Description
Peanut Butter Noodles are a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring tender rice noodles coated in a creamy, tangy peanut sauce with a hint of spice. Tossed with sautéed bell peppers and carrots, and garnished with fresh cilantro, crunchy peanuts, and green onions, this meal is a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz. rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil (divided)
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1/3 cup carrots, julienned
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (e.g., Frank’s)
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup roughly chopped peanuts
- 2-3 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large measuring cup with a spout, combine all sauce ingredients except the peanut butter. Ensure the ingredients are cool or at room temperature to prevent prematurely activating the cornstarch. Stir well, then mix in the peanut butter until combined. Set the sauce aside; the peanut butter will incorporate fully when heated.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil the rice noodles following the package directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Toss the noodles with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to coat evenly and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables and Combine: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red bell pepper strips and julienned carrots, cooking for about 3 minutes while stirring frequently until slightly tender. Add the prepared sauce to the skillet and bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, then add the cooked rice noodles. Toss everything together to evenly coat the noodles with the sauce and heat through thoroughly.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh cilantro, roughly chopped peanuts, and sliced green onions for garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy, flavorful peanut butter noodles.
Notes
- Alternative noodle options include spaghetti or udon noodles if rice noodles are unavailable.
- Adjust sriracha amount based on desired spice level.
- Vegetarian version can be made by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure soy sauce used is gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
