Why We Love This Spicy Dan Dan Noodles Recipe
We love classic Szechuan Dan Dan noodles! Loaded with thin yet tender noodles drenched in a meaty and spicy broth, Dan Dan noodles have a unique flavor profile. Yet there are so many fantastic ways to customize this recipe to fit your tastes. Today we are making Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles with a “twist”… While traditional Dan Dan recipes are made with regular wheat or rice noodles, this amazing one-pot recipe is made low-carb by using konjack noodles instead. These delicious shirataki noodles are made with konjack plant root (AKA konnyaku), and are therefore keto-friendly and totally gluten-free, to boot! The base of the dish is a spicy, bold, and savory noodle broth. Here we use a combination of ground pork, soy sauce, peanut butter, and – of course, plenty of Chinese peppercorns. We also add fresh ginger, and spinach for a pop of bold veggie goodness. All together these low carb Sichuan noodle bowls are bold and flavorful with the tingling heat of Szechuan peppercorns.
Ingredients You Need
Konjac noodles – Also known as shirataki noodles or “miracle noodles” Ground pork – or ground turkey Sesame oil – or other high-heat and neutral-tasting cooking oil, like canola or avocado oil Ginger – freshly grated Garlic – minced Szechuan peppercorns – add more or less to taste Cooking sherry – adds a delicious tanginess to the sauce (or a splash of rice vinegar) Soy sauce – regular or low-sodium Peanut butter – smooth and creamy is best (or tahini paste) Light brown sugar – has a mellow caramel flavor (versus dark brown sugar) Ground Chinese five spice – a classic blend of star anise, cinnamon, ground cloves, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds Chicken broth – regular or low-sodium Spinach – fresh baby leaves (or mustard greens or bok choy) Scallions – chopped, white and greens separated Peanuts – roasted
Pro Tip: Konjac noodles, Chinese peppercorns, and Chinese five ppice can all be found at a local Asian market and many large chain grocery stores. You can also order these ingredients online!
How to Make Szechuan Noodles
Set out a wok or a large cast-iron sauté pan. Prepare the ingredients: Drain the konjac noodles in a colander and set aside. Chop the green onions and then divide them into two piles, whites and greens. Grate the fresh ginger and mince the garlic. Use a mortar and pestle to crush the Szechuan peppercorns. Alternatively, place them in a freezer bag and pound them with a rolling pin. Roughly chop the peanuts. Preheat the pan to medium-high heat, then add the sesame oil. Once hot, add in the onion whites, ginger, garlic, and Szechuan peppercorns. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the onions. Then add the ground pork. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as you cook and brown the meat for 5-8 minutes. Once the meat is finely minced into small pieces and well cooked, add in the cooking sherry, soy sauce, peanut butter, brown sugar, and Chinese five spice. Stir the sauce mixture into the pork. Then add the chicken broth. Stir and simmer the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes. Then stir in the drained konjack noodles and spinach. Turn off the heat. Then stir again to warm the noodles.
Serving Suggestions
Scoop the noodles and sauce into bowls and garnish with the scallion greens and roasted peanuts. These Szechuan noodle bowls are an entire meal in themselves. However, for an even heartier dinner you might consider pairing it with steamed white rice or low-carb Cauliflower Rice. Dan Dan noodles are also delicious with other Chinese-inspired dishes! Enjoy a bowl with classic Dumplings, or Paleo Potstickers, Egg Drop Soup or Zesty Wor Wonton Soup, or simple and nutritious Super Greens (our Panda Express copycat recipe).
Recipe Variations
Noodles – feel free to use traditional wheat noodles if low-carb isn’t a concern. Cook them according to the package instructions before adding to the meat sauce. Meat – swap ground pork for ground turkey or ground chicken Vegetarian – skip the meat altogether – or use your favorite plant-based alternative – and swap chicken for vegetable broth Soy sauce – you can use coconut aminos instead, but note that the flavor of the dish will be slightly sweeter Without alcohol – swap cooking sherry for rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar to make the recipe nonalcoholic Non-spicy – make this a mild noodles recipe by reducing or omitting the Sichuan peppercorns
Looking for More Easy One-Pot Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
Sukiyaki Recipe with Pork Easy Instant Pot Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta Thai Shrimp Curry Noodle Bowls Asian Meatballs with Edamame Sheet Pan Mongolian Beef
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