This shirataki sesame noodles recipe is so easy to make, and the results it produces are remarkably close to the real thing.
These noodles are amazing. They are so close to the classic recipe! They are one of my favorite shirataki noodles recipes. The Asian-style flavors are truly wonderful.
This recipe is also not difficult to make, even though you do have to go through the extra step of prepping the noodles prior to adding the sauce, to prevent a fishy smell and a rubbery texture.
Miracle noodles are miraculous
I love shirataki noodles. Some people complain about their fishy smell (before they're cooked), or say that eating them is like eating "flavored rubber bands." I respectfully disagree.
When prepared correctly, these noodles, made from konjac root, provide a wonderful keto, low-carb, and gluten-free alternative to noodles and pasta.
I normally prepare them by boiling and dry-roasting. Then I simply toss them with butter, garlic, and Parmesan. But a few weeks ago I decided to try using them in a sesame noodles recipe.
Success! These noodles are delicious, flavorful, and super-filling. I've been making this recipe regularly ever since.
The ingredients you'll need
Here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need to make this tasty recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below:
Shirataki noodles: I use angel hair miracle noodles in this recipe.
Tahini: Also labeled as "sesame paste." The only ingredient is ground sesame seeds.
Soy sauce: I use reduced-sodium soy sauce in most of my recipes. I find that traditional soy sauce is too salty. Obviously, you can use a gluten-free alternative if you wish.
Rice vinegar: If you don’t have any on hand, it’s OK to use white wine vinegar instead. I don’t recommend using plain distilled vinegar, though. It’s too acidic, in my opinion.
Red pepper flakes: They don't make the dish very spicy. They just add an extra layer of flavor.
Shredded cabbage: I make life easy and use a bag of pre-washed and shredded cabbage.
For garnish: Sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped scallions. But these are not just for garnish - they add nice flavor, and the scallions also add a pop of color to the finished dish.
How to make shirataki sesame noodles
It's not a difficult recipe, although prepping the noodles requires a few steps. The detailed instructions are included in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps:
1. Rinse the noodles, boil them, then drain. This will help get rid of their fishy smell.
2. Toast the drained noodles in a dry skillet. This step will improve their texture.
3. Mix together the sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Add this mixture and the cabbage to the noodles. Stir to coat.
4. Transfer to a plate. Top with the sesame oil, sesame seeds, and scallions, then serve.
What main dishes go with this recipe?
Any Asian-style main dish is great with these noodles. I often serve them with Asian glazed salmon or with Asian meatballs.
They're also good all on their own for a light meal, especially for lunch. And unlike regular pasta, they're truly filling, even when eaten without a protein.
However, feel free to add a protein source such as tiny cooked shrimp or shredded cooked chicken.
Variations and substitutions
This recipe is excellent as is. But if you feel like varying it, here are a few ideas:
- Use natural creamy peanut butter instead of tahini.
- As mentioned above, you can mix cooked protein into the finished dish to turn it into a complete meal. Try cooked shredded chicken or tiny cooked shrimp.
- Top the noodles with a couple of fried eggs. Another delicious way to turn them from a side dish into a complete meal.
What to do with leftovers?
You can keep them in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Reheat them gently, in the microwave on 50% power.
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Shirataki Sesame Noodles Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 (7 oz) bag angel hair shirataki noodles
- 1 tablespoon tahini (sesame paste)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or use a gluten-free alternative and add salt as needed)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 large scallion chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat and use it to toast the sesame seeds, about 2 minutes, just until golden. Watch out so that they don't burn. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
- Using scissors, open the shirataki noodles package. Pour its contents into a colander. Ignore the slightly fishy smell - it will rinse/cook out. Rinse the noodles under cold running water for 30 seconds.
- If the noodles are very long, use clean kitchen scissors to cut them in half.
- By now, your water should be boiling. Transfer the noodles to the boiling water, bring back to a boil, and boil for 3 minutes.
- While the noodles boil, heat a clean, dry medium-sized nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pour the cooked noodles back into the colander and drain well. Transfer the noodles to the hot skillet and dry-roast them (adding no oil to the skillet), stirring, for 1-2 minutes, until they are visibly dry and make a squeaking sound when moved in the skillet. This step will get rid of the shirataki's rubbery texture, and help the noodles better absorb the sauce.
- While the noodles are dry-roasting, use a fork to mix together the sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Add the mixture to the dry noodles in the skillet (use a small rubber spatula to scrape it all off the mixing bowl) along with the shredded cabbage. Stir-fry until the noodles and cabbage are thoroughly coated, 1-2 minutes.
- Turn the heat off. Transfer the noodles to an individual bowl. Drizzle with sesame oil and top with sesame seeds and chopped scallion. Enjoy immediately.
NOTES
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living.