The Best Ever Satay Noodles Recipe
There are few meals as comforting as a bowl of warm creamy satay noodles, a dish that blends rich peanut sauce with sweet fresh vegetables and soft noodles that absorb every bit of flavor. It works beautifully for busy nights or relaxed weekends because it feels special yet comes together with simple steps. The sauce coats the noodles perfectly while the vegetables add color and freshness that make each bite vibrant, fragrant, and satisfying. The recipe is flexible and easy to adjust with extra spice, more protein, or different vegetables depending on what you enjoy. Below you will find a complete ingredient list along with step by step instructions, tips, nutritional details, serving ideas, and a helpful FAQ so you can prepare satay noodles that taste silky, rich, welcoming, and full of flavor every time.
Ingredients Needed
- 2 cups uncooked rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper sliced
- 1 medium carrot sliced into thin strips
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup cooked chicken or tofu cut into bite size pieces
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ¼ tablespoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts for topping
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Step by Step Cooking Instructions

Preparing the Noodles
Bring a pot of water to a gentle boil, cook the rice noodles for five to seven minutes until soft, then drain and rinse with cold water. Set them aside so they are ready to absorb the flavors when mixed with the sauce and vegetables
Cooking the Vegetables and Protein
Heat oil in a skillet, cook the onion until soft, then add garlic for a minute. Add the bell pepper, carrot, and cabbage and cook until slightly tender. Stir in the cooked chicken or tofu and combine everything well.
Making the Satay Sauce
Whisk the peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, chili sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Adjust the thickness with a little warm water if needed, then taste and add more lime or chili to suit your preference.
Combining Everything
Pour the satay sauce over the vegetables and protein, then add the noodles and toss until coated and warmed through on low heat.
Final Touches
Turn off the heat and let the noodles rest for a minute. Serve in bowls topped with chopped peanuts and cilantro for extra crunch and freshness.
Tips for Customizing the Recipe
This recipe is easy to customize. Adjust the spice with more chili, sweetness with extra brown sugar, or tang with lime juice. Swap or add vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, zucchini, or spinach, and use chicken, tofu, shrimp, or beef for protein. For a richer sauce, add cream, or try wheat or egg noodles instead of rice noodles for different textures.
Nutritional Information
A typical serving of these satay noodles contains approximately 500 calories, 20 grams of protein, 50 grams of carbohydrates, 25 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber, and 8 grams of sugar, though these values may vary depending on the ingredients and quantities used. The dish provides a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, while the vegetables add fiber and nutrients. The peanut based sauce adds richness and flavor that keeps you feeling satisfied.
Serving Suggestions
Satay noodles are delicious on their own or served with sides like cucumber salad, steamed broccoli, green beans, clear soup, or spring rolls. Top with green onions or toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor. They taste great warm or cold, and leftovers develop even richer flavors.
The Best Ever Satay Noodles Recipe
Course: Uncategorized3
servings10
minutes15
minutes500
kcalCreamy peanut sauce meets tender vegetables and soft noodles in this easy and flavorful satay noodle recipe. Perfect for a quick dinner or a satisfying meal any day.
Ingredients
2 cups uncooked rice noodles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 cup cooked chicken or tofu, bite-sized
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon chili sauce (or more to taste)
½ tablespoon ground ginger
¼ tablespoon salt or more to taste
¼ tablespoon black pepper
¼ cup chopped peanuts for topping
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Directions
- Boil rice noodles 5–7 minutes until soft, drain, rinse with cold water, set aside.
- Heat oil, cook onion until soft, add garlic for 1 minute, then add bell pepper, carrot, cabbage, and cooked chicken or tofu. Stir until combined.
- Whisk peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, chili sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper until smooth. Adjust consistency with warm water if needed.
- Pour sauce over vegetables and protein, add noodles, toss on low heat until coated and warmed through.
- Turn off heat, let rest 1 minute, serve in bowls, and top with peanuts and cilantro.
Notes
Adjust spice with chili sauce, sweetness with brown sugar, and tang with lime juice.- Swap or add vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, snap peas, or spinach.
- Use chicken, tofu, shrimp, or beef for protein.
- Try wheat or egg noodles for a different texture or add cream for a richer sauce.