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The Best Creamy Peanut Noodles (Easy 20-Minute Recipe!)

A beautiful bowl of homemade, healthy Peanut Noodles being enjoyed with chopsticks for a vibrant and healthy lunch.

A refreshing and easy recipe for a cold peanut noodle bowl. This dish features cooked udon or rice noodles tossed in a creamy, homemade peanut sauce. The noodles are then topped with a variety of fresh, crunchy ingredients including julienned cucumber and carrot, strips of extra-firm tofu, and a mix of fresh herbs like mint and cilantro. The entire dish is served chilled, making it a perfect light yet satisfying meal.

Ingredients

  • For the Peanut Sauce (inferred):
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2-4 tablespoons hot water, to thin
  • For the Noodle Bowl:
  • 8 ounces dried udon or rice noodles
  • 1 tablespoon tamari
  • ½ English cucumber, julienned
  • 1 medium carrot, julienned
  • 7 ounces extra-firm tofu, cut into thin strips
  • Fresh mint, cilantro, and/or basil leaves, for garnish
  • Crushed peanuts or sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Sriracha, for serving

Instructions

  1. Note: The recipe for the Peanut Sauce was not provided in the source article and has been inferred.
  2. Make the Peanut Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, tamari, maple syrup, rice vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Whisk in hot water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to the package directions until al dente.
  4. Drain the noodles and rinse them well under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from clumping.
  5. In a large bowl, toss the cooled noodles with the prepared peanut sauce and 1 tablespoon of tamari until well coated.
  6. Divide the sauced noodles into four bowls.
  7. Top the noodles with the julienned cucumber, carrot, and strips of tofu.
  8. Garnish with a generous amount of fresh herbs and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts or sesame seeds.
  9. Serve with sriracha on the side for extra heat.

Notes

  • Rinsing the cooked noodles thoroughly in cold water is a crucial step to remove the surface starch, which prevents them from becoming gummy.
  • This is an excellent dish for meal prep; the sauce, cooked noodles, and chopped vegetables can all be stored separately in the refrigerator and assembled just before serving.
  • This recipe is vegan and can be made gluten-free by using rice noodles and tamari.