Name: Garlic Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 oz thin spaghetti ((or noodles of choice)); 4 tablespoons vegan butter; 8 cloves garlic (minced); 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce ((see notes)); 2 teaspoons brown sugar; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil; 3 green onions (thinly sliced); 1/4 - 1/2 cup reserved noodle cooking water (as needed)

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Big garlic flavor, buttery noodles, and barely any cooking? Yes, please! This garlic noodles recipe comes together in about 20 minutes, with a simple vegan sauce that coats every strand. It's easy, cozy comfort food made with just a handful of ingredients.

My Go-To Recipe When I Just Want Something Easy and GOOD

These garlic noodles are my shortcut to a super satisfying bowl of comfort food, in just 20 minutes! Having a bottle of vegetarian oyster sauce in the cupboard makes the sauce ridiculously easy: a spoonful adds so much savory umami flavor! Use thin spaghetti or whatever noodles you have on hand (rice noodles work too), toss them in the simple vegan garlic butter sauce, and dinner is looking very good. I love them just as they are, or with air fryer tofu and cooked broccoli for more of a complete meal. Better than takeout, and ready before you've even decided what to order!

This garlic noodles recipe is buttery, garlicky, and packed with umami flavor. Ready in about 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients!

Why These Garlic Noodles Are a Busy Day Staple

20-minute meal: Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting dinner without much cooking.
SO flavorful: This is an example of how a short ingredient list can have a big impact! Garlic butter, soy sauce, and vegetarian oyster sauce create a rich, savory dish with loads of umami.
Simple ingredients: Almost everything is a pantry staple. Don't you love those kinds of meals?!
Easy to customize: Eat them as-is or add your choice of proteins, veggies, and garnishes.

Ingredients for Garlic Noodles

Spaghetti: Thin spaghetti is my favorite for this recipe, but other noodles work too.
Vegan butter: Store-bought works well, or use my homemade vegan butter.
Garlic: Eight cloves for plenty of garlic flavor! Cooking it gently in the butter mellows its sharpness.
Soy sauce: You can substitute tamari for a gluten-free option.
Vegetarian oyster sauce: Look for it in the Asian or international aisle of well-stocked grocery stores, at Asian grocery stores, or online. I used this one.
Brown sugar: A little sweetness balances the salty, savory sauce.
Toasted sesame oil: Adds a little nutty flavor.
Green onions: For a pop of color, crisp texture, and mild onion-y flavor.
Noodle cooking water: Don't pour it down the drain! The starchy water helps the sauce cling to the noodles.

How to Make Garlic Noodles

Cook the Noodles: Cook your noodles until al dente, saving some cooking water before draining.

Make the Garlic Butter: Gently soften the garlic in melted vegan butter without letting it brown.

Sauce ingredients for garlic noodles in pan.

Make the Sauce: Stir in the sauce ingredients and a splash of the reserved noodle water.

Toss: Toss the noodles and some green onions in the sauce until glossy. Finish with the remaining green onions and serve hot!

Tips and Variations

Can't find vegetarian oyster sauce? Try this swap: In place of the 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce, add an extra 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon mushroom powder along with the other sauce ingredients.
Save that noodle water: Set a measuring cup beside the stove as a reminder to scoop some out before draining. (I easily forget, so having the cup there is a great reminder!)
Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free noodles, swap soy sauce for tamari, and check that your vegetarian oyster sauce is gluten-free.
Make ahead: These noodles store really well! The vegan butter helps keep them from sticking together, and they reheat easily in the microwave. Have some for dinner now and save some for lunch tomorrow.

What to Serve with Garlic Noodles

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftover garlic noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Add a splash of water and gently warm the noodles in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, tossing to loosen the sauce.

If you try these Garlic Noodles, let me know by leaving a comment and rating it. I'd love to hear what you think! Share a photo of your creation on Instagram and tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken so I can see what you're cooking!
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.

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Garlic Noodles Recipe

This Garlic Noodles Recipe is buttery, garlicky, savory, and packed with umami flavor! Tender noodles are tossed in a glossy garlic butter sauce with soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Ready in about 20 minutes with simple ingredients, these easy garlic noodles are perfect for a quick dinner or side dish.

By: Sam Turnbull

Prep: 10

Cook: 10

Total: 20

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

▢ 12 oz thin spaghetti, (or noodles of choice)
▢ 4 tablespoons vegan butter
▢ 8 cloves garlic, minced
▢ 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
▢ 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce, (see notes)
▢ 2 teaspoons brown sugar
▢ 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
▢ 3 green onions, thinly sliced
▢ ¼ - ½ cup reserved noodle cooking water, as needed

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the noodle cooking water. Drain and set aside.
Make the garlic butter: While the noodles cook, melt the vegan butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and softened but not browned.
Add the sauce: Stir in the soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, and ¼ cup of the reserved noodle cooking water.
Toss: Add the drained noodles and half of the green onions. Toss well until the noodles are glossy and evenly coated in the sauce. Add another splash of noodle cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Serve: Divide among bowls and garnish with the remaining green onions. Serve hot.

Notes

Vegetarian oyster sauce: Vegetarian oyster sauce (sometimes called mushroom oyster sauce) adds a rich, savory umami flavor. Look for it in the Asian or international aisle of well-stocked grocery stores, at Asian grocery stores, or online. If you don't have it, add 2 extra teaspoons soy sauce, 1 extra teaspoon brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon mushroom powder along with the other sauce ingredients for a similar savory-sweet umami flavor.

Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free noodles and tamari in place of the soy sauce, and make sure your vegetarian oyster sauce is gluten-free.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the noodles.

Nutrition