Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles Recipe
Introduction
Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles offer a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors that make weeknight dinners exciting. This dish is quick to prepare and versatile, ideal for a satisfying meal with noodles, veggies, or protein.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces brown rice noodles
- 3 large cloves garlic or 4-5 small cloves
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon oil (olive or any preferred)
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 1/3 to 1 cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for less spice)
- Optional: 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the brown rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Finely mince the garlic cloves. Heat the oil in a sauté pan over low heat, then add the garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 3: Add the grated ginger to the pan and sauté for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Step 4: Remove the pan from heat and add the peanut butter, tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, maple syrup or honey, red pepper flakes, and chili garlic sauce if using. Start by adding 1/3 cup of hot water and whisk everything together until smooth, adding more water to reach your preferred sauce consistency.
- Step 5: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding more soy sauce for saltiness or sriracha for extra heat as desired.
- Step 6: Toss about half of the sauce with the cooked noodles, mixing thoroughly to coat the noodles evenly.
- Step 7: Taste the noodles and add more sauce gradually if you prefer them saucier, up to using all of the sauce you made.
- Step 8: Serve the noodles topped with crushed peanuts, scallions, and extra red pepper flakes if you like. This dish pairs well with fresh veggies and your choice of protein.
Tips & Variations
- Use hot water to mix the peanut butter sauce as it blends more smoothly than cold water.
- Adjust spice levels by varying the amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup and ensure the noodles contain no eggs.
- Add sautéed tofu, shredded chicken, or steamed vegetables to turn this into a complete meal.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, as it thickens when cold.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of noodles?
Yes, this sauce works well with other noodle types such as udon, rice vermicelli, or even spaghetti if needed.
How can I make this dish less spicy?
Simply omit the red pepper flakes and reduce or skip the sriracha to tone down the heat.
PrintSpicy Peanut Butter Noodles Recipe
Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender brown rice noodles tossed in a creamy, spicy peanut sauce with garlic, ginger, and a hint of sesame. This recipe offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and heat, making it a satisfying meal for lunch or dinner that can be easily customized with your favorite veggies or protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 16 ounces brown rice noodles
Peanut Sauce
- 3 large cloves garlic or 4–5 small, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon oil (olive or preferred)
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 1/3 to 1 cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1–2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for less spice omit)
- Optional: 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Boil Water: Bring a large pot of water to a boil to prepare for cooking the noodles according to package instructions.
- Cook Noodles: Add the brown rice noodles to the boiling water and cook until tender, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Finely mince the garlic cloves. In a sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over low heat and add the garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Ginger: Add the freshly grated ginger to the garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma and flavor.
- Make Sauce: Remove the pan from heat and add the peanut butter, tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, maple syrup or honey, red pepper flakes, and chili garlic sauce (if using). Start by adding 1/3 cup of hot water and whisk everything until smooth. Add more hot water, up to 1 cup, to achieve your desired consistency.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust with additional soy sauce, sriracha, or other seasonings as needed according to your preference.
- Combine Sauce and Noodles: Add about half of the peanut sauce to the cooked noodles and toss well to coat evenly. Add more sauce if you prefer a saucier dish.
- Serve: Plate the noodles and garnish with crushed peanuts, scallions, and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Serve alongside your favorite vegetables or protein for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use hot water to mix with peanut butter for a smoother sauce consistency.
- Adjust spice level by modifying the amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes.
- Extra sauce can be saved or used as a dip or dressing for other dishes.
- Pair the noodles with grilled chicken, tofu, or steamed vegetables for added nutrition.
- Brown rice noodles offer a gluten-free option, but verify brand if strict gluten-free is required.
Keywords: spicy peanut noodles, peanut butter noodles, Asian peanut sauce, brown rice noodles, vegetarian noodle recipe, easy spicy noodles
