Spicy Peanut Thai Noodle Stir Fry
Quick stir-fried rice noodles tossed in a creamy, spicy peanut sauce with crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs. This thai-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs rice noodles, peanut butter, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
- 1 large, julienned carrot
- 3, sliced green onions
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup for garnish crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes until pliable; drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup peanut butter, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp sriracha until smooth.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 medium julienned red bell pepper and 1 large julienned carrot, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Toss in the drained rice noodles and pour the peanut sauce over them. Stir-fry everything together for 2-3 minutes until noodles are evenly coated and heated through.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 3 sliced green onions and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve garnished with 1/4 cup crushed peanuts for crunch.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Peanut Thai Noodle Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spicy Peanut Thai Noodle Stir Fry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Peanut Thai Noodle Stir Fry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spicy Peanut Thai Noodle Stir Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spicy Peanut Thai Noodle Stir Fry?
Thai pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
