These sweet, salty, and rich Garlic Noodles are an absolutely addictive dish that you’ll want to make again and again. Serve them as the bed for glazed meat, like my Sticky Soy Ginger Glazed Chicken, Honey Sriracha Tofu, or simple stir-fried vegetables. With a super short ingredient list of pantry staples, this delicious garlic noodles recipe will become a staple in your menu.
See this recipe used in my weekly meal prep.
Where Do I Find Oyster Sauce?
Oyster sauce can be found in the International aisle of most major grocery stores (look near hoisin sauce). If you can’t find it there, it’s worth it to seek out an Asian market, where oyster sauce is likely to be much less expensive than in chain grocery stores.
What Can I Use in Place of Oyster Sauce?
I personally feel that the salty rich flavor of the oyster sauce makes this dish what it is and I wouldn’t suggest substituting it. That being said, several readers have said they’ve used hoisin sauce, which is much sweeter, and have enjoyed the results. Substitute the oyster sauce in this garlic noodles recipe at your own risk.
What Else Can I Add to Garlic Noodles?
This is a great base recipe to which you can add all sorts of other ingredients! Garlic noodles are great as a side dish, but you can add protein and vegetables to make it a meal. Try adding some Teriyaki Chicken or Honey Sriracha Tofu on top, or check out my Garlic Noodles with Beef and Broccoli for some inspiration.
Looking for a spicy noodle recipe? Check out my Spicy Sriracha Noodles!
Quick & Easy Garlic Noodles
Servings 4Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta ($0.54)
- 4 cloves garlic ($0.24)
- 1/2 bunch green onions ($0.35)
- 4 Tbsp butter ($0.50)
- 2 tsp soy sauce ($0.20)
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.05)
- 1 tsp sesame oil ($0.40)
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce ($0.26)
Instructions
- Add the oyster sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil to a bowl and stir until combined.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the package directions (boil for 7-10 minutes). Drain the cooked noodles in a colander, then set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, mince the garlic and slice the green onions. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once the butter is melted and bubbly, add the garlic and onions (save a few for garnish) and sauté until they are soft and fragrant (1-2 minutes).
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the drained pasta and oyster sauce mixture to the skillet, and stir well to coat the pasta. If your pasta is stiff or sticky making it hard to stir, sprinkle a small amount of hot water over the pasta to loosen it up. Garnish the pasta with any reserved sliced green onions, then serve.
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Nutrition
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How to Make Garlic Noodles – Step by Step Photos
Mix the easy noodle sauce before you begin. In a small bowl stir together 2 Tbsp oyster sauce, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp toasted sesame oil. Stir until combined.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. While the pasta is cooking, mince four cloves of garlic and slice about four green onions (1/2 bunch).
Heat 4 Tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and most of the sliced green onions (save a few for garnish). Sauté the garlic and green onions until soft and fragrant (1-2 minutes).
Remove the skillet from the heat, then add the cooked and drained pasta and the prepared sauce.
Toss the ingredients in the skillet until the pasta is evenly coated with sauce. Garnish the garlic noodles with the reserved green onions and serve.
This easy Garlic Noodles Recipe is totally addictive… BEWARE.
Has anyone used rice as a substitute for the noodles? Im more of a rice lover but this recipe is great with noodles! Also, why angel hair instead of regular spaghetti noodles?
Hi. Is there anything you could substitute for the oyster sauce in this recipe? I’m a vegetarian. Thanks. I’ve been looking for a garlic noodle recipe that is vegetarian or vegan.
Your best bet would be to find a vegetarian oyster sauce. Some people have said they used hoisin, but I find that to be far too sweet for this. Oyster sauce is definitely more savory.
Also vegetarian. Used hoisin in place of oyster sauce AND brown sugar since hoisin is sweet already. Made very tasty noodles. Can’t say how they compare to the original recipe, but I’m enjoy my dinner tonight!
I don’t eat shellfish, so no oyster sauce for me. Would I just increase the soy sauce to make up for it?
No, unfortunately the oyster sauce provides thickness for the sauce and a complex flavor that you won’t get with soy sauce alone.
I made this last night, and it was suuuuuuuch a crowd pleaser!! I reduced the brown sugar a bit and added dumpling sauce instead of oyster sauce because that’s what I had on hand, and it was incredible!! Thank you so much for sharing :)
These noods were amazing! I added some ginger and a touch of Sriracha, added a fried egg and some greens and WOW!! Super simple and super cheap!!
So easy and delish!!! Will make an awesome side for so many meals.
I bought the ingredients to make this for dinner tonight, didn’t find oyster sauce but oyster -flavored- sauce, I hope it’s similar and works out the same!
I friggin love this recipe and used the original for a long time but developed an allergy to dairy and gluten. Would you think soy butter would still complement like a rice ramen noodle?
I’ve never had soy butter, unfortunately, so I’m not sure. :P
Do you think this would work with zucchini noodles?
Unfortunately I’ve never cooked zucchini noodles, so I’m not sure how they would work here.
Thank you for such a informative food blog. I have your cookbook and use many of your recipes. They are well written instructions and simple to,prepare . Look forward to your second cookbook.
This chicken thigh recipe sounds great. Will make it soon.
Jchap29
I would use a light safflower oil jn place of butter
Do you have any suggestions on how to make this gluten free? It looks amazing, but I am always struggling to find a good gf noodle…
Honestly I haven’t worked with gluten free pasta, so I’m not sure how well that would work.
Rice noodles.
It’s an asian inspired dish, so that will complement well.
there are soy ‘noodles’ available in the grocery section near the tofu. no cooking, just add sauce and let it sink in.
Also, there are shirataki noodles, which are great once you rinse them in cool water for a few minutes to get out the fish odor. THey are protien, low to no carb and gluten free. Also good to add any sauce and do not require cooking but can be warmed
Wow this was good! Of course I read the recipe wrong and put two TABLESPOONS of soysauce instead of TEASPOONS. Still really good! Next time I’ll cut the soy sauce and butter and add some onions and snow peas!
I have made these SOOOO many times i don’t even follow the recipe anymore :) I’ve had good luck just ‘winging’ the measurements and it’s come out perfect everytime! My 10 year old son LOVES these, so we call them “James noodles” :)
Thanks for the awesome recipe!
There is a mistake with the recipe. This is clearly one serving. Oh my god Beth I’m serious this is ah-mazing. Made this to go with an asian dish instead of rice and uuhghghghhhh I am in love. I will be eating this all week. 10/5
Hahahaha I’m glad you enjoyed it so much! :)