Description
These Spicy Peanut Noodles with Cucumber are a delightful, flavor-packed dish that combines the richness of peanut butter with a spicy kick. Tossed with tender noodles, crunchy cucumber, and a savory, slightly tangy dressing, this dish is perfect as a main or side for any meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, dinner, or a tasty meal prep option, these noodles are sure to satisfy!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Noodles:
- 8 oz rice noodles or your choice of noodles (soba, udon, or spaghetti)
- 1 medium cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
For the Spicy Peanut Sauce:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2–3 tablespoons warm water (to thin the sauce)
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles:
Cook the rice noodles (or noodles of choice) according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside. - Make the Spicy Peanut Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or maple syrup), sriracha, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Gradually add 2-3 tablespoons of warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a creamy and pourable consistency. - Prepare the Cucumber:
While the noodles are cooking, julienne or thinly slice the cucumber. Set aside. - Assemble the Dish:
In a large bowl, toss the cooked noodles with the spicy peanut sauce until the noodles are well-coated. Add the cucumber and toss gently to combine. - Garnish and Serve:
Garnish with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 days for a cold noodle salad.
Notes
- For extra protein, you can add grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp.
- You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less sriracha, depending on your taste preference.
- If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute.
- This dish is perfect for meal prep and can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-7 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Salad, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free noodles)
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired, Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup of noodles)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0g