Spicy peanut noodles is a quick and easy recipe! The peanut butter sauce can be made ahead, and you can choose your favorite noodles like udon, soba, rice, ramen, or regular pasta. Ready in 15 minutes or less!
How about a no-cook spicy peanut butter sauce that can be made ahead to put on noodles when the whim strikes you? I say yes, please!
The sauce is full of Asian pantry ingredients that you probably already have hanging around. Then zhuzh it up with toppings, add protein or veggies, make it your own!
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Spicy peanut noodles ingredients
- Noodles: You can use any kind of noodle you like with this spicy peanut sauce whether it's an Asian variety like udon noodles, ramen noodles, soba noodles or rice noodles, as well as regular pasta like spaghetti or linguine. I've even used pre-cooked Thai noodles for faster prep.
- Peanut butter: You'll need regular creamy peanut butter for these noodles, don't use natural peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter.
- Fish sauce: Adds underlying umami to the spicy peanut butter sauce.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Make sure to use low sodium, since the peanut butter and fish sauce already have a fair amount of salt.
- Rice vinegar: The mellow sweetness lifts the flavor and keeps it from feeling too heavy. Using vinegar in recipes to impart acid is one of my favorite cooking tips.
- Toasted sesame oil: An essential ingredient, but be advised the flavor is strong so you only need a little bit.
- Brown sugar: This sweetens the spicy sauce for balance, and adds a bit of caramel that really complements the peanut butter.
- Garlic and fresh ginger: We'll grate the garlic and ginger finely so they distribute their aromatic quality evenly.
- Chili sauce, hot sauce: I like an Asian-style garlic chili sauce, you could also use sriracha, harissa, sambal olek or even crushed red pepper flakes.
- Water: You'll need 2 or 3 tablespoons of warm water to thin out the sauce and reach your desired texture.
- Optional toppings: Scallions, cilantro, hot chilis, chopped peanuts, etc.
How to make spicy peanut noodles
Step 1: Cook the noodles
Start cooking the noodles of your choice according to the package instructions.
Step 2: Grate the garlic and ginger
Meanwhile, peel the ginger. Use a microplane grater to grate the garlic and ginger, add to a mixing bowl.
Step 3: Make the spicy peanut butter sauce
Add all the remaining ingredients except your toppings to the bowl and use a whisk to combine.
At first, it might look weird and curdled, but keep whisking.
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You'll end up with a smooth sauce.
Step 4: Add noodles and serve with toppings
Add the noodles directly into the spicy peanut sauce without draining and use tongs or chopsticks to gently toss to combine. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Expert tips
- Don't use natural peanut butter: I tested the recipe with natural peanut butter and it just doesn't have the right texture to coat the noodles. You need the smooth quality of regular peanut butter, and the sugar and salt in it to balance the flavor.
- Fish sauce is different than soy sauce: Although they both add salt and seasoning, fish sauce is its own unique thing. It will keep in the refrigerator for a very long time, so it's worth investing in. But if you don't have it, you can swap in the same amount of soy sauce.
- Adjust the spiciness to your liking: Depending on what kind of chili sauce or hot sauce you use, the spice level may vary. If you're not sure, start with less and add more until you get it just right.
Toppings, substitutions, and add-ins
You can make and remake this noodles with spicy peanut butter sauce recipe so many different ways by changing up the toppings and add-ins. These ideas will make it feel like a whole new dish every time.
- Toppings: Scallions, chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, hot chili peppers, sesame seeds, Thai basil, fresh lime wedges.
- Vegetarian/vegan substitution: Leave out the fish sauce and substitute the same amount of soy sauce.
- Gluten-free substitution: Use rice noodles or other gluten-free noodles, and a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- Add-ins: Add tofu, chicken, or sautéed vegetables to make a heartier meal.
Make ahead and storage
- Make ahead: Spicy peanut butter sauce is a great make-ahead meal prep recipe option so all you have to do is add noodles. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes before adding warm noodles, or serve cold.
- Storage: Leftovers can be covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
More Asian recipes
Now that you've stocked your pantry with some key Asian ingredients, use them to make these recipes, too!
- Asian Broccoli is an easy side dish that's ready in minutes.
- Pork Lettuce Wraps are a fun and quick weeknight meal.
- Vietnamese Caramel Chicken is a sticky-sweet treat!
Peanut butter spicy noodles have a quick and easy sauce!
- The easy no-cook sauce is ready in about 5 minutes.
- Make it up to 4 days ahead for a quick meal.
- Substitutions and options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.
- Change up toppings and add-ins for endless variations!
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Recipe
Spicy Peanut Noodles Recipe
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Equipment
- large stock pot for boiling noodles
Ingredients
- 8 ounces noodles (such as soba, rice, udon, etc.)
- ½ teaspoon grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (not the natural kind)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon chili garlic sauce (or sriracha, chili crisp or other hot sauce)
- 2-3 tablespoon warm water
- scallions, cilantro, chopped peanuts, etc. for serving
Instructions
- Start cooking the noodles of your choice according to the package instructions.
- Peel the ginger. Use a microplane grater to grate the garlic and ginger, add both to a mixing bowl.
- Add all remaining ingredients except your toppings to the mixing bowl and use a whisk to combine. At first, it might look weird and curdled, but keep whisking until you end up with a smooth sauce.
- Add the noodles directly into the spicy peanut sauce without draining and use tongs or chopsticks to gently toss to combine. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Make ahead: Spicy peanut butter sauce is a great make-ahead meal prep option so all you have to do is add noodles. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes before adding warm noodles, or serve cold.
- Don't use natural peanut butter: I tested the recipe with natural peanut butter and it just doesn't have the right texture to coat the noodles. You need the smooth quality of regular peanut butter, and the sugar and salt in it to balance the flavor.
- Fish sauce is different than soy sauce: Although they both add salt and seasoning, fish sauce is its own unique thing. It will keep in the refrigerator for a very long time, so it's worth investing in. But if you don't have it, you can swap in the same amount of soy sauce.
- Adjust the spiciness to your liking: Depending on what kind of chili sauce or hot sauce you use, the spice level may vary. If you're not sure, start with less and add more until you get it just right.
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