Easy High-Protein Peanut Gochujang Noodles

5 from 3 votes

By: Sarah C, October 24, 2024 / Updated: November 26, 2024

Sarah Cobacho holding a fork over a bowl of peanut gochujang noodles.

Welcome back to Busy Girl Dinner! This Easy High-Protein Peanut Gochujang Noodles recipe is perfect for hectic days when you need a quick, nourishing meal. With a creamy peanut sauce, spicy gochujang, and fiber and antioxidant-packed broccoli and edamame, this dish delivers 30 g of protein per serving and is ready in just 25 minutes. It’s bold, flavorful, and super easy to whip up. And as a bonus, it makes for a great meal prep!!

This recipe is part of our Busy Girl Dinner series on social media! A collection of delicious meals that maximize nutrition for busy weeknight dinners.

Overhead view of peanut gochujang noodles in a bowl with a golden fork.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • High-Protein: This udon recipe provides 30 g of protein per serving, perfect for a filling and nourishing meal.
  • Fiber-Rich: With 15 g of fiber per serving, this dish supports healthy digestion and keeps you full and satisfied for longer.
  • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a quick lunch.
  • Spicy and Flavorful: The gochujang adds a mildly spicy kick that pairs beautifully with the creamy peanut sauce.
  • Nutritious: Packed with vitamins and minerals from the shiitake mushrooms, broccoli, and edamame, this meal is also rich in antioxidants.
Vibrant ingredients for peanut gochujang noodles on a white surface.

Ingredient Notes

  • Udon Noodles: Udon noodles are thick, chewy noodles that add texture to the dish. For a gluten-free option, you can use rice noodles or 100% buckwheat soba noodles. Some wheat noodles can be surprisingly high in sodium. If you’re monitoring your sodium intake, it can be a good idea to compare the different brands available to you or swap for rice noodles.
  • Edamame: This is a rich source of plant protein (9 g of protein per half cup). Like other soy products, edamame is heart-healthy. It helps improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and promoting better blood pressure and triglyceride levels​. You can buy them frozen and shelled and add them straight to the pot; they do not require any preparation and are one of the most convenient protein sources on a plant-based diet!
  • Peanut Butter: Peanut butter adds creaminess and nutiness to the sauce. For a nut-free option, you can substitute it with tahini. It’s also a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can support heart health.
  • Gochujang: A Korean chili paste that gives the dish a mildly spicy, sweet, and umami flavor. You can substitute it with your favorite hot sauce if needed.
  • Broccoli: Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cruciferous vegetable that is rich in Vitamin C, and K. Broccoli also contains phytonutrients that act as precursors to anti-cancer compounds. These include sulforaphane, which is known for its potent anti-cancer properties. Chop your broccoli 40 minutes before cooking to increase its sulforaphane content!

How to make this recipe (summary)

Start by cooking the shiitake mushrooms in a pan for 5 minutes. Add the sesame oil, broccoli, and edamame, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Meanwhile, cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions, saving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, gochujang, garlic, tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and lime juice. Gradually add the reserved cooking water to reach your desired sauce consistency. Then mix the noodles with the sauce and veggies, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to coat the noodles well. View recipe card below for detailed instructions.

A bowl of peanut sauce for the gochujang noodles.
Stir-fried broccoli, edamame, and mushrooms in a pan for peanut gochujang noodles
Overhead view of peanut gochujang noodles cooking in a pan.

Variations and Tips

  • Nut-Free Option: Replace peanut butter with tahini for a creamy, nut-free version.
  • Boost Your Greens: Add finely chopped bok choy, spinach, or kale in the last 2 minutes of cooking for extra nutrients.
  • More Heat: Add extra chili or use a spicier hot sauce if you like more heat in your meals.
  • Make It Gluten-Free: Swap the udon noodles for rice noodles or 100% buckwheat soba for a gluten-free version. I have tried and loved gluten-free udon before, but I have only been able to purchase it from a lovely vegan Japanese shop in Sydney (Comeco), so I’m not sure how widely they are available.
  • Low sodium: This recipe fits well within the 2000mg daily sodium recommendation. However, certain wheat noodles can be really high in sodium, so I encourage you to compare the different brands available to you next time you are at the supermarket. If you are on a low-sodium diet, rice noodles are usually a great choice! Bonus point if they are brown or black rice for extra antioxidants.
  • If you like this recipe, you’ll also love our High-Protein Udon Noodles Meal Prep, High-Protein Miso Noodle Soup, or Crispy Rice Salad with Gochujang Mushrooms.
Sarah Cobacho holding a bowl of peanut gochujang noodles.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Gochujang Udon TLDR

  • High-Protein
  • Fiber-Rich
  • Nourishing
  • Quick to make
  • & super satisfying!
Sarah Cobacho holding a fork over a bowl of peanut gochujang noodles.

