

1 green onions, sliced

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

1/3 cup roughly chopped peanuts

a dash of sesame seeds

Optional: Sriracha sauce (Here is a great homemade recipe)

1 package raw kelp noodles

2 heaping tablespoons peanut butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups fresh mung bean sprouts

1/2 onion, sliced 1/4 carrot, sliced

4 tablespoons no-soy vegan fish sauce*

juice of 1 lime (or 1 tablespoon rice vinegar)

What You’ll Need To Know

For the sauce, in a bowl mix in almond butter, red chili flakes, fish sauce, garlic, onion and lime juice. Keep mixing until a sauce forms.
Add the bean sprouts and carrots and mix together in a bowl with the kelp noodles..
Add the mixture with the kelp noodles. Using two utensils, use a gentle "lift and turn" method (like tossing a salad) so that they're coated well. (You don't want to cook the kelp noodles!)
Taste-test for seasoning, adding more fish sauce or chili until desired flavor is reached.
Garnish with cilantro, green onion and peanuts.

This recipe was first published March 2014 and updated by our editors August 2022

Kelp Noodle Pad Thai: A Vegan-Friendly Recipe with Tons of Health Benefits