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- Cuisine: Asian
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 2-3
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and simple: Ready in 15 minutes for any hectic day.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice and sweetness to your taste.
- Nutritious: Made with ingredients like tahini and rice noodles.
- Minimal cleanup: Just one pan required.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp tahini butter: Adds a rich, nutty flavor. Use peanut butter as a substitute if needed.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce: Provides the salty umami foundation. Choose low-sodium if you prefer.
- 2 tsp sesame oil: Enhances the dish with a toasted, aromatic depth.
- 2 tsp rice vinegar: Balances the flavors with acidity. Substitute with apple cider vinegar if unavailable.
- 1 tbsp honey (can sub maple syrup): Balances the savory with a touch of sweetness.
- 1 tsp sriracha: Delivers heat and complexity. Adjust to taste.
- 2 tbsp water: Helps achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- 1/2 pack rice noodles (approx 7oz): Forms the base of the dish. Cook to your preferred texture.
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (can sub vegetable oil): For sautéing; avocado oil has a high smoke point.
- 2 scallions, chopped: Adds freshness and a mild onion flavor.
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped: Infuses the dish with a robust, savory aroma.
- 2–4 tbsp water: Ensures the noodles stay moist and helps incorporate the sauce.
- Sesame seeds to top (optional): Adds a subtle crunch and extra flavor.
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare the Sesame Sauce
In a medium bowl, mix the tahini, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, sriracha, and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir until smooth. This sauce will provide the dish with its signature nutty and savory flavor. Set it aside for use later.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
Cook the rice noodles according to the package directions, but leave them slightly undercooked. This technique ensures they absorb the flavors in the pan without becoming mushy.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
Heat the avocado oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped scallions and garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until aromatic, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn by stirring frequently.
Step 4: Combine Noodles and Sauce
Lower the heat to medium and add the semi-cooked noodles and prepared sesame sauce to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to coat the noodles evenly. Add 2-4 tablespoons of water as needed to prevent sticking and to help the sauce emulsify.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Transfer the noodles to serving bowls and top with sesame seeds and additional scallions if desired. Serve immediately while warm for the best texture and flavor profile.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different type of noodles?
Absolutely. While rice noodles are recommended for their texture and quick cooking time, you can use any noodles you have on hand, like soba or even spaghetti. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How can I make this dish vegan?
Simply substitute the honey with an equal amount of maple syrup or agave syrup to keep the flavor profile intact while making the dish completely plant-based.
What can I add for extra protein?
If you’re looking to enrich the dish with protein, consider adding cooked chicken, tofu, or shrimp during Step 4. Be sure they’re cooked fully before mixing with the noodles.
Easy Sesame Noodles (15 Minutes, Better Than Takeout!)
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp tahini butter: Adds a rich nutty flavor. Use peanut butter as a substitute if needed.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce: Provides the salty umami foundation. Choose low-sodium if you prefer.
- 2 tsp sesame oil: Enhances the dish with a toasted aromatic depth.
- 2 tsp rice vinegar: Balances the flavors with acidity. Substitute with apple cider vinegar if unavailable.
- 1 tbsp honey can sub maple syrup: Balances the savory with a touch of sweetness.
- 1 tsp sriracha: Delivers heat and complexity. Adjust to taste.
- 2 tbsp water: Helps achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- 1/2 pack rice noodles approx 7oz: Forms the base of the dish. Cook to your preferred texture.
- 1 tbsp avocado oil can sub vegetable oil: For sautéing; avocado oil has a high smoke point.
- 2 scallions chopped: Adds freshness and a mild onion flavor.
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped: Infuses the dish with a robust, savory aroma.
- 2 –4 tbsp water: Ensures the noodles stay moist and helps incorporate the sauce.
- Sesame seeds to top optional: Adds a subtle crunch and extra flavor.
Instructions
- Prepare the Sesame Sauce
- In a medium bowl, mix the tahini, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, sriracha, and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir until smooth. This sauce will provide the dish with its signature nutty and savory flavor. Set it aside for use later.
- Cook the Noodles
- Cook the rice noodles according to the package directions, but leave them slightly undercooked. This technique ensures they absorb the flavors in the pan without becoming mushy.
- Sauté Aromatics
- Heat the avocado oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped scallions and garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until aromatic, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn by stirring frequently.
- Combine Noodles and Sauce
- Lower the heat to medium and add the semi-cooked noodles and prepared sesame sauce to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to coat the noodles evenly. Add 2-4 tablespoons of water as needed to prevent sticking and to help the sauce emulsify.
- Serve and Garnish
- Transfer the noodles to serving bowls and top with sesame seeds and additional scallions if desired. Serve immediately while warm for the best texture and flavor profile.
Notes
- Undercook the noodles slightly: Pull them just before al dente — they’ll finish cooking in the pan with the sauce and absorb the flavor beautifully without going mushy.
- Sauce consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches a pourable consistency before adding to the pan.
- Don’t burn the garlic: Keep the heat at medium-high and stir constantly — burnt garlic will make the whole dish bitter.
- Sesame oil: Use toasted sesame oil for the deepest, most authentic flavor. Regular sesame oil is much milder.
- Heat level: The sriracha adds mild heat — double it for a spicy version or leave it out entirely for kids.
- Add protein: Cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu can be added in Step 4 — make sure they’re fully cooked before mixing with the noodles.
- Storage: Best served fresh. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 2 days — reheat in a skillet with a splash of water.