Garlic Sesame Noodles are a quick, savory, and satisfying meal packed with toasted sesame flavor, golden garlic, and a creamy tahini sauce. Brown rice noodles soak up the rich, slightly sweet and spicy sauce beautifully, making this an easy garlic noodles recipe for busy lunches or weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These sesame garlic noodles deliver plenty of flavor without requiring complicated ingredients or techniques. The combination of fresh garlic, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, tahini, and a touch of honey creates a creamy, savory sauce with just the right balance of sweetness and heat.
They’re also easy to customize for the whole family. Keep the sriracha mild for younger eaters, add extra chili for spicy sesame noodles, or toss in vegetables and your favorite halal-friendly protein for a more substantial meal.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces brown rice noodles
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Sliced scallions, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
- Crushed peanuts, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the brown rice noodles according to the package directions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- While the noodles cook, mince the garlic very finely.
- Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and sauté gently until fragrant and lightly golden around the edges. Avoid letting it burn.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, vegetable broth, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, tahini, sriracha, and ground ginger. Continue whisking until smooth.
- Pour the sesame sauce into the skillet with the golden garlic. Stir well and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the cooked noodles and toss thoroughly until every strand is coated. These Garlic Sesame Noodles should look glossy and evenly covered in the creamy sesame garlic sauce.
- Remove from the heat and serve warm with sliced scallions, red pepper flakes, and crushed peanuts.
Tips & Tricks
Cook brown rice noodles only until tender, since overcooking can make them soft or sticky. If your noodles finish before the sauce, rinse them briefly as directed by the package and keep them from sitting in a clump.
Keep the heat moderate when sautéing the garlic. Golden garlic adds a mellow, aromatic flavor, while burnt garlic can make the entire sauce bitter.
For extra-creamy tahini noodles, add another teaspoon or two of tahini. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of vegetable broth or warm water.
For a milder family-friendly version, reduce or omit the sriracha and red pepper flakes. For spicy sesame noodles, increase them according to taste.
Tamari is an excellent alternative to soy sauce. If gluten-free preparation is important, check that the tamari, sriracha, broth, and all other packaged ingredients are specifically labeled gluten-free.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, dairy-free, halal-friendly; can be gluten-free with certified gluten-free ingredients
Notes
Maple syrup can replace honey for a fully plant-based version. You can also use regular rice noodles if brown rice noodles aren’t available.
Turn this Asian noodle recipe into a heartier dinner by adding sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, edamame, or bok choy. Halal-certified chicken or beef also pairs well with the sesame garlic sauce.
For serving, add fresh scallions and crushed peanuts just before eating to provide freshness and crunch.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fat: 20 g
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the noodles, soy sauce, tahini, garnishes, and other brands used.
FAQ
What do Garlic Sesame Noodles taste like?
They have a rich combination of savory, nutty, garlicky, slightly sweet, and gently spicy flavors. Tahini gives the sauce extra creaminess while toasted sesame oil provides its distinctive nutty aroma.
Can I make sesame garlic noodles less spicy?
Yes. Reduce the sriracha to 1 teaspoon or leave it out completely. Skip the red pepper flakes as well for a mild, family-friendly version.
Can I use regular noodles instead of brown rice noodles?
Yes. Rice noodles and other noodles that hold sauce well can work in this recipe. Cooking times will vary, so follow the package instructions.
Can I make these garlic noodles gluten-free?
Brown rice noodles are often naturally gluten-free, but always check the package. Use certified gluten-free tamari instead of conventional soy sauce and verify that the remaining packaged ingredients are gluten-free.
What can I add to sesame garlic noodles?
Broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers, bok choy, edamame, and green onions are all delicious additions. For extra protein, try halal-certified chicken or beef.
Can I make the sesame sauce ahead of time?
Yes. Whisk the sauce ingredients together and refrigerate them in an airtight container. Stir or whisk the sauce again before cooking, as the tahini may thicken while chilled.
Storage
Store leftover noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
For longer storage, freeze cooled noodles in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. The noodle texture may become slightly softer after thawing.
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Add a small splash of water or vegetable broth to loosen the sauce as needed.
Similar Recipes
Garlic Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
- 12 ounces brown rice noodles
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 6 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Sliced scallions for garnish
- Red pepper flakes for garnish
- Crushed peanuts for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the brown rice noodles according to the package directions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- While the noodles cook, mince the garlic very finely.
- Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and sauté gently until fragrant and lightly golden around the edges. Avoid letting it burn.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, vegetable broth, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, tahini, sriracha, and ground ginger. Continue whisking until smooth.
- Pour the sesame sauce into the skillet with the golden garlic. Stir well and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the cooked noodles and toss thoroughly until every strand is coated. These Garlic Sesame Noodles should look glossy and evenly covered in the creamy sesame garlic sauce.
- Remove from the heat and serve warm with sliced scallions, red pepper flakes, and crushed peanuts.
Notes
Conclusion
These Garlic Sesame Noodles turn simple pantry ingredients into a flavorful meal in about 25 minutes. The creamy tahini, toasted sesame oil, fresh garlic, and savory sauce make every bite rich and satisfying, while the customizable heat level keeps the recipe approachable for the whole family.
Whether you need an easy weeknight dinner or a simple Asian-inspired noodle recipe, this is a versatile dish worth keeping in your regular rotation.