Slurpy, saucy sesame garlic stir fry noodles! Thick and chewy udon noodles tossed with a ginger-garlic sauce, spinach, and crispy tofu. Seize the chopsticks– this recipe is prepared in simply half-hour.
Prepared in lower than half-hour, with 30 grams of protein per serving. This one satisfies and is a should for busy nights.
Why I really like this recipe
These stir-fry noodles are my go-to after I’m craving fast, straightforward, and comforting. Thick and chewy udon noodles with spinach, crispy tofu, and a simple sesame garlic sauce that’s a lot extra flavorful than the jarred stuff.
These noodles are additionally an effective way to attempt tofu– crumbled and browned till very chewy and dry, then tossed within the flavorful sauce for an extra layer of taste. I take advantage of the identical approach in my 15-minute pad Thai and chili crisp tofu bowls.
Every bowl incorporates a serving of greens, a grain, and a protein-rich meals—the proper trifecta every time I’m meal planning for shoppers. One of the best half is that they’re prepared in simply half-hour!
Ingredient Notes
- Udon Noodles: I really like udon noodles and use them usually, particularly in stir fry noodles like this recipe. (If you happen to really feel the identical means, be sure to attempt my Spicy Udon Noodles and Spicy Gochujang Noodles) If you happen to can’t discover udon noodles, attempt the wheat noodles from Dealer Joe’s (proven above), ramen noodles, or perhaps a fettuccine noodle.
- Tofu: I add tofu for the feel because it jogs my memory of floor pork that’s historically present in stir-fry noodles and for vitamin– a serving of those noodles has 30 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, calcium and iron, largely due to the inclusion of tofu.
- Spinach: I wouldn’t be a dietitian if I wasn’t attempting so as to add in a serving of leafy greens at most meals. I selected spinach because it wilts rapidly and has a really tender texture when cooked, however different leafy greens, like kale and even swiss chard, would work.
- Stir-Fry Sauce: This one takes solely minutes to place collectively and tastes higher than what I can discover in a jar– cornstarch is added to thicken together with soy sauce, vegetable broth, ginger, garlic, and just a little purple pepper flakes for added warmth. You possibly can improve or lower the purple pepper flakes relying on desire.
Learn how to Make (Step by Step Pictures)
Make the Sauce
Begin by making the stir fry sauce by whisking collectively the cornstarch, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, vegetable broth, ginger, garlic, purple pepper flakes and rice wine vinegar. Whisk till the cornstarch is dissolved, then put aside. You’ll want to verify the sauce is prepared earlier than making the tofu.
Prepare dinner the Pasta
Convey a pot of water to a boil and add the udon noodles. Prepare dinner in accordance with package deal instructions, then drain and rinse with chilly water to cease the cooking of the noodles. My noodles take solely two minutes to prepare dinner via, however examine your package deal as it could be totally different.
Make the Tofu
Press the tofu, then crumble. You possibly can dice the tofu in case you’d like, however I crumble for ease. Make it possible for the tofu is pressed, as urgent the tofu removes additional moisture, which is required for crispy, chewy tofu crumbles. Urgent the tofu additionally lets it take in the flavour of no matter sauce you might be utilizing, like this stir fry sauce!
Warmth just a little oil in a big skillet, then add the tofu and prepare dinner till golden brown, stirring usually to stop browning. Add in a couple of tablespoons of the sauce and prepare dinner till thickened and the tofu is roofed.
Mix collectively!
Take away the tofu from the pan, then add within the remaining sauce and prepare dinner till thickened and bubbly. Add within the noodles, the cooked tofu and the spinach then prepare dinner for an additional minute or two till the noodles are lined within the sauce and every thing is warmed via.
In case your sauce is simply too thick, then add in a splash or two of vegetable broth or water.
Suggestions for Success
The important thing to those stir fry noodles is ensuring you press the tofu first. It’s important relating to the proper texture of tofu. Urgent tofu eliminates additional moisture, wanted for crispy, not-soggy cubes. Urgent additionally permits your tofu to absorb the flavour of no matter sauce you might be utilizing.
If you happen to don’t have a tofu press, wrap the tofu in-between a couple of layers of paper towels and place on a chopping board. Then, place a heavy pan on high and let sit for 5-10 minutes till a lot of the water is pressed out.
I discover that my giant saute pan or forged iron skillet is greatest for browning the tofu, however you need to use a non-stick skillet; you could have to prepare dinner just a little longer to get the cubes good and browned.
Incessantly Requested Questions
What’s the trick to getting the tofu golden brown?
The secret is to prepare dinner the crumbled tofu over medium warmth for the urged 8-10 minutes, stirring usually. Keep away from overcrowding the pan, which may steam the tofu as a substitute of browning it.
Why do I prepare dinner the tofu individually earlier than including it again in?
Eradicating the tofu after cooking permits the sauce to thicken. If cooked collectively, the tofu will turn into too soggy.
Can I make the sauce thicker if I desire?
The cornstarch within the sauce helps with thickening. If you happen to desire a good thicker sauce, you possibly can attempt growing the cornstarch by a small quantity (maybe one other half teaspoon whisked with just a little liquid earlier than including) if you initially make the sauce, or let the sauce simmer for barely longer.
Extra Noodle Recipes
Yeah, these are pretty much as good as they give the impression of being! If you happen to make it, let me know! I really like seeing your pictures and listening to about your customizations.
If you happen to attempt these stir fry noodles, let me know! Go away a remark, fee it, and tag your Instagram pictures with #delishknowledge . I completely love seeing your creations. Completely satisfied cooking!
Stir Fry Sesame Garlic Sauce
- 2/3 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed purple pepper flakes
For the Noodles
- 8 ounces udon noodles
- 8 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 3 cups contemporary spinach leaves
- sesame seeds, for garnish
- thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Make the Tofu
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Warmth a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the teaspoon of oil, then crumble within the tofu and prepare dinner till very dry, chewy and golden brown, stirring usually. This can take about 8-10 minutes.
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Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved stir-fry sauce and prepare dinner for an additional minute or two, till the tofu is properly coated and sauce has thickened across the tofu. Take away from the skillet and put aside.
Mix
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Add the remaining sauce to the empty sauce pan and prepare dinner for 3-4 minutes, stirring usually to stop burning, till the sauce is bubbly and thickened.
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Add within the cooked noodles, tofu and spinach. Toss, cooking one other minute or two till the spiinahas wilted and every thing is warmed via. If the sauce turns into too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water.
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Divide between two bowls (this makes two giant servings, however so good and my husband and I simply eat it as a serving!) and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions, if desired.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 577kcalCarbohydrates: 85gProtein: 30gFats: 14gSaturated Fats: 2gPolyunsaturated Fats: 5gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gTrans Fats: 0.01gSodium: 3402mgPotassium: 505mgFiber: 8gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 4387IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 3mg
This recipe was first revealed in 2014 and up to date in 2025.
