Instant Pot Asian Garlic Noodles: Your Weeknight Umami Miracle Meal

Instant Pot Asian Garlic Noodles

Introduction

There’s a reason Instant Pot Asian Garlic Noodles are a weeknight favorite: they deliver bold umami flavor in record time, thanks to the magic of pressure cooking. Chewy noodles are coated in a garlic-rich, slightly sweet and savory sauce, with an irresistible aroma that makes this dish impossible to resist. Perfect for a quick dinner or a satisfying lunch, these noodles rival your favorite takeout—minus the wait.

Why These Asian Garlic Noodles Stand Out

This recipe strikes a balance between rich, garlicky goodness and classic Asian flavors like soy sauce, sesame, and a touch of brown sugar. Cooking in the Instant Pot not only shaves off hands-on time but ensures every noodle soaks up maximum flavor for a satisfying, one-pot meal. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable: toss in cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu for extra protein, or load it up with your favorite steamed veggies.

The Secret to Flavorful Garlic Noodles

The foundation of this dish is the garlic, but how it’s prepped matters: thin slices give a mellow bite, while minced garlic adds punch. For true depth of flavor, sauté your garlic in the Instant Pot first, using the ‘Sauté’ mode before cooking the noodles.

A quality Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper can make swift work of prepping aromatics, saving time and producing perfectly sized garlic or green onion slices.

Cooking Noodles the Easy Way in Your Instant Pot

The best part? The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting. Rigatoni, linguine, or spaghetti noodles all work—just break them in half to fit and ensure even cooking. After sautéing, nestle the noodles into the pot and cover with broth and sauce ingredients. Pressure cook for a few minutes, and you’re rewarded with beautifully saucy, tender noodles.
If you’re new to pressure cooking, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart is a must-have for effortless meals.

Finishing Touches and Serving Suggestions

Once pressure is released, add toppings for crunch, zest, or heat: consider scallions, chili flakes, toasted sesame seeds, or a squeeze of lime for brightness. For an elevated touch, spiralized carrots, bell peppers, or julienned cucumber add color and freshness—easily prepped with a Mueller Pro-Series Vegetable Chopper.

Serve up noodles in a roomy Bentgo Salad Container for lunch-on-the-go, or portion leftovers in a Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container for super-fresh meal preps.

Nutritional Info and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty servings. Each bowl comes in at roughly 400–450 calories (without added protein), depending on the noodle type and sauce: a deliciously satisfying meal with less oil and sodium than takeout!

Instant Pot Asian Garlic Noodles Recap

With deep umami flavors, a garlicky punch, and just one pot to clean, these Instant Pot Asian Garlic Noodles are a fast, flavorful solution to dinner or lunch cravings. Perfect for satisfying a crowd or meal prepping for the week ahead.

Ingredients

8 oz linguine or spaghetti, broken in half
2 tbsp unsalted butter
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or finely minced
3 green onions, sliced (plus more for garnish)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
2 cups low-sodium broth (vegetable or chicken)
Optional: 1 tsp chili garlic sauce for heat
Garnishes: toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, lime wedges
Add-ins: cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu (optional)

Instructions

  1. Set your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart to ‘Sauté.’ Melt butter, then add garlic and the white parts of green onions. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Add in soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Stir to combine for 30 seconds.
  3. Pour in broth and deglaze the bottom. Layer the broken noodles in a criss-cross pattern to prevent sticking, pressing gently into the liquid.
  4. Secure the lid and set to ‘Pressure Cook’ (Manual) on high for 5 minutes. When done, carefully perform a quick release.
  5. Open the lid, toss noodles well, coating them in the sauce. If adding cooked protein or veggies, do so now, tossing until heated through and evenly combined.
  6. Serve hot, topped with additional green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy straight away or pack in a Bentgo Salad Container for a next-day meal.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

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