This Pork and Peanut Dragon Noodles recipe is fast, inexpensive, and is a spicy flavor explosion! You can make this recipe in 20 minutes, and it only costs around $5 for four servings.
Ramen noodles are one of my favorite inexpensive ingredients to have on hand. ALWAYS.
They can easily be transformed and elevated into so many different types of dishes. From easy homemade ramen noodles to Shrimp Lo Mein.
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🌟 Why you'll love this dish
I love Chinese food take-out as much as the next person, but it can get so expensive! That's why we love making take-out favorites like easy Air Fryer Crab Rangoon and Wonton Soup from scratch. Here's what makes this peanut dragon noodles recipe so special:
- This better-than-takeout Chinese food recipe will only cost you about $5 total. And, it will feed about four people.
- It's fast – ready in just 20 minutes.
- It uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or can easily get from your local grocery store or Asian market.
- It's not too spicy. But you can easily adjust the spice level if you want it milder or hotter.
🥜 Ingredient notes
As for ingredients to make these yummy spicy Asian noodles, you'll only need a few. If you make Asian food even sometimes, you likely have these ingredients on hand. A few notes:
Chili garlic sauce - this is what gives dragon noodles the heat this dish is known for. That said, it's easy to make this as mild or as spicy as you want it to be by adjusting the amount of chili garlic sauce. Want it even spicier? Add a bit of sriracha!
Soy sauce OR coconut aminos - You can use your favorite soy sauce. Or, you can use coconut aminos, which are dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and MSG-free. Both offer similar flavors to the dish.
Sesame oil - (not pictured) Be sure to use toasted sesame oil and not light sesame oil. The latter is great for cooking with, but doesn't add much flavor to the sauce. Toasted sesame oil, however, adds a big nutty aroma and flavor, so it's perfect for sauce. A little bit goes a long way.
Freshly grated ginger - for some extra depth of flavor and added spice.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
One of my favorite parts about making this delicious spicy Asian dish is that it takes so little time to make!
Step 1 - Start by mixing the chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar together in a small bowl to make the sauce. Set it aside.
Step 2 - In a pot of boiling water, cook two packages of ramen noodles according to package directions. Just be sure to discard the flavor packets! You don't need those for this recipe.
Step 3 - In a large skillet, sauté the ground pork along with the fresh ginger over medium-high heat, just until the pork has browned. Pour the sauce over the cooked pork along with ¼ cup of chopped peanuts, and stir all of that yummy goodness together.
Step 4 - Drain the noodles and add them to the skillet with the pork. Stir to coat the noodles in the yummy sauce. Plate and garnish with green onions and remaining chopped peanuts.
That's it! This whole meal can feed a family of four. You can make it from start to finish in 15-20 minutes! And, it's an AWESOME recipe if you're on a budget. The whole recipe costs less than $5 total.
Even if you're not on a budget, this is one spicy Asian noodle dish that packs a powerful flavor punch you will LOVE!
🌶 How do I adjust the spice level?
My family doesn't like things super spicy. This recipe makes the dish what I would consider MEDIUM SPICY. It has heat, but doesn't burn your tongue.
If you are someone who LOVES wicked hot, super spicy Asian food, then go ahead and add more of the chili garlic sauce.
How to make this dish MILD: reduce the chili garlic sauce further. Start with maybe one teaspoon of the chili garlic sauce. That's enough to still add flavor, without the heat. Then add a teaspoon of the soy sauce or coconut aminos to balance the flavor. Season and adjust to taste, as needed.
👩🏽🍳 More Recipe FAQs
This recipe works best with the traditional ramen noodles. They are also the least expensive! But you could also use this recipe with vermicelli noodles, wide lo mein noodles, or thin lo mein noodles.
I've heard from readers and Instagram followers that plant-based meat crumbles are a good substitute for pork in this recipe. You could also try cooking extra firm tofu, then crumbling it into the dish.
You can bump up the volume and nutrition content of this recipe by adding some veggies. I've personally enjoyed adding steamed broccoli. You could also add snow peas, diced red or green peppers, and sliced onions if you would like.
🥂 Which wine pairs with peanut noodles?
When enjoying spicy Asian food, look for sweet, aromatic white wines with high acidity and low alcohol.
Classic wine pairings here would be a German Riesling, a sparkling Moscato d'Asti, or a Spanish Albariño. If you like Sauvignon Blanc. most also pair well with spicy Asian food. I also enjoy certain Rosé wines with spicy food.
Wines to try:
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Pork and Peanut Dragon Noodles
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- ¼ cup coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
Noodles
- 1 Tablespoon canola, peanut, or vegetable oil
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 packages ramen noodles (discard the flavor packet)
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced thinly
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts, divided
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the chili garlic sauce, coconut aminos or soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and light brown sugar until well combined. Set aside.
- Heat cooking oil (canola, peanut, or vegetable oil) In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and ginger, cook until the pork is browned, about 4 minutes.
- While pork is cooking, cook ramen noodles in a large pot according to the package instructions.
- Once the pork is cooked, add the sauce and ¼ cup peanuts. Stir well and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- Drain noodles and add to the skillet with pork and peanuts. Gently toss all together to coat the noodles.
- Serve immediately, and garnish with green onions and remaining tablespoon of chopped peanuts.
Notes
- To add heat: increase the chili garlic sauce, one teaspoon at a time (or one tablespoon at a time if you LOVE your Asian food super spicy!).
- To make it mild: start with just one teaspoon of the chili garlic sauce, mix the sauce, taste. Add chili garlic sauce by the teasponful until you achieve your desired level of spice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
This recipe is inspired by the Food Network.
Gina McPeck says
Wonderfully tasty, and so simple!
Judith says
This dishes was delicious and super simple to make but had great flavor!! Will be making this a lot!!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Yay!! So glad to hear you love it, Judith!
Lesley says
This was absolutely amazing! We ate every bite. Thanks for the great recipe! It’s a keeper!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
So glad to hear you loved it, Lesley!
Joya says
This is now a staple for our family. Fast, easy & inexpensive. We subbed turkey for pork and cut back on the spice... to fit our family’s taste. Everyone inhaled it. Yum!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
So glad your family loved it, Joya!
Carmelina says
Easy and delicious meal!! My family LOVED it. Will definitely make it again and again!!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
These sound so simple and delicious! I love that they're so budget friendly too!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
A win-win! Thank you, Erin!
Mirlene says
It's been a very long time since I had noodles, so thisr ecipe is so timely for me - the noodles look amazing!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks, Mirlene! :)
Shannon says
This was fantastic for lunch, and the kids liked it too!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
So glad you all enjoyed it!
Noelle says
This is the perfect dish when I am craving take out! Thanks for the great idea, the flavors are just bursting :)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much, Noelle! I hope you love it!
Jordin says
This dish sounds amazing! And super easy to make, I can’t wait to make it this week!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Let me know how you like it! :)
Alison says
Love this sauce on these noodles! And the peanuts give it such a nice crunch.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I love the combo, too! :)
Kacey Perez says
Asian cuisine is my absolute favorite so I am always looking for new ways to incorporate it into our weekly meals! Also, love the wine pairing suggestion!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks, Kacey! :)