These vegetarian Thai peanut noodles are a slurp-worthy dish you can make in only 15 minutes!
Pick your favorite Asian noodles and slather them in the spicy, umami peanut sauce.
There’s no need to go shopping at a specialty store, either. These easy peanut noodles are made with nothing but kitchen staples. So add the toppings and dig in!
Ingredients for Peanut Noodles
All you need for this yummy peanut noodle recipe are a few ingredients and some fresh garnishes.
So rummage through the cabinets and gather these ingredients:
- Dried Noodles – Any type of dried Asian noodle works for this recipe. Rice noodles like vermicelli or flat rice noodles are great. Udon and ramen work, too.
- Peanut Butter – To make the sauce creamy, nutty, and delicious!
- Soy Sauce – Every good Asian sauce needs an umami element. So add regular or low-sodium soy sauce.
- Sriracha – To make the sauce delightfully spicy! If you can’t find Sriracha, use another type of chili sauce.
- Rice Vinegar – The tanginess of rice vinegar makes it the perfect acidic component. It helps balance all the flavors.
- Sesame Seed Oil – I prefer toasted sesame seed oil for the sauce. Olive oil can work in a pinch.
- Honey – Every good sauce needs a well-balanced flavor. So add honey for sweetening.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Just a pinch for an extra spicy twist.
- Ginger – Fresh ginger makes a world of difference. If you don’t have it, use ground. Any ginger is better than none!
- Hot Water – For thinning the peanut butter in the sauce to achieve the ideal consistency. Reserve the noodle water and use it for more flavor.
- Peanuts, Cilantro, and Sesame Seeds – For garnishing the noodles. They add more crunch and flavor.
How to Make Peanut Noodles
You can have these peanut noodles ready on the table in 15 minutes. So it’s a great dish for busy weeks!
Just follow these three basic steps:
1. Cook the noodles. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Reserve one cup of noodle water. Drain and set them aside.
2. Make the peanut sauce. Combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, Sriracha, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, pepper flakes, ginger, and 2 tablespoons of noodle water. Whisk until smooth.
3. Dress the noodles. Toss the noodles with the peanut sauce. Add garnishes if desired, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
I love how quick and easy these noodles are to make. Better yet, they’re completely customizable. You can tailor them to your taste!
When making them, keep in mind these tips and variations:
- Let them chill. Need a cold meal for a hot day? These peanut noodles are also fantastic served cold! Chill the noodles and the sauce separately. Then, mix before serving.
- Pile on some protein. Cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all great options. A fried or jammy egg would also be delicious. Just pick your favorite protein and add it on top.
- Watch the salt! Regular soy sauce has a lot of sodium. So, to control the saltiness, I recommend using salt-free peanut butter. You can always add more salt later.
- Choose colorful veggies. Vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, edamame, snow peas, or broccoli add more nutrients and color.
- Make it vegan. Want to make this a completely plant-based meal? Use granulated sugar, agave, or maple syrup instead of honey.
How to Store
Leftover peanut noodles mean lunch is ready the next day. Just follow these storing instructions:
To Store: Place the leftover noodles in an air-tight container. Refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
To Reheat: Reheat them in the microwave until warm. Or, heat them on the stove on medium-low heat. Add more sauce, water, broth, or soy sauce if the noodles are dry.
More Noodle Recipes
Thai Peanut Noodles (Easy Recipe)
4
servings5
minutes10
minutes554
kcalThese tasty Thai peanut noodles pack a punch! You’ll love the classic blend of flavors from peanut butter, soy sauce, Sriracha rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
Ingredients
8 ounces dried noodles (rice noodles, udon, ramen, etc.)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 -2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Sriracha
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
2 tablespoons hot water
2 tablespoons chopped peanuts, for garnish
Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some of the noodle water for later.
- In a bowl, add the peanut butter, soy sauce, Sriracha, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, pepper flakes, ginger, and 2 tablespoons of noodle water. Whisk until it’s smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
- Toss the noodles with the spicy peanut sauce. Garnish them with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- These peanut noodles are also fantastic served cold. Chill the noodles and sauce separately before mixing, and keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
- If you want to add protein, consider tossing in cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu. You can also add vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or broccoli.
