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Peanut Soba Noodles with Crispy Baked Tofu and Vegetables

April 22, 2015

Peanut Soba Noodles combine pantry staples to make a healthier version of a classic takeout favorite. Add in some seasonal vegetables and crispy baked tofu for a balanced meal.  

Peanut Soba Noodles combine pantry staples to make a healthier version of a classic takeout favorite. Add in some seasonal vegetables and crispy baked tofu for a balanced meal your family will ask for over and over again!

Now that the flowers are in bloom in our backyard, the temperature is resting in the 60s and low 70s most of the time, and artichokes, strawberries, and asparagus are lining the produce aisle, I think it’s fair to say we are officially in spring. To go along with the spring cleaning we do for our houses, yards, and bodies, the Recipe ReDux is focused on spring cleaning our pantries this month.

Go through your pantry, cupboards, freezer, or fridge; what ‘treasures’ have you found? Pick an ingredient/spice/condiment that’s been hanging out for a while and give it the attention it needs. Share a healthy recipe made using your new-found pantry prize.

I have to say I’m pretty good about using what’s in my pantry, especially since I go grocery shopping at least once a week for my fresh produce. But I always have plenty of canned beans, pasta/noodles, low sodium broth, nuts/nut butter, dried fruit, and boxed tomatoes hanging around. So taking a few of those items, I knew exactly what I was going to make for this ReDux: Peanut Soba Noodles

Peanut Soba Noodles combine pantry staples to make a healthier version of a classic takeout favorite. Add in some seasonal vegetables and crispy baked tofu for a balanced meal your family will ask for over and over again!

You’ll Lick the Spoon Clean

I’ve mentioned my love of peanut butter numerous times on this blog (for example, here, here, and here), and just a few months ago I devoted my January ReDux to this Thai Peanut Chicken Satay recipe. The peanut sauce used on these peanut soba noodles is the same one I use in the satay recipe, which makes these two recipes perfect to serve the same week or even a week apart. Just make sure you make a big enough batch of sauce – you may find yourself licking the spoon every time you try to put it away! (Or your kids may eat it all – the evidence is in the images below!)

Kids will love these peanut soba noodles made with whole grains, fresh vegetables, and homemade peanut sauce. Healthy and delicious for the whole family!

Kids will love these peanut soba noodles made with whole grains, fresh vegetables, and homemade peanut sauce. Healthy and delicious for the whole family!

I originally developed the peanut noodles back in 2011 when I wrote my first cookbook, We Can Cook, but over time I’ve improved on it with the addition of oven-baked crispy tofu (my go-to tofu recipe) and a variety of vegetables based on what’s in season and how much time I have on my hands.

An All-Year-Round Recipe

This is definitely an all-year-round recipe depending on what vegetables you add. While this recipe includes daikon and snap peas, I have made it with broccoli and bok choy in the colder months, and bell peppers, cucumbers and scallions are great anytime of year. No matter what you add to these peanut soba noodles, I can assure you it will be a family favorite in no time!

Peanut Soba Noodles combine pantry staples to make a healthier version of a classic takeout favorite. Add in some seasonal vegetables and crispy baked tofu for a balanced meal your family will ask for over and over again!

Peanut Soba Noodles combine pantry staples to make a healthier version of a classic takeout favorite. Add in some seasonal vegetables and crispy baked tofu for a balanced meal your family will ask for over and over again!

Peanut Soba Noodles with Crispy Tofu and Spring Vegetables

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Sweet and slightly spicy peanut sauce tossed with buckwheat soba noodles, oven-baked crispy tofu, and vegetables is a meal your family will ask for over and over again!

Ingredients

For the tofu:

  • 1 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • One 16-ounce package extra-firm tofu, drained, pressed*, and cubed small (or two 8-ounce packages cubed super firm tofu) (see notes below)

For the peanut sauce:

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (~2 cloves)
  • 2 packed teaspoons grated ginger
  • 1/3 cup natural creamy peanut butter (can substitute other nut butters for allergies or preferences)
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons hot water (optional)

For the noodles and vegetables:

  • One 12-ounce box of buckwheat soba noodles (or gluten-free noodles)
  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped scallions
  • 1 cup halved blanched snap peas
  • 1 cup julienned daikon (Japanese radish)
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)
  • Crushed peanuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions

To make the tofu:

  1. Combine sesame oil, lime juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce in a small bowl and whisk until emulsified.
  2. Pour marinade over cubed tofu in a medium mixing bowl and marinate for at least 30 minutes, tossing occasionally.
  3. Preheat oven to bake at 425 degrees. Spread marinated tofu in one layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in the top shelf for 20 minutes; turn tofu and bake another 10 minutes until crispy.