Easy High-Protein Peanut Gochujang Noodles

5 from 3 votes
A delicious plant-based udon noodle dish with peanut sauce, edamame, broccoli, and a spicy kick from gochujang. Perfect for a quick and nourishing meal.
Sarah Cobacho (plantbaes.com)
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes

Video

Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
  • 3.5 oz (100 g) shiitake mushrooms - sliced
  • 4.7 oz (135 g) dry udon noodles
  • 1.5 cups (230 g) frozen shelled edamame
  • 1 small broccoli - chopped in florets – about 150g/ 5.3oz-
  • 2 scallions - finely chopped
  • 2 tsp (4 g) black sesame seeds
  • 1 red chilli - finely chopped -optional

Peanut Sauce

  • 3 tbsp (50 g) smooth peanut butter
  • 1.5 tbsp (25 g) gochujang - Korean chili paste
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) tamari - low sodium preferred
  • ½ tbsp (8 ml) rice vinegar
  • ½ tbsp (8 ml) maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) cooking water from noodles - to adjust consistency

Instructions

  • In a pan over medium heat, add the shiitake mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the juices to start releasing. Then add the sesame oil, broccoli, and edamame. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
  • Meanwhile, cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water to add to the sauce (see notes).
  • Prepare the sauce: In a small container, combine the peanut butter, gochujang, garlic, tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and lime juice. Whisk together using a small whisk or fork, and gradually incorporate the reserved noodle cooking water.
  • Add the noodles and sauce to the pan, and cook for an additional 2 minutes, mixing well to ensure the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce.
  • Divide between two plates, and top with scallions, sesame seeds, and chili, if using. Enjoy!

Notes

Gochujang: A Korean chili paste that can be substituted with your favorite hot sauce. I find gochujang to be fairly mild, so start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
Cooking water: The cooking water from the udon retains some starches, and since it’s warm, it helps when whisking the sauce, resulting in a smoother texture.
Gluten-free option: Use rice noodles or 100% buckwheat soba noodles. Check your tamari is gluten-free certified.
Nut-free option: Replace the peanut butter with 2 tbsp of hulled tahini.
Low-sodium option: Noodles can be surprisingly high in sodium. This recipe fits within the 2000 mg daily recommendation, but if you’re on a low-sodium diet, look for lower-sodium noodle options.

Per Serving

Calories 600kcalCarbohydrates 61gProtein 30gFat 24gSodium 767mgFiber 15gVitamin A 115IUVitamin C 61mgCalcium 151mgIron 6mg

FAQ

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can use rice noodles or buckwheat soba noodles for a gluten-free option.

Is this recipe nut-free?

You can substitute the peanut butter with tahini for a nut-free version.

How spicy is this dish?

The gochujang adds a mild spice, but you can adjust the amount or add extra chili for more heat. Only use the extra chili if you like it hot!

Can I meal prep this recipe?

Yes, it stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it perfect for meal prep.

What can I use instead of broccoli?

You can use favorite vegetables like bell peppers, bok choy or zucchini. Cooking time will varie.

5 Comments

  1. I made this dish last night and was really impressed by how quickly it came together and how delicious it is!! It felt like I had just whipped up a gourmet meal – the flavor and texture of the sauce works so well with the udon noodles and edamame/veggies. I made a quick gochujang paste with equal parts miso and sriracha and a small amount of maple syrup. Next time I’ll double the recipe because I love to meal prep. Thank you so much!5 stars

    1. Hey Amela, I’m so happy you loved it! Thanks for sharing you’re version of the paste, sounds delicious with the miso 🙂

  2. Hi Sarah,
    I made this recipe tonight and it was so delicious … My husband went back for seconds and hasn’t stopped raving about the wonderful flavours.
    This meal will definitely find its way on our weekly rotation.5 stars

    1. Thanks so much Pixie, I’m so happy you both loved it 💚

  3. You’re going to love this Easy High-Protein Peanut Gochujang Noodles recipe! Make sure to rate it 5 stars and leave a comment if you enjoyed it!5 stars

5 from 3 votes

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