If you’re craving that addictively savory, garlicky noodle magic but want it fast and fuss-free, these Instant Pot Garlic Noodles are your weeknight hero. Picture: slurpable noodles coated in glossy, savory sauce, loads of fresh garlic, and just the right spicy kick—all in under 15 minutes, thanks to your electric pressure cooker. Dinner bliss, guaranteed!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Quick & Easy: From start to finish, Instant Pot Garlic Noodles are table-ready in just 15 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
- Maximum Flavor, Minimal Effort: You get bold garlic, sweet and savory notes, and a gentle chili heat—with nearly zero prep.
- Totally Customizable: Toss in veggies, protein, or turn up the spice to match your mood or pantry.
- One-Pot Clean-Up: No straining or fuss—everything cooks together in the Instant Pot so your sink stays clean.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Instant Pot Garlic Noodles is how each simple ingredient plays a starring role. Every element—from the fresh garlic to the savory sauces—layers in flavor, aroma, and just the right texture to make this dish totally crave-able!
- Neutral Oil or Butter: Provides a luscious base for sautéing garlic and brings out that comforting mouthfeel.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Just a drizzle deepens the noodles with irresistible nutty warmth.
- Thin Spaghetti or Canton Noodles: Either works! They soak up all that garlicky goodness and turn silky in the Instant Pot.
- Fresh Garlic: The star of the show, bringing bold aroma and major flavor—don’t hold back!
- Scallions (Green Onion): Use both the white and green parts for delicate oniony crunch and a pop of color.
- Light Soy Sauce: Delivers salty depth and classic umami.
- Oyster Sauce: Adds a sweet-savory richness (vegan versions are welcome, too).
- Red Chili Sauce (like Sambal Oelek): For a touch of heat—add more or less to taste.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the salty and spicy notes with a subtle caramel sweetness.
- Vegetable Broth or Water: Infuses the noodles as they cook, ensuring they’re tender and flavorful (broth packs extra punch!).
- Salt: To fine-tune all the savory flavors just right.
- Sesame Seeds: For a little crunch and a finishing flourish!
Variations
One of the best things about Instant Pot Garlic Noodles is their versatility! Feel free to riff on the basic recipe—switch up flavors, sneak in extra veggies, or adapt it to fit your dietary lifestyle. Here are some creative spins to get you started:
- Make it Vegan: Use a plant-based oyster sauce or sub with mushroom soy sauce—your noodles will still be packed with umami.
- Add Protein: Stir in cooked tofu, chicken, shrimp, or even a soft-boiled egg for extra heartiness.
- Boost the Veggies: Toss in bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas, or spinach for more crunch and color.
- Turn Up the Heat: Add extra chili sauce or a dash of cracked pepper if you like it extra spicy!
- Try Different Noodles: Rice noodles, lo mein, or egg noodles all work beautifully for a fun twist.
How to Make Instant Pot Garlic Noodles
Step 1: Sauté the Garlic and Scallions
Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add both the neutral oil (or butter) and the toasted sesame oil. Once shimmering, add the finely minced garlic and the white parts of the scallions. Let them sizzle, stirring constantly, just until fragrant—about a minute, tops! Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn, which can make it taste bitter. Turn off the Sauté function as soon as everything smells heavenly.
Step 2: Layer in the Noodles and Flavors
Break the thin spaghetti or Canton noodles in half and layer them into the pot in a crisscross or zigzag pattern. This keeps them from sticking. Next, pour the soy sauce, oyster sauce, red chili sauce, and brown sugar over the noodles, distributing everything as evenly as possible for maximum flavor in every bite!
Step 3: Add Broth and Pressure Cook
Carefully pour in your vegetable broth or water, using a spoon to gently press down the noodles so they’re mostly covered by liquid. Lid on, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. The magic here is that the noodles absorb all those savory flavors as they cook—no need to boil water separately or babysit a pot!
Step 4: Quick Release and Fluff
When the timer beeps, perform a quick pressure release. Carefully open the lid—watch for the escaping steam!—and give everything a good toss to evenly coat the noodles in sauce. Let the noodles rest for two minutes with the lid off so they soak up every last drop of flavor.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Taste and adjust salt if needed, then top with the vibrant green scallion tops and a shower of sesame seeds. Your Instant Pot Garlic Noodles are ready for their big moment—just scoop, serve, and get ready for the compliments.
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Garlic Noodles
- Maximize Garlic Flavor: Use freshly minced garlic, and add one extra clove if you’re as garlic-obsessed as I am—the flavor deepens beautifully in the Instant Pot!
