These spicy garlic knife cut noodles are my favorite way to upgrade Trader Joe’s new Squiggly Noodles. Inspired by the viral tiktok ramen upgrade, this version is slightly sweet, garlicky, spicy, and full of tingly umami goodness!
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What is Spicy Garlic Knife Cut Noodles
To all you food lovers out there, get ready because we're diving into a taste sensation like no other, the stunning Spicy Garlic Knife Cut Noodles!
This dish is like a makeout session between noodles and heat, with the twang of garlic keeping it all consensual.
Think of a big bowl of fresh, chewy knife-cut noodles, tossed into a fiery garlicky sauce that's got your taste buds doing a tango.
Every bite is a crunch and slurp of spicy, savory heaven that sings a bold symphony of flavors in your mouth. I
t's comfort food with a kick, a culinary adventure that makes you appreciate the art of noodle-making, and a tantalizing journey of spice and garlic that leaves you absolutely craving for more.
Prepare to fall in love because once you try this, there's no turning back on this easy upgrade!
Spicy Garlic Knife Cut Noodles are the rock stars of the noodle world, and they're ready for their encore.
So, grab a fork, or chopsticks if you're feeling fancy, and get ready to slurp up these saucy strands of sheer joy!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Trader Joe’s Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles - You don't have to use TJ's version but I love them and they're easy to get here in Florida. You could also swap it out for another noodle of your choice.
- Soy Sauce - You could also use tamari or coconut aminos which are slightly sweeter.
- Sesame Oil - Sesame oil adds so much flavor and there is no real substitute. You could leave it out if you had to but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're allergic or something like that!
- Brown Sugar - Brown sugar has so much more depth than white sugar. But you could also use a teriyaki sauce or even agave for sweetness.
- Garlic Cloves - Fresh garlic is best as you want it super garlicky! But don't worry, the residual heat of the noodles will cook it perfectly so it's not so harsh!
- Sichuan Chili Crisp - I'm using this Sichuan Chili Crisp by Fly By Jing because it's the only one that I have that really packs that tingly Sichuan goodness that I think is so important to these noodles. You could also use another chili crisp if you want but I love this one for the flavor!
- Scallions - You could also sub cilantro if you don't have scallions but it will taste slightly different.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds - Toasted sesame seeds taste a little different than untoasted but it takes seconds to toast them on the stove top. If you don't have any, you can leave them off -- it won't make that much of a difference.
- Sriracha - This adds a different kind of heat but you could use any hot sauce you like if you want it super spicy!
- Lime - This adds the perfect zing to the noodles and really wakes them up. If you don't have lime, try a splash of rice wine vinegar or a squeeze of lemon.
How to make it
Making these Spicy Garlic Knife Cut Noodles is so easy, anyone can do it!
First, you'll want to bring 6 cups of water to a boil.
Add two packs of Knife Cut Noodles and discard the sauce. Cook for 4 minutes but do not strain. I'll tell you what to do when it's time to transfer them to the sauce!
While the noodles are cooking, it's time to make the upgraded sauce.
Add soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic cloves, Sichuan chili crisp, and scallions to a large bowl.
Whisk them together.
Once the noodles are done, add them to the sauce bowl straight from the boiling water, allowing the excess water to drip off only slightly.
Toss the noodles with the sauce.
Finish with toasted sesame seeds, lime juice and a squirt of sriracha for more heat.
Taste and add more seasoning if needed.
What goes with Spicy Garlic Knife Cut Noodles?
You could start with some of my hibachi chicken, these grilled lemon pepper wings, or even some bang bang broccoli.
For more tasty noodle recipes, try this creamy white lasagna soup, Trader Joes Lemon Ricotta Lemon Zest Ravioli with bursting tomato and burrata this viral tiktok one pot lemon pasta, or this sun dried tomato orzo.
For dessert, I suggest my easy 4 ingredient nutella fudge or my no bake key lime pie!
Frequently asked questions
I’m not a fan of garlic, can I still enjoy this dish?
Of course, you can! Tbh, the garlic cooks with the residual heat of the noodles so it probably isn't as harsh as you might think. The garlic gives it a bit of punch and flavor, but the beauty of cooking at home is making dishes that YOU love. If garlic isn't your jam, you can reduce the amount or skip it altogether. Play around with other flavors like ginger or green onions!
Can I store and reheat these Spicy Garlic Knife Cut Noodles?
You betcha! Just pop them in the fridge in an airtight container. When you're ready to reheat, add a tiny bit of water or broth, cover, and microwave on a low setting. They might not be as chewy and al dente as when they're fresh, but they'll still be super scrumptious.
Can I add other ingredients to my Spicy Garlic Knife Cut Noodles?
Oh, honey, you're speaking my language now! Go ahead and get creative! Toss in some veggies, some grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp or even some fried tofu. It's your noodle party, and you can do what you want to.
Save this recipe for later
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Recipe
Spicy Garlic Knife Cut Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 packs Trader Joe’s Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles sauce packets discarded
- 3 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 3 Garlic Cloves finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan Chili Crisp or your favorite crispy chili oil
- ¼ cup Scallions finely diced
- 1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 squirt Sriracha
- ½ Lime juiced
Instructions
- Bring 6 cups of water to a boil and add the two packs of Knife Cut Noodles. Cook for 4 minutes but do not strain.
- While the noodles are cooking, add soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic cloves, Sichuan chili crisp, and scallions to a large bowl and whisk together.
- Once the noodles are done, add them to the sauce bowl straight from the boiling water, allowing the excess water to drip off only slightly. Toss the noodles with the sauce.
- Finish with toasted sesame seeds, lime juice and a squirt of sriracha for more heat.
Kelsey
Perfect! The only things I changed: measured the chili crisp with my heart and added a fried egg. Love these noodles!
Brooke
So delicious and so so easy!! My husband was raving about it all evening, only thing I added was some thinly sliced leftover steak! Your recipes are the best!