These easy Thai Noodles are a quick and delicious weeknight dinner!
My first gateway to Thai cuisine was through the classic pad thai noodles. When a college buddy of mine told me that he liked Thai food better than Chinese food, I just had to try it for myself. Well, it turns out that he was right—not that I’ll ever stop enjoying sweet-and-sour chicken! I found myself craving that rice noodle dish more and more. I’ve now loved Thai food for nearly 15 years, and I think you’ll fall in love with this cuisine, too. That’s why I made this simple Thai noodles recipe. Maybe it will be your gateway into a whole new world of flavor.
This delicious dish has similar elements to a traditional pad Thai recipe in the sense that it uses tender rice noodles and crisp veggies, all tossed in soy sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic, and ginger. Plus, the green onions and fresh cilantro aren’t just garnishes—they add an aromatic pop of flavor. Best of all, it’s such a quick and easy meal, perfect for adding your favorite proteins!
Are These Thai Noodles Healthy?
Yes, as long as you’re not on a carb-restricted diet! Rice noodles are low in fat and have a lower calorie count compared to other noodles. However, they can be high in carbs. The sesame oil in this recipe offers healthy omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Then there’s the carrot and red bell pepper, both of which provide vitamin A and fiber, among other nutrients. Since rice noodles are gluten-free, you can easily make the entire recipe fit a gluten-free diet by using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. There is no added white sugar in this recipe, as it only calls for one tablespoon of honey (a natural sweetener). The fresh garlic and ginger also provide antioxidants.
Why Rice Noodles Are Best
Unless you’re gluten-free, you’ve most likely eaten wheat-based noodles as part of your regular diet. Whether that’s spaghetti, linguine or macaroni, wheat-based noodles make up a majority of carb dishes. However, in countries like Thailand, rice noodles are a staple. They have a neutral taste that makes them ideal for absorbing the flavors of whatever sauces and seasonings you mix with them. Even better, rice noodles cook quickly, which saves you time in the kitchen! I encourage you to check out rice noodles in your local grocery store. Once you taste how well they soak up this recipe’s tangy, sweet sauce, I’m sure you’ll be cooking them more often.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. If you add protein to the dish, that may change how long the dish lasts in the fridge. You can reheat the noodles in the microwave with some water. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers, as the rice noodles may be rendered mushy when thawed.
Serving Suggestions
Once I know I’m making Thai noodles, I think it’s fun to keep the entire meal in this same theme. I love to start a weeknight dinner with a Thai Cucumber Salad. It’s fresh and cool, serving as the perfect starter to my main course. Since I want to make sure my Thai noodles are the star of my meal, I tend to keep my add-ons pretty basic. On meatless Mondays, I like to toss in some Crispy Baked Tofu. On other days, I am making a bowl of Thai Shrimp Curry and serving it over my noodles instead of rice. Don’t forget dessert! What’s better than Mango Popsicles?
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rice noodles
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil divided
- 1 large carrot julienned
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Soak rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes or until softened. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, lime juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes, if using.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots and bell pepper, sautéing until just tender, about 3 minutes.
- Add the softened noodles and sauce to the skillet. Toss to combine. Heat through, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, drizzle with the remaining sesame oil, and toss with green onions and cilantro.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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