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These easy vegan garlic noodles are perfect for whipping up for lunch or dinner. Blasted with flavor from the sesame oil and garlic, you cannot go wrong with this vegan noodle recipe. What’s great about this recipe is that it’s easy, yet it will still wow you (or your family) with its flavor. It can be made in only 15 minutes! Even the busiest of people have time to make this healthy meal up, and you won’t regret it. I love Asian-inspired dishes, and this one is loaded with all the goodness that you would want in a noodle dish.
Why You’ll Love Vegan Garlic Noodles
- Vegan: This vegan sesame garlic noodles recipe is vegan-friendly and loaded with flavor.
- Easy: This recipe is easy and only takes 15 minutes to whip up.
- Flavorful: Garlic and sesame make these vegan noodles so unbelievably delicious.
Ingredients
Sambal Oelek – This Indonesian chili sauce/paste adds the perfect kick to these vegan garlic noodles. Made from a mix of chili peppers, garlic, ginger, shallots, palm sugar, and lime juice, it brings depth and complexity to the dish. While some versions contain shrimp paste, vegan options are available or you can make your own! This ingredient takes these simple noodles to the next level with its balanced heat and flavor.
Maria Koutsogiannia
Maria is the creator of FoodByMaria and your go-to Greek food expert for cozy, flavor-packed recipes. Inspired by her Mediterranean roots, she brings traditional Greek flavors, feel-good ingredients, and a whole lot of joy to everyday cooking.
Sesame Oil – The aromatic secret weapon in these vegan garlic noodles that cannot be substituted. Its distinctive nutty flavor permeates the entire dish, creating that authentic Asian-inspired taste. Just a small amount goes a long way, coating each noodle with rich, toasty notes that perfectly complement the punchy garlic. This ingredient is essential for achieving the signature taste of these vegan garlic noodles.
How to Make Vegan Garlic Noodles
- Cook ramen noodles as instructed on the packet.
- Heat a medium-size pan on medium. To the pan add coconut oil, garlic and green onion. Heat for 3-4 minutes. To the pan add soy sauce, sambal oelek, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil. Stir and cook till the sauce begin to thicken.
- Transfer strained/cooked noodles to the pan and cook for 2 minutes till the sauce has seeped into each pore of the noodles.
- Serve with more green onions, toasted sesame seeds and ginger chili oil.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Noodles: Cook noodles just until al dente as they’ll continue cooking in the sauce.
- Garlic: Don’t rush the garlic cooking process – those 3-4 minutes develop crucial flavor.
- Sauce: If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved noodle cooking water.
Substitutions
- Noodles: While ramen works perfectly, you can substitute with soba, udon, or rice noodles (for a gluten-free option).
- Heat Level: Adjust sambal oelek amount based on your spice preference, or substitute with sriracha.
- Soy Alternative: Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
- Oil Options: If you don’t have coconut oil, neutral vegetable oil works well for cooking the garlic.
Best served with
How to Store Leftovers
These vegan garlic noodles are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water and gently warm on the stovetop for best results.
Common Questions
Absolutely! Broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms would all be excellent additions. Sauté them just before adding the sauce ingredients
The recipe, as written, is not gluten-free due to the use of ramen noodles and soy sauce. For a gluten-free version, use rice noodles and tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
With the standard amount of sambal oelek, they have a moderate heat level. You can easily adjust by reducing the amount for less spice or adding more for extra heat.
While you can sauté the garlic and green onions in water or vegetable broth instead of oil, the sesame oil is crucial for the authentic flavor. Consider reducing it rather than eliminating it completely.
For a more substantial meal, add tofu, tempeh, or edamame. Simply cook your protein of choice separately and toss with the finished noodles.
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Ingredients
- 200 g ramen noodles
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed or minced
- ⅓ cup green onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. sambal oelek – use less if you don’t fancy hot/spicy food
- 1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
- Top with more green onions, toasted sesame seeds and ginger chili oil
Instructions
Start Cooking- Cook ramen noodles as instructed on the packet.
- Heat a medium-size pan on medium. To the pan add coconut oil, garlic and green onion. Heat for 3-4 minutes. To the pan add soy sauce, sambal oelek, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil. Stir and cook till the sauce begin to thicken.
- Transfer strained/cooked noodles to the pan and cook for 2 minutes till the sauce has seeped into each pore of the noodles.
- Serve with more green onions, toasted sesame seeds and ginger chili oil.
26 people are discussing this recipe. Join in
Wow!! So delicious, and FAST!
Loved that I could whip this up in 15 mins, and I had all the ingredients at home. I’ll be making this weekly. It’s also great served cold for lunch the next day.
thank you so much, Jordyn!!!
Easy and good! My daughter said to make sure we keep this recipe! Served with spring rolls and spinach salad with asian dressing.
love that so much, thanks for the review hun!
This is my favourite fast dinner for a weeknight, so delicious and so quick. Started making double and using the half as a marinade for tofu, extra layer of delicious!!
AHH!!! Thank you so much for the love, Amy! you are the best!
Fantastic and so easy! I made the noodles and used them as a base for a “bowl”, added stir fried veggies done with salt and pepper and this was a hit!
I love this for you! Thank you so much!
Made with rice noodles instead of ramen as that’s what I had in the pantry. So simple and delish!
LOVE IT!!!!!
I wish I there was an option for more stars! This recipe is awesome and so easy to make. The perfect meal on a cold spring evening. It’s loaded with flavour and is a wonderful dish on its own or with roasted veg. I have shared it with everyone I know!
you’re the best! Thank you so much, Karen!!!
You don’t expect a recipe this simple and quick to taste this AMAZING! Took 15 minutes to put a whole dinner together. I topped my noodles with dumplings and edamame. Absolutely will make again!
Thank you so much!!!
Absolutely delicious! The coconut oil really ties the flavours together.
yaya, I am so glad you liked it!!!
Easy and yum!
So glad you enjoyed these!!!
Addictive! I’ve sent this recipe to so many friends. Really love it! My craving was satisfied. yummy, can’t wait to do it again.
Yes!!!! Please let me know if you make anything else my friend!