Description
These Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles offer a quick and flavorful meal packed with a creamy, spicy peanut sauce made from garlic, ginger, peanut butter, and a blend of seasonings. Perfect for a 15-minute dinner, this recipe balances the richness of peanut butter with the zest of sriracha and the tang of rice vinegar, served over chewy brown rice noodles for a deliciously satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Noodles
- 16 ounces brown rice noodles
Sauce
- 3 large cloves garlic or 4-5 small, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon oil (olive or any preferred oil)
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 1/3 to 1 cup hot water (for mixing sauce)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1-2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for less spice)
- Optional: 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Boil water: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil in preparation for cooking the noodles.
- Cook noodles: Add the brown rice noodles to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until tender but still al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: Finely mince the garlic and heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a sauté pan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently for about 2 minutes until it turns golden brown and fragrant.
- Add ginger: Add the freshly grated ginger to the pan and sauté for 1 additional minute to release its aroma and flavor.
- Make peanut sauce: Remove the pan from heat. Add the creamy peanut butter, tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, maple syrup or honey, red pepper flakes, and optional chili garlic sauce to the pan. Start by adding 1/3 cup of hot water and whisk vigorously to combine into a smooth sauce. Gradually add more hot water up to 1 cup as needed to reach your preferred sauce consistency.
- Adjust seasonings: Taste the sauce and adjust by adding more soy sauce for saltiness, or more sriracha for heat according to personal preference.
- Combine sauce with pasta: Add about half of the peanut sauce to the cooked noodles and toss thoroughly to coat the noodles evenly.
- Final taste check: Taste the noodles and sauce mixture. Add more sauce gradually if desired until the noodles are coated to your liking.
- Serve: Plate the noodles and garnish with crushed peanuts, sliced scallions, and extra red pepper flakes if desired. Serve alongside your preferred vegetables or protein for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can omit red pepper flakes for a milder version.
- The amount of hot water added to the peanut sauce can vary depending on the peanut butter brand and your desired sauce thickness.
- This recipe pairs well with grilled chicken, tofu, or steamed vegetables for added protein and nutrition.
- Use low sodium tamari or soy sauce to better control salt levels in the dish.
- Store extra sauce separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently before use.
