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Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) with Ground Turkey

Thai Drunken Noodles (also known as Pad Kee Mao) are a flavorful dish that is easy to make at home. Whip them up with ground turkey (or your favorite animal protein) for a unique show-stopping meal in. The dish takes no more than 40 minutes to prepare!

Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) with Ground Turkey - refined sugar-free

There is no denying the satisfaction that comes with a well-crafted noodle. If you’re like me and you’re crazy about Thai food, you’re going to LOVE making drunken noodles at home.

They are so easy to prepare. My guess is you already have the ingredients you need if you make Asian cuisine.

What Are Drunken Noodles?

Pad Kee Mao is translated literally as “drunken noodles” It is a traditional Thai dish of wide rice noodles, fresh basil, chilis, and a sweet and salty sauce made of soy, oyster sauce, and sugar. 

Yellow and green onion (and sometimes vegetables) and animal protein are often added. When everything is stir fried up together, you end up with a sweet, spicy, sticky noodle that hits all your palatary pleasures.

While it is customary to cook drunken noodles with chicken, beef or pork, I took the creative liberty to use ground turkey (because I love it!). I also choose to use liquid aminos instead of soy sauce, and coconut sugar instead of cane sugar. 

Thai Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) with Ground Turkey

Why are drunken noodles called drunken noodles? 

A few theories are:

1.) The noodles are so spicy they’ll make your head spin (don’t worry, the heat level is customizable, and the recipe as written is mild) 

2.) They go great alongside a cold beer (or other alcoholic beverage), and 

3.) Drunken noodles are an epic hangover cure. 

Like many tales, I’m sure there is truth to all three.

The key to amazing drunken noodles is using fresh chilis and basil. You can use either Thai basil or regular (holy) basil. Because we’re going for those sweet and umami flavors, a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar (or other sweetener) is bangarang.
Let’s make these noodles already!

How to Make Drunken Noodles:

Cook noodles according to package instructions and set aside until ready to use.

Stir together the liquid aminos, water, fish sauce, coconut sugar, and red chili sauce in a small bowl and set aside.

Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok and add the ground turkey. Allow it to brown without touching for 3 minutes. Flip and allow the other side to brown another 3 minutes. Use a spatula to break up the meat.

Add the Thai chilies, garlic and green onion and continue cooking about 3 minutes. Add the sauce and bring to a full boil before adding the noodles.

Continue cooking until most of the sauce has been absorbed and noodles begin to stick to the pan, about 8 to 15 minutes.

Stir in the fresh basil and serve.

Thai Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) with Ground Turkey

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Replace liquid aminos with soy sauce or coconut aminos.
  • For mild noodles, replace the Thai chilies with 1 red bell pepper and omit the sriracha.
  • Use ½ lb chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or steak instead of ground turkey.
  • For a less meaty noodle, use only ½ lb of ground turkey instead of 1 lb…this recipe is protein-forward.
  • Replace coconut sugar with cane sugar or brown sugar.
  • Use only fish sauce or only oyster sauce if you just have one or the other on hand.

Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) with Ground Turkey

More Thai Recipes:

Go home, noodles, you’re drunk.

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) with Ground Turkey - refined sugar-free

Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) with Ground Turkey

Thai drunken noodles with ground turkey. Soy-free and refined sugar-free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook noodles according to package instructions and set aside until ready to use.
  • Stir together the liquid aminos, water, oyster sauce, fish sauce, coconut sugar, and sriracha in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok and add the ground turkey. Allow it to brown without touching for 3 minutes. Flip and allow the other side to brown another 3 minutes. Use a spatula to break up the meat.
  • Add the Thai chilies, garlic and green onion and continue cooking another 3 minutes. Add the sauce and bring to a full boil before adding the noodles.
  • Continue cooking until most of the sauce has been absorbed and noodles begin to stick to the pan, about 8 to 15 minutes.
  • Stir in the fresh basil and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 4 - Calories: 509kcal - Carbohydrates: 59g - Protein: 27g - Fat: 19g - Fiber: 2g - Sugar: 4g
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Thai
Keyword: gluten free, ground turkey, noodles, Thai
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 509kcal
Author: Julia

Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) with Ground Turkey - gluten-free, soy-free, healthier version of the classic recipe

 

Recipe Rating




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R

Friday 8th of September 2023

I googled ground turkey & noodles and this popped up! I probably had so many substitutions that my dish wasn't yours anymore, but I had good reviews from my family! My subs... teriyaki sauce for oyster & fish sauces, no hot sauces or sugar. I used leftover elbow & spaghetti noodles, liquid aminos, basil, parsley, carrots, broccoli, onions, garlic, celery & ground turkey. Nice flavor! Thankyou.

Julia

Saturday 9th of September 2023

All of that sounds so lovely! Thanks for swinging back around to share your changes - this is super helpful to anyone who wants to try the same things! xo

Nanette

Monday 1st of June 2020

This recipe is excellent! I made it exactly as printed but did use sliced chicken breast for the protein. I doubled and we have been enjoying the leftovers. Thanks for another stellar, totally reliable recipe!

Julia

Monday 1st of June 2020

I'm so happy you like it, Nanette! Thanks so much for the sweet feedback! xo

Rita

Friday 29th of May 2020

Delicious! and so easy to prepare

Julia

Saturday 30th of May 2020

So happy you like it, Rita!

Parizad in Az

Thursday 28th of May 2020

We absolutely loved this! Used fresh Thai basil (from our nearby asian market) and coconut aminos in lieu of liquid aminos- it was delightful! Next- going to try out your 30min thai basil chicken recipe (pad krapow gai)?

Julia

Saturday 30th of May 2020

I'm so happy you enjoyed it!! Hope you love the Pad Krapow Gai too!! xoxox

Shirley

Wednesday 27th of May 2020

Awesome recipe! One I am looking forward to making asap.

Julia

Thursday 28th of May 2020

It's a great fusion recipe to keep weeknights interesting!! xoxo

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