Garlic Pork Peanut Noodles are the ultimate weeknight dinner, with savory ground pork, tender rice noodles, a creamy peanut sauce, and loads of garlic and ginger all tossed together in one big, flavor-packed skillet! It’s cozy, bold, and ready in about 30 minutes.
I’ve been making some version of these peanut noodles for years, and every time I do, I wonder why I don’t cook them more often. They’re the exact kind of meal I crave on a busy night! Something cozy, a little saucy, and ridiculously easy. The kind of noodles you pile high into a bowl and instantly feel better about life.
Plus, this recipe has the perfect mix of sweet, salty, spicy, and nutty without being fussy. Everything cooks fast, the sauce practically makes itself, and it’s totally customizable depending on what you have in the fridge. It’s one of those “accidentally addictive” meals you’ll catch yourself making on repeat.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- It’s FAST – Everything cooks in one skillet while the noodles boil. Dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less.
- Huge flavor payoff – Garlic, ginger, peanut butter, soy sauce, and chili garlic sauce make the kind of sauce you want to lick off the spoon.
- Family friendly – The base recipe is mild enough for kids, but easy to customize with extra spice for the adults.
- Leftovers are amazing – The noodles and sauce reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day.
Recipe Notes
This Garlic Pork Peanut Noodles recipe is as simple as promised! Just a few everyday pantry staples come together to make an easy, family-friendly dinner that curbs those takeout cravings.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Rice Noodles with Peanut Sauce to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Sesame oil – Adds a toasted, nutty flavor. Avocado or vegetable oil works in a pinch.
- Ground pork – Lean is best. You can substitute ground chicken or turkey.
- Red bell pepper – Adds sweetness and color. Any bell pepper works!
- Garlic + ginger – Fresh is best here since it really builds the flavor base.
- Brown sugar – Balances the soy sauce and adds caramelized flavor!
- Green onions – Stir some into the sauce and save a little for garnish.
- Rice noodles – I use wide rice noodles, but vermicelli or lo mein noodles also work.
For the Peanut Sauce
- Pasta water – Helps melt the peanut butter and creates a silky, tossable sauce.
- Peanut butter – Creamy peanut butter works best, you can substitute almond butter if needed.
- Soy sauce – Provides saltiness and depth! Use low-sodium or coconut aminos if preferred.
- Chili garlic sauce – Sriracha works as a substitute, or you can omit it for no spice.
- Rice wine vinegar – A little acid to balance the richness! Lime juice works too.
- Chicken broth – Helps thin the sauce to your perfect consistency. You can use vegetable broth, too.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Spicy Peanut Noodles – Add extra chili garlic sauce or a drizzle of sriracha for more heat.
- Veggie-Packed Noodles – Stir in shredded carrots, spinach, or snap peas with the pork!
- Thai-Inspired Pork Noodles – Add a squeeze of lime juice and a handful of fresh cilantro or basil before serving.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Garlic Pork Peanut Noodles.
Heat the sesame oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Once hot, add the pork and red bell pepper and cook, breaking pork apart as you stir until browned, about 4-6 minutes.
Reduce heat to low, then add the garlic, ginger, brown sugar and green onions, and stir until combined.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, and cook rice noodles per package directions. Once done, drain, reserving one cup of the pasta water.
Add the pasta water, along with the peanut butter, soy sauce, chile garlic sauce, and rice wine vinegar to the pork and stir until a sauce has formed.
Toss the rice noodles with the pork and sauce and use chicken broth to thin the sauce until it comes to the desired consistency.
Garnish with your choice of additional sliced green onions, chopped peanuts, or fresh cilantro.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the pasta water – It helps melt the peanut butter and creates the silkiest sauce!
- Adjust thickness – Use more or less chicken broth until the sauce is perfectly creamy and glossy.
- Finely mince the garlic and ginger – The flavor disperses better and creates a more balanced sauce.
- Taste and adjust – More soy sauce for salt, more brown sugar for sweetness, more chili garlic sauce for heat! If you overdid it with the soy sauce, an extra dash of vinegar will balance it right out.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use pre-minced garlic and ginger – Fresh is best, but these shortcuts are real life savers and work pretty well in a pinch!
- Use pre-shredded veggies – Bagged sliced peppers or shredded carrots cut prep time in half.
- Swap in quick-cook noodles – Some rice noodles only need a hot soak, not boiling!
- Meal prep the sauce – Whisk it together in advance and store in the fridge for 3–4 days. Then when you’re ready to cook, it’ll be even quicker to throw together!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this garlic pork peanut noodles recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Brown the pork with bell pepper.
- Add garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and green onions; cool completely.
- Transfer mixture to a freezer bag and freeze. Cook noodles fresh when ready to serve.
How to Freeze Rice Noodles with Peanut Sauce After Cooking
- Let noodles cool completely.
- Transfer to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container.
- Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and reheat with a splash of broth.
What to Serve with Garlic Pork Peanut Noodles
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of garlic, ginger, and peanut flavors, it pairs well with fresh, crunchy, or veggie-forward sides.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Garlic Pork Peanut Noodles Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Peanut Noodle Lettuce Wraps – Spoon warmed noodles into crisp lettuce cups.
- Peanut Noodle Stir Fry – Add extra veggies and sauté for a quick next-day meal.
- Noodle Peanut Bowls – Top cold noodles with shredded cabbage, cucumbers, and lime for an easy lunchtime bowl!
Recipe FAQ’s
What is the healthiest noodle you can eat?
While this recipe uses gluten free rice noodles, you can opt for a higher fiber option which is typically a bit healthier. Many consider whole-grain noodles, brown rice noodles, or soba noodles (made from buckwheat) to be the healthiest options, which would also go well here!
What is the meaning of dragon noodles?
“Dragon noodles” typically refers to a spicy Asian-inspired noodle dish known for its fiery heat. The “dragon” name usually signals a chili-forward, bold, tongue-tingling sauce! These garlic pork peanut noodles are similar to dragon noodles since they have a bit of chili garlic sauce added!
What sauce goes with pork noodles?
Pork noodles pair well with rich, savory sauces like soy-based stir-fry sauces, hoisin blends, sesame-ginger sauces, or peanut sauces. Anything with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, or chili complements the flavor of ground pork beautifully!
Do peanut butter and garlic go together?
Yes, surprisingly well! Peanut butter and garlic are a classic combination in many Asian-inspired sauces. The nutty richness of the peanut butter balances the sharp bite of the garlic, creating a creamy, savory, slightly sweet sauce that’s incredibly flavorful.
More EASY Dinner Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy dinner recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
Garlic Pork Peanut Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 pound lean ground pork
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoon minced ginger
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 14 ounces rice noodles
Peanut sauce
- 1 cup pasta water
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 cup chicken broth, more or less to taste
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Once hot, add the pork and red bell pepper and cook, breaking pork apart as you stir until browned, about 4-6 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, then add the garlic, ginger, brown sugar and green onions, and stir until combined.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, and cook rice noodles per package directions. Once done, drain, reserving one cup of the pasta water.
- Add the pasta water, along with the peanut butter, soy sauce, chile garlic sauce, and rice wine vinegar to the pork and stir until a sauce has formed.
- Toss the rice noodles with the pork and sauce and use chicken broth to thin the sauce until it comes to the desired consistency.
- Garnish with your choice of additional sliced green onions, chopped peanuts, or fresh cilantro.
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