Tahini Noodles and Chilli Garlic Broccoli

Tahini noodles and chilli garlic broccoli bring together the best of bold flavours and satisfying textures. Creamy, nutty tahini coats silky noodles, while tenderstem broccoli, infused with garlic and chilli, adds a fresh and spicy contrast. This dish works beautifully as a quick midweek meal, a meal-prep lunch, or a side to complement your favourite protein. Whether served hot or cold, it’s one of those recipes you’ll return to again and again.

Table of Contents:

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Why Soba Noodles Work So Well in This Dish
• Tips on Cooking the Broccoli Just Right
• The Role of Tahini: More Than Just a Sauce
• Hot or Cold? The Versatility of Tahini Noodles and Chilli Garlic Broccoli
• How to Pair Tahini Noodles and Chilli Garlic Broccoli

Ingredient Breakdown

• Tenderstem broccoli: Fresh, slightly sweet, and tender with a natural crunch.
• Soy sauce: Adds depth, umami, and saltiness to balance the flavours.
• Toasted sesame oil: Nutty and fragrant, it enhances both the broccoli and noodles.
• Sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the savoury elements.
• Red chilli: Brings gentle heat and vibrancy.
• Garlic: Infuses the broccoli with rich, aromatic flavour.
• Vegetable oil: Helps with even cooking and enhances the crispiness.
• Water: Aids in steaming the broccoli to perfection.
• Soba noodles: Nutty, slightly chewy, and perfect for soaking up the sauce.
• Tahini: The star ingredient in the sauce, adding creaminess and depth.
• Rice vinegar: A hint of acidity to cut through the richness.
• Chilli oil: Introduces a subtle warmth without overpowering.
• Sesame seeds: A final garnish that adds texture and a toasty flavour.

Why Soba Noodles Work So Well in This Dish

Soba noodles bring a unique depth to this recipe, making them the ideal choice for pairing with tahini sauce. Made from buckwheat, soba noodles have a slightly nutty flavour that complements the creamy, earthy tahini. Their light yet chewy texture allows them to absorb the sauce beautifully without becoming heavy or clumpy.

Another advantage of soba noodles is their versatility. When cooking soba, rinsing them under cold water after draining is essential as it stops the cooking process and removes excess starch, preventing them from sticking together. This step ensures that each strand remains separate, making the final dish smoother and more enjoyable.

For a twist, you can swap soba for rice noodles, udon, or even whole wheat spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand. However, soba’s slightly toasty and earthy profile makes it the best match for tahini’s richness.

Tips on Cooking the Broccoli Just Right

Cooking broccoli properly makes all the difference in this dish. The goal is to achieve a tender-crisp texture with a lightly charred exterior that enhances its natural sweetness. To do this, start by heating a pan over medium-high heat and allowing the broccoli to sear undisturbed for a few minutes. This caramelisation deepens the flavour while ensuring an appealing bite.

Adding water towards the end of cooking is a simple but essential technique. It helps steam the broccoli slightly, keeping it tender without losing its freshness. Once the water evaporates, the chilli garlic sauce is introduced, coating the broccoli in layers of umami, spice, and aroma.

The combination of garlic and red chilli is what gives the broccoli its addictive quality. Garlic adds an earthy, savoury depth, while the red chilli brings just the right level of heat. If you prefer milder spice, removing the seeds from the chilli will create a gentler warmth without losing the flavour.

The Role of Tahini: More Than Just a Sauce

Tahini is often associated with hummus, but it does so much more. In this dish, tahini acts as the creamy base for the sauce, coating each noodle in a rich, nutty layer of flavour. It has a natural bitterness that pairs well with the savoury notes of soy sauce and the slight sweetness of sugar. Unlike dairy-based sauces, tahini is naturally plant-based, making it a great option for vegan dishes without sacrificing creaminess.

The tahini sauce is what makes these noodles stand out. Rich, creamy, and deeply nutty, it clings to the noodles beautifully, delivering a silky-smooth texture in every bite. Tahini can sometimes thicken too much when combined with other ingredients, so adding a little water ensures the sauce stays pourable and coats the noodles evenly.

Balancing the flavours in the sauce is crucial. Soy sauce provides saltiness, rice vinegar adds a welcome tang, and a touch of sugar rounds everything out. Chilli oil introduces a subtle warmth, making the sauce even more irresistible.

When tossing the noodles with the sauce, it helps to do this over low heat in a sauté pan. This allows the flavours to meld together without drying out the sauce. If the noodles seem too sticky, a splash of warm water will help loosen them while keeping the texture smooth and glossy.

Hot or Cold? The Versatility of Tahini Noodles and Chilli Garlic Broccoli

One of the best things about this dish is how adaptable it is. Served hot, the noodles are warm and comforting, with the tahini sauce becoming even creamier as it heats. The chilli garlic broccoli, still slightly crisp, provides a satisfying contrast.

When served cold, the dish transforms into a refreshing and light meal. The tahini sauce thickens slightly, creating a noodle salad-style dish that’s perfect for meal prep. Chilling the broccoli intensifies its garlicky, spicy notes, making it a great addition to lunchboxes or picnic spreads.

If making this in advance, store the noodles and broccoli separately and toss them together just before serving. This keeps the textures at their best, ensuring the noodles don’t absorb too much sauce overnight.

How to Pair Tahini Noodles and Chilli Garlic Broccoli

This dish works wonderfully on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of proteins and sides. Here are some great options to serve alongside:

• Tofu: Crispy or marinated tofu complements the creamy noodles and spicy broccoli.
• Grilled chicken: A simple, lightly seasoned chicken breast adds protein without overpowering the dish.
• Salmon: The richness of salmon pairs well with the nutty tahini and vibrant chilli.
• Edamame: A side of lightly salted edamame beans boosts protein and freshness.
• Pickled vegetables: A side of quick-pickled cucumbers or radishes provides a refreshing contrast.

For extra texture, you can sprinkle crushed peanuts or cashews over the finished dish. A squeeze of fresh lime juice also brightens the flavours, especially when served cold.

More Noodle Recipes

If you’re a fan of noodles, you’re in for a treat! Here are some of my favourite noodle recipes, each packed with bold flavours and fresh ingredients:

• Teriyaki Chicken Noodles: A quick and satisfying dish with tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and noodles coated in a sticky teriyaki sauce.
• Saucy Mushroom Noodles: Hearty noodles tossed in a rich mushroom sauce, filled with umami goodness and perfect for a comforting meal.
• Spicy Pork Noodles: A spicy, Korean-inspired noodle dish inspired by japchae, a delicious sweet potato noodle stir fry, and jeyuk bokkeum, spicy stir fried pork.
• Sichuan Tahini Noodles: Creamy tahini paired with spicy Sichuan flavours in a beautifully balanced noodle dish that brings together nuttiness and heat.
• Spicy Sesame Noodles: Noodles coated in a spicy sesame sauce.

These recipes are perfect for noodle lovers looking for something quick, delicious, and packed with flavour. Explore more over on my Instagram!