Sesame peanut noodles are a delicious noodle dish that combines the nutty flavor of sesame and the richness of peanut butter for an unforgettable meal.
This recipe is versatile, customizable, and easy to make, appealing to cooks of all skill levels. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a restaurant-quality meal in minutes.
Benefits of Sesame Peanut Noodles
Beyond being inexpensive and easy to make, sesame peanut noodles offer a few health benefits as well.
- Protein: Peanut butter provides plant-based protein to keep you full and satisfied. Add chicken, tofu, or edamame for even more.
- Fiber: Noodles, vegetables, peanuts, and sesame seeds all contribute to the fiber content. This aids digestion and gut health.
- Iron: Sesame seeds are high in iron, an important mineral that helps transport oxygen in the blood.
- Magnesium: Peanuts contain magnesium, which promotes nerve and muscle function. It also helps regulate blood pressure.
- Potassium: Many ingredients, like peanuts and garlic, provide potassium to support heart health and proper fluid balance.
So savor those noodles guilt-free, knowing they deliver important nutrients along with flavor! The blend of textures and savory-sweet taste makes this dish incredibly crave-worthy.
Tips for Making Perfect Sesame Peanut Noodles
Taking a few steps will ensure your sesame peanut noodles come out perfectly:
- Use an authentic sesame paste. Asian sesame pastes like tahini provide the truest sesame flavor. Peanut butter is also key to a rich, nutty flavor.
- Toast the sesame oil. Heating the oil intensifies the nutty essence. Just add to a pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the noodles properly. Undercooked noodles won’t soak up the sauce well. Follow package directions for an al dente texture.
- Mix the sauce thoroughly. Whisk together all the sauce ingredients so the flavors marry and emulsify. This helps it coat the noodles evenly.
- Toss the noodles well. Use tongs to mix the sauce throughout the noodles, ensuring an even coating from top to bottom.
- Finish with fresh veggies. Top with crunchy vegetables like shredded carrots, bell peppers, or cabbage for contrast.
- Season to taste. Customize with more chili paste, vinegar, soy sauce, or sesame oil to your preferences.
With these tips, you’ll be guaranteed a flavorful batch of noodles each time! Play with additions like chicken, shrimp, peanuts, herbs, or cucumber to make it your own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sesame Peanut Noodles
What kind of noodles work best?
Sesame peanut sauce tastes great on any noodles you love! Spaghetti is classic, but rice noodles, ramen, lo mein, pad Thai, udon, and soba all work. Avoid egg noodles, which are too delicate. For a gluten-free option, try zucchini noodles.
Do the noodles need to be cooked first?
Yes, always cook the noodles fully before tossing them in the sesame-peanut sauce. The texture won’t be right if they’re not pre-cooked. Drain and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking.
Is peanut butter necessary for the flavor?
Peanut butter is key to achieving the rich, creamy, nutty flavor. Tahini alone would be too sesame-dominated. Natural peanut butter works, or substitute almond or cashew butter for nut allergies.
Can I make it spicy?
Absolutely! Add more chili garlic paste, sriracha, or red pepper flakes to amp up the heat. Start with a little and increase to your desired spice level. You can also use spicy chili crisp or hot chili oil.
What vegetables go well with sesame peanut noodles?
Shredded carrots, julienned bell peppers, sliced cucumbers, and thinly sliced cabbage or radishes are delicious mix-ins. You can also add edamame, snow peas, snap peas, bean sprouts, scallions, or spinach.
How long does the dish keep in the fridge?
Leftover sesame peanut noodles will keep for 5–6 days refrigerated. The noodles soak up more sauce as they sit, making it even tastier. Allow to come to room temperature before serving if chilled.
Step-by-Step Recipe for Easy Sesame Peanut Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 pound of noodles (spaghetti, soba, udon, ramen, or rice noodles)
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup tahini or sesame paste
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch ginger, minced
- 1 tsp chili garlic paste or sriracha, or to taste
- 1/4 cup of warm water
- Toppings like shredded carrots, bell peppers, peanuts, cilantro, etc.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and briefly rinse with cold water.
- Whisk together the peanut butter, tahini, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili paste in a large bowl. Thin with warm water until a pourable sauce is formed.
- Add the cooked noodles and toss to coat evenly. Then add any toppings and mix again.
- Serve the sesame peanut noodles warm or chill them in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Hi, I’m Julie, the passionate foodie and founder of Juliesfamilykitchen.com. I created this blog out of a drive to prove someone wrong, and then I realized how much I truly enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. In my free time, when I’m not running around after my kids or spending quality time with my partner, you can usually find me in the kitchen experimenting with new dishes.