Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe

If you’re craving something bold, creamy, and deliciously satisfying, these Thai Peanut Noodles absolutely deliver. Packed with zesty ginger, aromatic garlic, a luscious peanut sauce, and fresh toppings, this 20-minute meal is guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite—and trust me, you won’t believe how easy it is to whip up authentic flavors in your own kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Thai Peanut Noodles come together with simple, familiar ingredients, and each one has a special role—think nutty richness, savory umami, bright pops of freshness, and the perfect balance of heat. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few helpful tips along the way:

• Linguine noodles or Asian-style noodles (8 ounces): Either classic linguine or your favorite Asian noodles work; rice noodles or soba are especially great for a more authentic twist.
• Chicken or vegetable broth (½ cup): This creates a silky, flavorful base for the luscious peanut sauce.
• Ginger (1½ tablespoons finely minced, or ¼ teaspoon dried): Fresh ginger brings a punchy, aromatic zing you’ll notice in every bite.
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced or pressed): Essential for a robust, savory foundation—use fresh for maximum flavor!
• Soy sauce (3 tablespoons): Adds deep umami and lovely saltiness to balance out the creamy peanut butter.
• Peanut butter (3 tablespoons, creamy): The star ingredient! This gives the sauce its dreamy texture and rich flavor; add another spoonful if you adore extra peanutty goodness.
• Honey (1½ tablespoons): A touch of sweetness softens and harmonizes all the bold flavors.
• Sriracha sauce (1–2 teaspoons, optional): Provides a spicy kick; start with less and let everyone customize their own bowl.
• Green onions (1 bunch, chopped): These are bright, crunchy, and add a beautiful pop of color.
• Cilantro (½ cup, chopped): A fresh, herby accent that turns each bite into pure joy.
• Limes (2, cut into quarters): Adds that much-needed tang—don’t skip the squeeze on top!
• Peanuts (¼ cup, chopped): For crunch, extra nuttiness, and visual appeal.
• Optional: Chili crisp oil, extra Sriracha, shrimp, grilled chicken, or steak: Go wild with toppings to make every bowl uniquely yours.

Variations

Thai Peanut Noodles are incredibly forgiving and wide open for customization—so feel free to play with flavors, proteins, and veggies to suit your mood or whatever you have on hand. Here are a few of my favorite variations:

• Swap Your Protein: Use tofu, shrimp, grilled chicken, or even crispy chickpeas to add protein and variety!
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Choose gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce and use rice noodles for a completely gluten-free dish.
• Add Veggies: Boost nutrition and color by tossing in shredded carrots, bell pepper strips, snap peas, or baby spinach while mixing the noodles.
• Alternative Nut Butters: Try almond butter or cashew butter for a different flavor spin while still keeping those creamy vibes.

How to Make Thai Peanut Noodles

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and add in your noodles. Whether you go traditional with linguine or use Asian-style noodles, cook them until just tender according to package instructions. If you’re using pre-cooked noodles, you’ll simply warm them with the sauce later—easy peasy!

Step 2: Prep the Fresh Ingredients

While the noodles work their magic, peel and mince your ginger and garlic, chop up the green onions and cilantro, slice the limes, and give those peanuts a rough chop. Having everything prepped means you can toss it all together at the perfect moment and nothing gets overcooked or soggy.

Step 3: Make the Peanut Sauce

In a saucepan, combine your broth, minced ginger and garlic, soy sauce, creamy peanut butter, honey, and sriracha (if using). For extra depth, I love sautéing the garlic and ginger in a bit of oil for one minute before adding the rest—but if you’re in a rush, just toss it all in together! Cook on medium-low, whisking constantly until the sauce is smooth, glossy, and just slightly thickened (about 2–3 minutes). If you want it extra peanutty, add another spoonful of peanut butter—it’s hard to resist!

Step 4: Combine Noodles and Sauce

Drain your cooked noodles well and return them to their warm pot. Pour the luscious peanut sauce straight over the top while everything’s still piping hot. Use tongs to toss, making sure every single noodle is gloriously coated. If you’ve added veggies, now’s the time to stir them in as well. Adjust with a splash of broth if the noodles look too thick.

Step 5: Top and Serve

Divide your saucy Thai Peanut Noodles into bowls. Shower generously with chopped green onions, cilantro, and peanuts. Finish with fresh lime juice, extra sriracha, or a drizzle of chili crisp oil. For a heartier meal, nestle in your chosen protein—and get ready for noodle bliss!

How to Serve Thai Peanut Noodles

Garnishes

Authentic Thai Peanut Noodles are all about the toppings—crunchy chopped peanuts, tons of bright green cilantro, sliced green onions, and plenty of juicy lime wedges for squeezing over right before eating. For a little extra excitement, pass chili crisp oil or extra sriracha so everyone can dress their noodles just how they like.

Side Dishes

This dish is already loaded with flavor, but it pairs beautifully with super simple sides. Try a crisp Thai cucumber salad, garlicky roasted broccoli, or some quick-pickled carrot ribbons. If you’re serving a crowd, consider offering fresh spring rolls or a light miso soup to round out the meal without weighing everyone down.

Creative Ways to Present

For entertaining or just a little weeknight fun, I love serving Thai Peanut Noodles in big, shallow bowls with all the toppings piled artfully on the side—let everyone mix and match. Or, serve family-style on a platter and let people build their own bowl. Mini individual bowls or takeout-style boxes make adorable party options, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Thai Peanut Noodles store well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. The sauce does thicken up as it sits, but the flavors deepen and mellow in the most wonderful way!

Freezing

While you can freeze the peanut sauce on its own, the noodles can become a bit mushy after freezing and thawing. For best results, freeze just the sauce, then cook fresh noodles to toss together when you want to serve.

Reheating

To reheat, splash a bit of hot water or broth over the noodles and warm them gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring often. This restores the sauce’s silky texture and makes your leftovers taste freshly made.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the mood for something cozy, cravable, and packed with vibrant flavor (with barely any cleanup!), these Thai Peanut Noodles deliver every single time. Give this recipe a whirl and let it become your new weeknight go-to—I can’t wait for you to taste just how delicious homemade peanut noodles truly are!

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