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Five minutes at high pressure is just right—any longer and the noodles can turn mushy, so stick with the recipe timing for that perfect al dente bite.
- Zigzag the Spaghetti: Crisscross the pasta when layering to help prevent sticking in the pot and ensure even cooking throughout.
- Finishing Touch Matters: Always add the green scallions and sesame seeds at the end; this keeps them vibrant and fresh instead of soggy or bland!
How to Serve Instant Pot Garlic Noodles
Garnishes
Give your noodles restaurant-style flair with a sprinkle of fresh scallion greens, a scattering of toasted sesame seeds, and maybe even a drizzle of extra sesame oil or chili crisp for a touch of shine and heat. These last-minute additions both brighten and deepen the flavors in every bowl.
Side Dishes
Instant Pot Garlic Noodles are delicious on their own, but if you like variety, try them with crisp sautéed bok choy, pan-fried tofu, steamed broccoli, or garlicky green beans. They also pair beautifully with Asian-style grilled chicken or shrimp skewers for a more filling meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your noodles in individual bowls with little “nests” of noodles and let everyone customize with toppings—think crushed peanuts, lime wedges, or extra herbs. Or, for family-style meals, pile them onto a large platter sprinkled with colorful veggies for a wow-factor centerpiece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Instant Pot Garlic Noodles keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors get even more cozy and rich overnight, so don’t worry about making a bigger batch!
Freezing
While you can freeze these noodles, expect them to soften a bit upon thawing. If you do freeze, use a sturdy, freezer-safe container, and enjoy within one month for the best flavor and texture. Just know fresh is always best for that perfect noodle bite.
Reheating
To reheat, splash a tablespoon or two of water or broth over the noodles, then microwave in short bursts, stirring between rounds, until hot. This helps rehydrate the noodles and brings your Instant Pot Garlic Noodles back to just-made glory!
FAQs
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Can I make Instant Pot Garlic Noodles gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free spaghetti or rice noodles, and make sure to choose gluten-free soy and oyster sauces. Adjust the Instant Pot cook time if using delicate noodles—start with a minute or two less and check for doneness.
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What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
You can still make garlic noodles on the stove! Sauté the garlic and scallions in a large skillet, add cooked noodles, then toss with the sauces and a splash of broth to coat, heating through before serving. It’s a few more dishes, but every bit as tasty.
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How spicy are these noodles?
With the suggested amount of chili sauce, Instant Pot Garlic Noodles have a gentle kick that even spice-shy eaters enjoy. You can always increase or decrease the chili sauce to match your heat preference—or leave it out altogether for a mild version.
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Can I double the recipe in my Instant Pot?
Yes! Double all the ingredients, but keep the cooking time the same. Just make sure you don’t fill your pot above the maximum fill line, and give the noodles a good stir before serving to ensure they’re evenly coated and cooked.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a no-fuss, flavor-packed dinner that’ll leave everyone reaching for seconds, give these Instant Pot Garlic Noodles a try. They’re pure comfort in a bowl, endlessly customizable, and so easy you might just make them weekly—so go ahead and treat yourself (and everyone at your table) tonight!
Print
Instant Pot Garlic Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Instant Pot garlic noodles are quick, flavorful, and a perfect dish for busy weeknights. With a delicious garlic-infused sauce, these noodles are sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
For the Garlic Noodles:
- 2 tablespoon Oil or Butter (I used avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
- 8 ounces Thin Spaghetti or Canton Noodles
- 8–10 cloves Garlic, finely diced or minced
- 2 Scallion or Green onion, white and green parts separated, chopped
- 2 tablespoon Light Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce (use vegan if needed)
- 1/2–1 tablespoon Red Chili Sauce (I used Sambal Oelek)
- 1 teaspoon Brown Sugar
- 2 cups Vegetable Broth or Water
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the Instant Pot: Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode. Add oil and toasted sesame oil. Saute garlic and white part of scallions until fragrant.
- Prepare the Noodles: Break spaghetti in half and place them in a zigzag pattern in the Instant Pot. Top with soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili sauce, and brown sugar.
- Cook the Noodles: Add broth, ensuring noodles are covered with liquid. Pressure cook for 5 minutes. Quick release pressure, stir, and let rest for 2 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Adjust salt to taste. Garnish with green part of scallions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- You can customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili sauce used.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the oyster sauce is vegan-friendly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
