Irresistible Homemade Teriyaki Noodles: A Quick & Easy 20-Minute Recipe
Embark on a culinary journey to deliciousness with this incredibly easy and unbelievably flavorful teriyaki noodles recipe. Crafted with tender noodles generously coated in a sweet, tangy, and deeply savory homemade teriyaki sauce, this dish promises a taste of authentic Asian flavors right in your kitchen. What’s more, it’s designed for speed, coming together in approximately 20 minutes from start to finish. Whether you’re seeking a quick weeknight dinner, a vibrant side dish, or a base for adding your favorite proteins and vegetables, these teriyaki noodles are a perfect choice. Say goodbye to complicated takeout and hello to a simple, satisfying meal that will become a regular in your rotation.
Why These Quick Teriyaki Noodles Are a Must-Try
This teriyaki noodle recipe stands out for several compelling reasons, making it a fantastic addition to any home cook’s repertoire. It effortlessly combines soft, slurpable lo mein noodles with a vibrant, homemade teriyaki sauce, creating a dish that’s bursting with lip-smacking flavor. The beauty of this recipe lies in its sheer simplicity and speed. You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to achieve a restaurant-quality meal. With just a few straightforward steps – preparing the sauce, cooking the noodles, combining them in a wok or large skillet, and thickening with a cornstarch slurry – you’ll have a delightful meal ready in a flash.
Beyond its speed, the use of a homemade teriyaki sauce is a game-changer. Unlike many store-bought alternatives that can be overly sweet or loaded with artificial ingredients, our scratch-made sauce allows you to control the balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes, ensuring a fresher and more nuanced flavor profile. This not only elevates the taste but also provides a healthier option. It’s also incredibly versatile, serving beautifully as a standalone vegetarian dish or as a robust base for adding various proteins like chicken, beef, or tofu, and a medley of colorful vegetables. This recipe proves that exceptional flavor and convenience can go hand in hand, bringing the joy of authentic Asian-inspired cuisine to your everyday table without the fuss.
Essential Ingredients for Your Teriyaki Noodles
To craft these delectable teriyaki noodles, you’ll need a selection of pantry staples and fresh ingredients. The full list of measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card located at the end of this post. For now, let’s highlight the key components that bring this dish to life.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Understanding your ingredients and knowing when to make clever substitutions can elevate your cooking experience. Here’s a deeper dive into the components of our teriyaki noodles:
NOODLES – For the authentic experience, we highly recommend using lo mein noodles. Their thick, chewy texture is ideal for soaking up the rich teriyaki sauce. However, this recipe is incredibly flexible. You can easily substitute with other popular Asian noodle varieties like ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet) or chow mein noodles for a slightly different bite. For a fusion approach, even Italian pasta like spaghetti or linguine can work in a pinch, though the texture will be distinct. The key is to cook them al dente according to package directions to ensure they hold up well when tossed with the sauce.
TERIYAKI SAUCE – The heart of this recipe is our rich and aromatic Homemade Teriyaki Sauce. We often prepare a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator for convenience, as it’s excellent for various Asian-inspired dishes. For this specific recipe, you’ll need approximately 1/2 cup of sauce. If you prefer to make a fresh batch tailored precisely to this recipe, we’ve provided the exact measurements for the sauce ingredients within the recipe card below. Our sauce combines low sodium soy sauce, aromatic sesame oil, savory oyster sauce, a touch of honey for sweetness, tangy rice vinegar, fresh minced ginger, pungent minced garlic, and a hint of brown sugar. This blend creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile that far surpasses most store-bought options in freshness and complexity. Using low sodium soy sauce allows you to control the saltiness, making the dish adaptable to your taste preferences.
CORNSTARCH SLURRY – A simple mixture of cornstarch and water is vital for thickening the sauce, ensuring it beautifully coats every strand of noodle. This step transforms the sauce from a thin liquid to a glossy, clinging glaze.
GARNISH – Don’t underestimate the power of garnish! A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a lovely nutty crunch and visual appeal, while fresh sliced green onions provide a subtle oniony bite and vibrant color, brightening up the entire dish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Teriyaki Noodles
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Prepare the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl or using an immersion blender, combine all the sauce ingredients (low sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, chopped ginger, minced garlic, brown sugar). Blend or whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. Set this flavorful sauce aside.
EXPERT TIP – For ultimate convenience, you can use 1/2 cup of a pre-made batch of our homemade teriyaki sauce. This is a great way to save time and always have delicious sauce on hand for other recipes.
- Cook the Lo Mein Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the lo mein noodles and cook them according to the package instructions until they are tender but still slightly firm (al dente). Once cooked, drain the noodles thoroughly to remove excess water. Then, transfer the cooked and drained noodles directly into a large wok or a spacious skillet.
- Combine Noodles and Sauce: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the cooked noodles in the wok. Toss everything together vigorously to ensure every strand of noodle is evenly coated with the rich sauce. Cook this mixture over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes, stirring continuously, allowing the noodles to heat through and absorb the initial flavors of the sauce.
