This peanut butter ramen is the perfect meal for a cozy night in. The rich and creamy peanut butter flavor is reminiscent of satay sauce and is a perfect complement to the savory ramen noodles. The dish is garnished with wedges of lime and a sprinkle of cilantro for a touch of color. This dish is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters, and it can be made in just minutes.
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Peanut butter ramen might sound like an odd combination, but trust us, it's delicious! This dish is perfect for when you're craving something hearty and comforting, but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen.
The best part is that it only takes a few minutes to make. Simply cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions, then heat some creamy peanut butter (or peanut butter powder), coconut milk, soy sauce, and brown sugar together to make the delightful, silky, decadent sauce. Top it off with a sprinkle of cilantro or green onions and a few lime wedges and you're good to go!
Whether you're eating it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we guarantee that this peanut butter ramen will become one of your new go-to recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This peanut butter ramen recipe is the perfect meal for anyone who loves the taste of peanut butter and noodles. It is quick and easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal taste. Here are three reasons why you will love this recipe:
1. The peanut butter gives the noodles a rich, creamy flavor that is irresistible.
2. It's a quick and easy weeknight meal.
3. Peanut butter ramen is a budget-friendly meal that is perfect for those nights when you don't want to spend a lot of money on takeout.
What You’ll Need To Make Peanut Butter Ramen
Instant ramen: Use your favorite brand of instant ramen noodles for this recipe. You won't use the flavor sachet in this recipe, so it doesn't matter what flavor of noodles you get.
Peanut butter: You can use peanut butter or peanut butter powder for this recipe. I prefer to use peanut butter powder because it creates a lighter version of this recipe without sacrificing flavor. If you want to use peanut butter instead, choose a creamy variety for the best texture and flavor.
Soy sauce: To get the perfect balance of salty and savory flavor, you'll need to use soy sauce.
Coconut milk: Coconut milk is what makes this dish creamy and delicious, so don't skip it!
Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to this dish.
Lime: Adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the sauce just before serving will brighten up the flavors in this recipe. I also like to serve my peanut butter ramen with lime wedges on the side.
Cilantro (optional): For a pop of freshness and color, garnish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro or green onions.
Peanuts (optional): If you want to add a little crunch, sprinkle some crushed peanuts over the top of your ramen.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Now that you've gathered all the ingredients for this peanut butter ramen, let's get cooking!
Step 1: Cook the ramen noodles according to package directions. Drain the noodles and set aside.
Step 2: While the noodles are cooking, add the peanut butter powder, coconut milk, soy sauce, and brown sugar to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes then remove the saucepan from the heat.
Step 3: Add the juice of half a lime to the sauce and mix through, then add the cooked ramen noodles to the sauce and toss to combine.
Step 4: Serve the peanut butter ramen with your favorite toppings (such as cilantro, green onions, lime wedges, and crushed peanuts). Enjoy!
Recipe Tips And Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure your peanut butter ramen comes out perfect every time:
If you want to add more flavor to the dish, try adding a few dashes of sesame oil and/or Sriracha sauce.
If you don't have peanut butter powder, you can use creamy peanut butter instead. Just be sure to reduce the amount of coconut milk slightly if using peanut butter.
If you like more sauce, add a splash of water or additional coconut milk to the pan.
For an extra boost of protein, add a cup of cooked shredded chicken or tofu to the dish. You can also try out this delicious Birria Ramen recipe for a beef option.
For a vegan version of the dish, replace the soy sauce with tamari or liquid aminos or select a vegan soy sauce.
Serving Suggestions And Substitutions
This peanut butter ramen pairs well with almost any side dish. Here are a few suggestions:
- Steamed vegetables
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Egg rolls
- Rice
If you don't have all the ingredients on hand, here are some great substitutions:
- Peanut butter powder: Use creamy peanut butter instead.
- Soy sauce: Replace with tamari or liquid aminos.
- Brown sugar: Use coconut sugar, granulated sugar, or maple syrup instead.
- Cilantro: Swap it out with sliced green onions or fried shallots.
How To Store Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, simply add a few tablespoons of water to the container and microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
If you plan to have leftovers, I recommend leaving the garnish (such as cilantro, green onions, lime wedges, and peanuts) off until you are ready to serve. This will help keep the dish fresh longer.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Both will work in this recipe, but I prefer to use peanut butter powder because it creates a lighter version of the dish without sacrificing flavor.
Yes! Simply replace the soy sauce with tamari or liquid aminos or use a vegan soy sauce.
You can add a cup of cooked shredded chicken or tofu when you add the noodles to the sauce. It will give the dish an extra boost of protein.
Yes, but the noodles may become mushy once thawed. To avoid this, I recommend freezing just the sauce and reheating it with freshly cooked noodles.
Absolutely! You can add a few dashes of Sriracha sauce to the saucepan when heating. You can also add some chopped fresh chili peppers when tossing the noodles with the sauce.
Tools And Equipment For This Recipe
Le Creuset Saucepan: This is my go-to pan for cooking small-batch recipes over the stove. It heats evenly and the enameled surface is easy to clean, making it perfect for whipping up a quick batch of peanut butter satay sauce.
Powder-Coated Colander Set: This is a great set of colanders that come in three different sizes. I use them for everything from washing vegetables to straining pasta and noodles.
2-in-1 Citrus Press: This citrus press is perfect for getting the most out of your limes, lemons, and oranges.
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Ramen
Ingredients
- 2 packets instant ramen seasonings discarded
- 4 tablespoon peanut butter powder
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ⅔ cup coconut milk
- ⅓ cup water optional, if you like a thinner sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- lime wedges to garnish
- cilantro or green onions to garnish
Instructions
- Cook the ramen noodles according to package directions. Drain the noodles and set aside.
- While the noodles are cooking, add the peanut butter powder, coconut milk, soy sauce, and brown sugar to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes then remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add the juice of half a lime to the sauce and mix through, then add the cooked ramen noodles to the sauce and toss to combine.
- Serve the peanut butter ramen with your favorite toppings (such as cilantro, green onions, lime wedges, and crushed peanuts). Enjoy!
Notes
- The nutrition facts for this recipe have been calculated using peanut butter powder. Please note that these are just an estimate and they will differ if using peanut butter instead of peanut butter powder.
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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