Creamy Peanut Sauce Rice Noodles

I love using peanut butter as an ingredient because it is so versatile. It adds creaminess and tons of flavours to both sweet and savoury recipes!

Currently, my go-to weeknight dinner is this peanut sauce rice noodles. I like to pair it with eggplant tofu stir-fry or vegan tom kha for a simple and satisfying meal. If I have extra time, I like making fresh Thai rolls or vegan wontons to serve as a side with this noodle dish.

💚Why you will love this recipe 

• Creamy, delicious, and incredibly flavorful 
• A 10-minute recipe that is super easy to prepare 
• Highly customizable to suit your taste and diet preference 
• Paired with a versatile peanut sauce - batch make it and use it in stir-fries, as a dressing for salads and Buddha bowls, or as a dip 

🍜What you will need 

📃Ingredients notes and substitutions 

• Rice noodles - You can use any kind of rice noodles. Pad Thai noodles or wide rice noodles (used in pad see ew) are my go-to. You can also use other noodles like soba, ramen, or linguine. 
• Peanut butter - You can use crunchy or smooth, depending on your preference. 
• Soy sauce - This can be substituted with shoyu or tamari. Use a certified gluten-free brand (like the Kikoman’s soy sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free. 
• Sugar - Any granulated sweetener will work in this recipe. 
• Sriracha - can be substituted with sambal oelek. Feel free to omit to make this recipe less spicy. 

✅Helpful tips 

• Do not overcook noodles - Noodles should be al dente and have a slight bite to them. Noodles that are too soft will turn mushy and clump together easily. 
• Taste and adjust the sauce - Give it a taste before adding to the noodles. Add more soy sauce for saltiness, vinegar for tanginess, sugar for sweetness, etc. 
• Serve it warm - If you prefer your peanut sauce rice noodles to be hot, heat it in a pan on a stove or in the microwave. You might need to add a splash of water to loosen the noodles. 
• Batch-make peanut sauce - You can double or even triple the ingredients for peanut sauce! Besides adding it to noodles, you can also use the sauce in stir-fries, as a dressing for salads and rice bowls, and as a dip for rice paper rolls or tofu dumplings. 
• Storing leftover -Leftover peanut noodles can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or a pan before serving, or enjoy them cold. If the noodles are clumpy, add a splash of water to loosen them up.

✨Variations and add-ins 

Make it spice-free - Omit chili flakes and sriracha. 

Vegetables - To enhance this dish's nutritional value and fiber content, you can add vegetables of your choice, such as red bell pepper, mushrooms, baby corn, carrot, or peas. Before adding the vegetables to the noodles, sauté them lightly. 

Additionally, it is recommended to double the quantity of the peanut sauce and adjust it according to your taste.

Protein - Add seared chicken breast, grilled shrimp, or a plant-based protein like tofu, tempeh, or seitan to the noodles. Sliced omelette or tofu omelette is another excellent addition for vegetarians.

Switch up the flavors -Instead of peanut butter, try tahini or cashew butter for a different flavor profile. You can also experiment with different seasonings, like hoisin sauce and oyster sauce.

🥘Serving suggestions 

• Toppings - for additional texture and flavor, top your peanut sauce rice noodles with toppings of choice, like chopped peanuts, scallions, toasted sesame seeds, lime wedges, or fresh cilantro. 
• Asian main dishes - As mentioned above, any Asian mains will pair beautifully with this dish! I personally love serving it with my green beans tofu stir-fry and lemongrass tofu. 
• Vegetable side dishes - For a lighter meal, pair noodles with refreshing vegetable dishes such as this spicy Asian cucumber salad, okra stir-fry, or Chinese eggplant. 
• Dessert - End your meal with a warm bowl of black glutinous rice dessert or a sweet mung bean soup for a comforting treat!

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