These Chinese-style peanut butter noodles are an easy, flavorful dish perfect for lunch or dinner. A savory-sweet peanut sauce with a touch of heat and citrus brings a fresh Asian-inspired twist to simple pasta.
The kids went from skeptical to obsessed the first time I served these. The combination of orange juice and peanut butter sounded odd to them at first, but once they tried the sauce they were hooked.
The sauce delivers a pleasing balance: sweet, savory, a little spicy and a little tangy, all ready in roughly the same time it takes to cook the pasta. It’s an excellent weeknight option when you want something quick but satisfying.
Ingredients
For this recipe you will need:
- Noodles – Fettuccine or linguine work well; wide rice noodles are a good alternative.
- Orange juice – Any variety you have on hand.
- Peanut butter – Crunchy natural peanut butter gives texture; smooth works if preferred.
- Soy sauce – Use low-sodium if you want less salt.
- White vinegar
- Brown sugar – Light or dark both work.
- Hot chili sauce – Sriracha or similar; adjust for spice level.
- Lime – Fresh lime juice brightens the sauce.
- Oil – A light-colored oil for stir-frying the onion and garlic.
- Sweet onion – Sliced.
- Garlic – One clove, minced.
How to Make
These peanut butter noodles are quick and straightforward:
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, whisk together orange juice, peanut butter, soy sauce, white vinegar, brown sugar, hot chili sauce and lime juice until smooth. Set the sauce aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add the sliced onion and minced garlic and stir-fry until the onion is cooked but still slightly firm.
- Add the drained al dente noodles to the skillet and stir-fry for about 2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Pour the peanut sauce over the noodles and toss until all the pasta is evenly coated. Fold and mix over heat for about a minute to warm the sauce through.
- Serve with extra soy, ponzu, or lime wedges as desired. Enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
The noodles are hearty on their own, but you can bulk them up with:
- Stir-fried or steamed vegetables
- Grilled or shredded chicken
- Sautéed shrimp
- Pork or steak strips
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The sauce will thicken when chilled; thin it with a little water before reheating. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through.
Tips and Tricks
- Customize the heat by increasing or decreasing the chili sauce. Extra garlic also boosts flavor.
- If you don’t have crunchy peanut butter but want texture, sprinkle crushed or chopped peanuts on top.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and sliced green onions for more freshness and color.
Other Easy Asian-Inspired Noodle Ideas
If you enjoy these peanut butter noodles, try other simple Asian-inspired noodle dishes for variety. They’re great for rotating through weeknight meals and are easy to adapt with whatever protein or vegetables you have on hand.
Chinese Peanut Butter Noodles
Ingredients
- ½ lb fettuccine noodles
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup crunchy peanut butter
- 2½ tbs soy sauce
- 2 tbs white vinegar
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- ½ tsp hot chili sauce
- squeeze a wedge or two of lime juice into sauce
- 1 tsp oil
- ¼ cup sweet onions, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
-
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine until al dente.
-
While the pasta cooks, whisk together orange juice, peanut butter, soy sauce, white vinegar, brown sugar, hot chili sauce and lime juice until smooth.
-
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic and stir-fry until the onion is tender but still slightly firm. Add the drained noodles and stir-fry for about 2 minutes.
-
Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss to coat. Cook for another minute, folding the pasta so the sauce is evenly distributed.
-
Serve with a splash of soy or ponzu, or lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- Adjust spice by varying the chili sauce amount or adding more garlic.
- Top with chopped peanuts if you want crunch but only have smooth peanut butter.
- Garnish with cilantro and sliced green onions for extra flavor and color.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from Mom Foodie