15 Minute Garlic Fried Noodles: In only 15 minutes, and a lot of garlic, you can make this delicious Asian inspired side dish!
I repeat. 15 minute Garlic Fried Noodles. Also known as The Easiest Rice Noodle Recipe Eveerrrr. As a garlic-loving and rice noodle-loving family, this recipe is a staple in our house. make it all of the time. When we don't have time. When we're out of ideas. When we just want something we know we all will love.
Not only is it made in just minutes, but this easy rice noodle recipe can be customized in so many ways! Add a protein. Add a veggie. Add both! The possibilities with these garlic noodles are endless!
Ingredients Needed
AND these garlic noodles are made with only 6 ingredients!
- Rice Noodles - This will make the recipe gluten-free and is what keeps it ready in just 15 minutes.
- Garlic - Duh
- Butter - We always use salted for this recipe but if you only have unsalted, no problem.
- Soy Sauce - Regular soy sauce is best. We've made it with low sodium but then we end up adding salt...
- Coconut Sugar - You could also use light brown sugar, no problem, or even maple syrup or honey.
- Green Onions - Because what's garlic without onions?
Which Rice Noodles to Use
All rice noodles are not the same! And your local grocery store may only carry one brand/size so be sure to check what it is because it will affect your cooking time. We always love to go to our local Asian market to get our rice stick noodles and for this recipe, we prefer to use a thin one, size 1, or Small (S). The wider they are, the longer they will take to cook.
We love to use these noodles for these garlic noodles.
Rice noodles are not like pasta noodles - you don't boil them and they cook quickly so the hardest part of this recipe is just making sure that you don't overcook your noodles.
To Cook Rice Noodles: Just heat about 6 cups of water to almost boiling (I use our stovetop kettle), then pour the water over the noodles, making sure they're completely submerged. Then let them soak for about 3 to 4 minutes until they're al dente. Remember, they still have to go in your hot pan and there's nothing worse than a mushy noodle! Once al dente, drain the water and then rinse the noodles in cold water so they don't keep cooking.
Quick and Easy to Make
Saute garlic and onion in butter. While you're waiting for your water to boil, mince the garlic, dice the onions, and then sauté them in butter for about 2 minutes, then add your coconut sugar and mix until it's all incorporated.
Add soy sauce and let it all simmer for another minute.
Drain noodles and add to the pan. Add the noodles a tong full at a time, not all at once. This will make the mixing and even incorporation of the sauce and garlic easier for this rice noodle recipe.
Stir. Let the garlic noodles fry and soak up all the deliciousness!
Top with some more fresh green onions, add your favorite hot sauce or garlic chili paste if you want, and you're done! 15 Minute Garlic Fried Noodles for the win!
So much flavor. So much garlic! This made the perfect side dish for our Maple Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs! Although really, I would totally whip a batch of these noodles up for a quick lunch or a side for nearly any dish.
Customizable
Add a protein like chicken, shrimp, or pork!
Add more veggies like mushrooms, cabbage, or carrots.
Add some crunch from some peanuts!
Swap out the butter and add some additional flavor with Peanut Oil or Sesame Oil.
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FAQs
No problem - you will just need to let your noodles soak longer to ensure they're cooked.
Sure can. Follow the cooking instructions for the pasta and then add to the pan.
No problem - you can use light brown, maple syrup, or even honey.
No problem - you can buy them here on Amazon.
Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
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15 Minute Garlic Fried Noodles
Ingredients
- 8 oz thin rice noodles 1 MM or S
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup green onions, diced and divided. about 2 bunches
- 6-8 cloves garlic minced
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar coconut or light brown sugar. Or you could use hoisin.
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari, or a gluten free soy sauce
Instructions
- Soak rice noodles in almost boiling water for 4 minutes until al dente. Drain then rinse with cold water to stop cooking and set aside.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet on medium to high heat. Add about 3/4 cup of the scallions and all of the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
- Add sugar and mix in until it's all incorporated. Add soy sauce and let simmer together for 1 minute.
- Add noodles and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes until noodles have fried and absorbed the sauce.
- Plate, top with more green onions, your favorite hot sauce or chili garlic sauce and enjoy!
These are the most flavorful noodles so very glad i tried them thank you for sharing this recipe
Hi Catherine, Thank you so much!! I'm so glad you enjoyed them! 😀 -Tracy
just made this . probably need to go 6 - 8 minutes on noodles next time other than that awesome !
Just made this tonight. I didn't use any scallions and replaced with brown sugar. Was really good and so easy and fast. My grandson loved it and spot asking for more. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you, Lisa! I'm so glad you and your grandson enjoyed it 🙂
Can you substitute the coconut sugar with some other kind of sugar. I hate buying something a might not ever use again. 🙁 I really want to try this cause I love all the ingredients........and it's simple.
Hi Kathy -You can definitely use regular sugar, no problem!
Tracy, I made this (and your Maple Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs) yesterday. For the noodles, I replaced the coconut sugar with brown sugar. Both are very, very good. I'd like to add a little cabbage (or broccoli) in with the noodles some time (allowing for extra sauce if needed). I appreciate these recipes mostly because the ingredients are easily accessible. And thank you for answering my question about the sugar.
Can you substitute the coconut sugar with some other kind of sugar. I hate buying something a might not ever use again. 🙁
15 minutes!! That's like a dream for busy weeknights! Love the flavors Tracy!!
Thanks, Naina!
Brilliant. So, so good and I'm intrigued by the coconut sugar.
These look SO GOOD! I could totally eat an entire bowl of them. Also 15 minutes? Sold.
Very appetizing!!!
This recipe reminds me of a unbelievably delicious dish I get at a Beverly Hills restaurant called Crustacean. I've got to try this!