Sesame Peanut Noodles

Make a big batch of these nutty, sweet, and soy saucy noodles and enjoy them cold for a quick lunch over a few days. It’s the best make-ahead recipe for your back pocket!

By
Hannah Zimmerman
Hannah Zimmerman
Hannah Zimmerman

Hannah Zimmerman is a self-taught home cook and lover of all things food. She founded Bite Sized Studio in 2018, a creative agency specializing in food photography and recipe development. Her work has been featured in publications including Forbes, Eater, and Simply Recipes.

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Updated December 09, 2022
Hannah Zimmerman
Plates of Sesame Peanut Noodles Next to a Small Bowls of Sesame Seeds and Green Onions

Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

Cold sesame noodles are my go-to order at a local Szechuan restaurant, so I was so excited to find an easy way to make them at home. My version of sesame peanut noodles comes together in just 20 minutes—perfect for a weeknight dinner—and requires minimal pantry ingredients. The sauce bursts with nutty, sweet, and salty flavor. It makes a great side dish, but you can also add any protein and serve it as a main course!

Soba Noodles Are My Favorite

I like to use soba noodles in this recipe. They are chewy and have an earthy flavor which perfectly complements the peanut butter and sesame dressing.  If you can’t find soba noodles, rice noodles and egg noodles are also great options!

Bowl of Quick and Easy Sesame Peanut Noodles

Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

Two Simple Tips

This recipe is easy and straightforward, but here are two things to watch out for: 

  • I prefer natural peanut butter because it contains no additives or sweeteners; the only ingredients are peanuts and salt. Natural peanut butter has a more liquidy texture than conventional peanut butter, so it will blend more easily into the sauce.
  • Toss the cooked noodles with sesame oil immediately after rinsing and draining them. This will make sure the noodles don’t stick to each other.
Quick and Easy Sesame Peanut Noodles on a Plate with a Fork

Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

Easy Swaps and Variations

One reason why I love this recipe is because it is easy to customize for different flavor preferences and dietary requirements.  Here are some ways that you can change it up:

  • If you want to give your noodles a kick, add a tablespoon of chili oil or Sriracha to the sauce.
  • If you have a peanut allergy, you can swap the peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
  • To make this recipe vegan, swap the honey for maple syrup.
  • If you do not have any rice vinegar on hand, white wine vinegar or apple cider will work in its place.

Serve Sesame Peanut Noodles Cold

These noodles are best served cold, which is GREAT because you don’t need to reheat them if you end up with leftovers. I like to garnish them with sesame seeds and sliced green onion, and serve them with steamed vegetables, like broccoli, bok choy, and zucchini.

Make-Ahead Tips

The noodles and sauce can be made ahead of time and stored separately in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 3 days.  When you are ready to serve, add a tablespoon of warm water to the peanut sesame sauce to thin it out, then toss the noodles and sauce together. There is no need to reheat it—it’s best served cold!

Plates of Sesame Peanut Noodles Next to a Small Bowls of Sesame Seeds and Green Onions

Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

The Savory Side of Peanut Butter

Sesame Peanut Noodles

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dry soba, rice, or egg noodles

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided

  • 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 1 clove garlic, grated

  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

  • 1 green onion, sliced, for garnish (optional)

Method

  1. Cook the noodles:

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the noodles and cook following package instructions. Drain into a colander set in the sink, then rinse with cold running water until cool to the touch. Drain well. 

    Transfer into a medium bowl and toss them with 1 tablespoon sesame oil so that they don’t stick to each other. Cover with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge to keep cool while you prepare the sauce.

    Bowl of Boiled Soba Noodles for Sesame Peanut Noodles

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
  2. Prepare the sauce:

    In a small bowl, add the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil, peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic. Whisk with a fork until combined and smooth.

    Pot of Sesame Peanut Sauce for Noodles Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
  3. Assemble the noodles:

    Scrape the peanut sesame sauce on the cold noodles and toss to combine. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.

    Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before serving them again, toss with a little warm water to thin out the sauce.

    Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!

    Plates of Sesame Peanut Noodles Next to a Small Bowls of Sesame Seeds and Green Onions

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
226 Calories
13g Fat
22g Carbs
7g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 226
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 954mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 177mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.