- Thicken with a Slurry: While the noodles are heating, create a cornstarch slurry by whisking together a small amount of cornstarch with an equal part of cold water until smooth. Pour this cornstarch mixture directly into the wok with the noodles and sauce. This slurry is essential for achieving that characteristic glossy, thick teriyaki sauce.
- Simmer to Desired Consistency: Reduce the heat to low. Continue to simmer the noodles, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. It should be glossy and cling beautifully to the noodles. Once the sauce has thickened, immediately turn off the heat to prevent it from becoming too thick or sticky.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the piping hot teriyaki noodles to serving bowls. For a final flourish, sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions. These garnishes add both visual appeal and a delightful aromatic crunch. Enjoy your homemade teriyaki noodles immediately!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Teriyaki Noodles
Storing your leftover teriyaki noodles correctly will ensure they remain delicious for future enjoyment. Allow the noodles to cool completely to room temperature before transferring them to an air-tight container. Store this container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, it’s best to do so in a wok or skillet over medium heat with a splash of olive oil or even a tiny bit of water or broth to help loosen the noodles and prevent sticking, ensuring they regain their delicious texture and flavor.
Absolutely! Adding vegetables is a fantastic way to boost the nutritional value, color, and texture of your teriyaki noodles, making it a complete meal. Almost any of your favorite vegetables will work wonderfully. Consider adding thinly sliced cabbage, shredded carrots, shiitake mushrooms, tender broccoli florets, crisp bok choy, or crunchy snap peas. For best results, steam or stir-fry your chosen vegetables separately until they are tender-crisp. Then, toss them into the wok with the noodles and sauce during the last minute of cooking to ensure they are heated through but still retain their bite.
Yes, this recipe is highly adaptable for adding your favorite protein! Cooked chicken (diced or shredded), thinly sliced beef, shrimp, or cubed tofu would all be excellent additions. Simply cook your protein separately until it’s almost done, then add it to the wok with the noodles and sauce when you’re heating the sauce through, allowing it to absorb the delicious teriyaki flavor. If adding raw protein, cook it fully in the wok before adding the cooked noodles and sauce.
No immersion blender? No problem! You can easily combine all the sauce ingredients in a regular blender for a smooth consistency. Alternatively, for a slightly chunkier but still delicious sauce, simply whisk all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl until well combined. The minced ginger and garlic will add a wonderful texture.
To make these teriyaki noodles gluten-free, substitute the low sodium soy sauce with a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. Ensure your oyster sauce (if using) is also gluten-free, or omit it. For a vegetarian version, substitute oyster sauce with a vegetarian oyster sauce or a dash of mushroom-based umami seasoning. To make it vegan, replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar, and use a vegetarian oyster sauce or simply omit it for a still-delicious result. Always double-check ingredient labels for hidden animal products or gluten.
Elevate Your Meal: Serving Suggestions
These homemade teriyaki noodles are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. While they are undeniably fantastic on their own, especially when garnished with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions, they also make a stellar side dish. For a complete and satisfying meal, pair them with our succulent beef teriyaki or tender teriyaki chicken, accompanied by a vibrant side of steamed broccoli. If you’ve added vegetables directly into the noodles, you might not need an additional side. Alternatively, for a lighter touch, you can always stir-fry or steam additional vegetables separately and toss them into the noodles right before serving. Experiment with different proteins and vegetable combinations to create your perfect personalized teriyaki noodle bowl. The possibilities are endless, and the delicious results are guaranteed!
Explore More Teriyaki Delights
If you’ve fallen in love with the sweet and savory notes of this teriyaki noodle recipe, you’ll be thrilled to explore more dishes featuring this beloved Asian flavor profile:
- Beef Teriyaki
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
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Teriyaki Noodles
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 6 ounces lo mein noodles
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Teriyaki Sauce
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 Tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- ¾ Tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon chopped ginger
- ½ Tablespoon minced garlic
- ¾ teaspoon brown sugar
Optional Garnish
- sesame seeds
- sliced green onions
Things You’ll Need
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Wok
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immersion blender
Before You Begin
- We used 1/2 cup of our Homemade Teriyaki Sauce which we make in larger batches and keep in the refrigerator. You can do the same and have extra on hand, or we have provided you with the measurements above for the appropriate amount of sauce for this recipe.
- I recommend lo mein noodles, but you can also use ramen or chow mein noodles instead.
- Store any leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a wok or skillet with a splash of olive oil.
Instructions
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Combine all sauce ingredients in an immersion blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
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Cook Lo Mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain and add cooked noodles to a wok.
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Add sauce to the noodles in the wok. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes to heat through.
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Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Add cornstarch mixture to the wok.
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Turn heat down to low and simmer to thicken. When sauce thickens, turn off heat.
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Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
In conclusion, these homemade teriyaki noodles offer a perfect blend of simplicity, speed, and unforgettable flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe provides a foolproof way to create a dish that’s both comforting and exciting. With minimal effort and maximum taste, you can enjoy restaurant-quality teriyaki noodles any day of the week. Don’t hesitate to customize it with your favorite vegetables or proteins to make it truly your own. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this delightful and easy-to-make Asian-inspired meal!