These Simple Spicy Noodles are a quick and easy dish that will excite your taste buds. Tender noodles tossed in an umami sauce with some heat, you'll love serving this with veggies and protein.
You will love these Simple Spicy Noodles because they are easy to make and are incredibly versatile. You can eat them as is, or pair them with soups and salads. Or top them with vegetables, tofu, or nuts. There are so many great ways to tweak this tasty and simple dish. But I love it just as is with some cilantro and scallions on top for a fresh finish.
The noodles are perfect for absorbing the reduced sauce, which we make with sweet, salty, spicy, and umami flavored ingredients. You can adjust the heat level to your preference, so even your spice-sensitive family members can enjoy it! Now let's talk about what you'll be using to prepare these deliciously simple spicy noodles.
Video Tutorial
What you'll need
- Lo Mein Noodles. Ramen noodles can be used instead.
- Vegan Butter. Use your favorite brand. Avocado oil can also be used.
- Soy Sauce. Regular or reduced sodium.
- Brown Sugar.
- Sriracha. Use more or less depending on your personal preference.
- Cilantro.
- Scallion.
How to make these Spicy Noodles
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil for the noodles. Once boiling, add the noodles and cook until tender. Drain the noodles in a colander, rinse with cold water, and then set aside.
2. While the noodles are cooking, make the sauce by whisking together the soy sauce, brown sugar, and sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the noodles. Pour the sauce on top. Cook until the noodles are hot and the sauce has been reduced.
4. Top the noodles with fresh cilantro and sliced green onion, then serve.
Tips for the best Simple Spicy Noodles
- Don't overcook the noodles. Depending on how tender you like them, cook the noodles just enough, or a little under. They will cook more as they heat with the sauce and you don't want them mushy.
- Rinse them with cold water. This trick will stop the cooking process so the noodles don't continue to cook while they sit awaiting the sauce. It also rinses away starch that could make them gummy.
- Reduce the sauce. By heating the sauce, we are letting some of the water evaporate so the thicker sauce will adhere to the noodles. You don't want all that deliciousness sliding right off!
- Toss the noodles. Doing this will help evenly distribute the sauce over all the noodles and separate each one so there aren't any clumps. Make sure to move the ones on the bottom so they don't burn.
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Substitute other noodles. You can make this dish with ramen noodles as well. But in a pinch, any noodle can work, including flat noodles like fettucine, soba noodles, or gluten-free rice noodles.
- Add seeds. Try this recipe with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, or poppy seeds.
- Make it spicier. You can add fresh ginger and garlic, red chili peppers, or try it with some gochujang, which is a Korean chili paste. Or just add extra Sriracha to your sauce.
- Add nuts. Try these Simple Spicy Noodles with peanuts, walnuts, or cashews. You can use raw or roasted nuts, but be careful of salted ones as the sauce has its own salty flavor.
How to Store
Store these Simple Spicy Noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in a skillet on the stove top or in the microwave. If the sauce has fully absorbed into the noodles, you can add a little more to moisten them as desired.
What to Serve with it
- Protein. Add some diced tofu, nuts, or plant-based "meat." You can serve it with Quick Maple Sriracha Tofu, Eggplant "Meatballs," or seitan.
- Vegetables. Top these noodles with Simple Sautéed Vegetables, Roasted Broccoli, or serve them with Vegetable Skewers.
- Soup. You can serve soup on the side or add delicious broth to these Simple Spicy Noodles to make the dish itself into a soup. Serve it with Red Lentil Soup, Cabbage Soup, or Creamy Broccoli Soup.
- Salad. Cool your mouth off with a fresh salad, like this Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad, Iceberg Lettuce Salad, Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad, or Simple Avocado Salad.
I hope you love these Simple Spicy Noodles as much as I do. They are filling and flavorful, with the perfect amount of spicy umami sauce. They make a great main course for dinner, or just enjoy them as is for a light meal anytime.
More tasty vegan recipes:
Simple Spicy Noodles
Video Tutorial
Ingredients
- 8 oz. lo mein noodles
- 2 tbsp. vegan butter
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1-2 tbsp. sriracha
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped scallion
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil for the noodles. Once boiling, add the noodles and cook until tender. Drain the noodles in a colander, rinse with cold water, and then set aside.
- While the noodles are cooking, make the sauce by whisking together the soy sauce, brown sugar, and sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the noodles. Pour the sauce on top. Cook until the noodles are hot and the sauce has been reduced.
- Top the noodles with fresh cilantro and sliced green onion, then serve.
Notes
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Substitute other noodles. You can make this dish with ramen noodles as well. But in a pinch, any noodle can work, including flat noodles like fettucine, soba noodles, or gluten-free rice noodles.
- Add seeds. Try this recipe with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, or poppy seeds.
- Make it spicier. You can add fresh ginger and garlic, red chili peppers, or try it with some gochujang, which is a Korean chili paste. Or just add extra Sriracha to your sauce.
- Add nuts. Try these Simple Spicy Noodles with peanuts, walnuts, or cashews. You can use raw or roasted nuts, but be careful of salted ones as the sauce has its own salty flavor.
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