Spicy Peanut Noodles (Printable)

Creamy noodles tossed in a spicy peanut sauce with fresh veggies and zesty lime for a vibrant meal.

# What You Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 12 oz dried rice noodles or spaghetti

→ Peanut Sauce

02 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
03 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
04 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
05 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
06 - 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
07 - 2–3 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
10 - 1/4 cup warm water, plus more as needed

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

11 - 1 cup shredded carrots
12 - 1 cup thinly sliced bell pepper
13 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
14 - 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
15 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
16 - Lime wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Prepare noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water; set aside.
02 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, sriracha, garlic, ginger, and warm water until smooth. Adjust with additional water for desired consistency.
03 - In a large bowl, toss the noodles with shredded carrots and bell pepper. Pour the peanut sauce over and mix until evenly coated.
04 - Divide noodles among bowls. Top with scallions, roasted peanuts, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
05 - Serve immediately warm or refrigerate for a chilled preparation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in 25 minutes total, which means you can go from hungry to satisfied faster than most phone orders would arrive.
  • The sauce hits that perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and tangy—three things that make you want another bowl immediately.
  • You probably have most of the ingredients already, so it turns into a recipe you actually make, not one you save for someday.
02 -
  • The sauce will thicken as it cools, so when you first mix it, it should be a bit looser than you think it needs to be—this is the hardest-won lesson I have for you.
  • Don't skip the ice-cold water rinse on the noodles after boiling; warm noodles will turn to mush when you toss them with sauce, and that's not what you want.
  • Sriracha brands vary wildly in heat level, so taste your sauce before serving and adjust the spice to your preference—there's no shame in adding more sauce after the fact.
03 -
  • Whisk the peanut sauce in a separate bowl before adding it to the noodles—this ensures everything is evenly coated rather than some noodles drowning and others staying dry.
  • Toast your own peanuts or use the kind from the bulk bin; the fresher they are, the more they contribute to the final dish.
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