To make the peanut sauce:

  1. Combine the sauce ingredients up to and including sriracha in a mini food processor and puree until smooth and well blended. Add 2 tablespoons of hot water and puree again to thin out the sauce. Add more hot water if thinner sauce is desired. Set aside.

To assemble:

  1. Cook soba noodles according to package directions (about 5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Coat pasta pot with a drizzle of sesame oil so noodles don't stick, and return noodles to pot.
  3. Add the prepared vegetables and toss with the noodles. Add the peanut sauce and toss again, making sure everything is well coated. Add the crispy tofu and toss one last time.
  4. Serve peanut noodles with chopped cilantro and crushed peanuts if desired.

Notes

This recipe can be served warm or cold. For the creamiest consistency, eat immediately!

Directions to drain and press tofu:

  • If you have a tofu press, place block of tofu in the press and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. 
  • If you do not have a press, press the tofu as follows: Place the block of tofu between multiple layers of paper towel or a couple of clean kitchen towels. Place the wrapped up tofu on a cutting board or plate and top with another cutting board or heavy pan. Set aside for about 30 minutes until most of the liquid is pressed out of the tofu.
  • Note: I usually drain the tofu overnight and add marinate it in the morning.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 263Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 440mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 16g

Nutrition information was calculated by Nutritionix. It may not be 100% accurate.

Did you find any ‘treasures’ in the kitchen or pantry when you were spring cleaning? 

Share with me in the comments below!

Peanut soba noodles are tossed with oven-baked crispy tofu and vegetables for a vegan and gluten-free weeknight meal your whole family will enjoy.

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I used to make the sauce with chili paste, but my husband’s obsessed with sriracha, so changed it up!

    1. Ha…I had so many pics of Sabrina (the one in purple) shoveling the noodles into her mouth. She likes her food 😉

    1. Thanks so much Marisa! It’s really a great dish to use a variety of veggies in – whatever you have on hand!

  1. You are inspiring me to try tofu again – I like it but I never cook it at home, just a couple of times. I love that you crispy baked it! And these noodles…love everything about them. The peanut sauce, veggies and buckwheat noodles…I honestly think I have everything in my pantry to make this plus whatever veggies on hand. YUM!! 🙂

  2. […] Peanut Soba Noodles with Crispy Tofu and Spring Vegetables from Nutritioulicious […]

  3. I don’t think I’ve ever tried soba noodles before. All those veggies on top make it sound yummy, though!

  4. 5 stars
    I haven’t ‘cooked’ with Tofu in years! My family was surprised how good it was! I love the flavours in this dish and I am sure it IS delicious! I will use the cilantro chopped and mixed into the dish — not so much a garnish (but then you know that about me, don’t you!?)

    Re Spring Cleaning.. we just had a snow storm overnight so that activity is probably happening in April!

    1. Hope you make it again soon Carol! I love cilantro mixed in as well, so I’m with you! And yes, I hear you on the spring cleaning. We’re in the midst of a storm right now, no spring in sight!

  5. I can never get my tofu crispy. I’m definitely doing it wrong. I’ll have to do it your way, I bet it’s much better! This looks amazing…

  6. That makes me so hungry! Such a great idea to use peanut sauce. Haven’t heard about before and I’m going to try this one.

  7. 5 stars
    Can you belive I never tried tofu. And just the last week I suggested my hubby we should try tofu for dinner one day, and he agreed we should but I had NO recipe to follow. So I’m definitely saving this. Sounds easy and delicious.

    1. What?! You’re not alone, but I am always amazed when people who are in the food world have never had a certain food (granted, I have never had bacon, but that’s for religious reasons!). I hope you give this tofu recipe a try and make the peanut soba noodles too. Can’t wait to hear how you and your hubby like it!

  8. This looks sooo yummy, I think using tofu is a brilliant idea. Peanut sauces are probably one of my favorites too!

  9. Yum, this looks so delicious! I think my entire family will LOVE it too!!

  10. I have a package of soba noodles I’ve been meaning to use to make something–thank you for the recipe inspiration! :]! These look amazing!

  11. I CANNOT wait to make this!! It looks like it’s bursting with flavor and veggies and goodness 🙂

  12. 5 stars
    I definitely need to up my tofu game and do a better job of making it crispy- sounds like the perfect recipe to help me do that!

    1. This is my go to recipe for tofu Shannon – I have not found a better way to get the texture it needs! Hope you give it a try and enjoy it!

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