Buttered Shirataki Noodles - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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This detailed shirataki noodles recipe will teach you how to make the most of them.

Simply buttered and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, they are absolutely delicious!

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When my husband and I embarked on a low-carb diet in 2011, I immediately started looking for recipes to replace our favorite foods. Not surprisingly, a pasta substitute was high on the list!

Several low-carb alternatives to traditional pasta exist, such as hearts of palm pasta, zucchini noodles, and spaghetti squash. Shirataki noodles are another excellent option. When cooked properly and buttered, they are delicious!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Noodle Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Reviews

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these noodles. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Shirataki noodles: I use angel hair noodles in this recipe. I don't recommend using fettuccine shirataki. I tried those, and they had a more rubbery mouthfeel than noodle hair shirataki.
  • Unsalted butter: A rich, European-style butter such as Kerrygold is best in this simple recipe.
  • Grated parmesan: It's best to use finely grated parmesan and not coarsely shredded cheese.
  • Seasonings: Kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Variations

  • To make this dish a complete meal, add a cup of cooked and flaked salmon (use this baked salmon recipe) or cooked and shredded chicken (use this baked chicken breast recipe).
  • For a truly decadent experience, add two strips of cooked and crumbled bacon (microwave bacon is fast and easy).
  • You can also add a cup of veggies such as mushrooms or spinach. I recommend cooking them separately and then mixing them into the noodles. These sauteed mushrooms are lovely, and so is this recipe for sauteed spinach.
  • Add more spices or herbs. I sometimes add a pinch of dried thyme or oregano. My husband likes to sprinkle red pepper flakes on his noodles. He uses a lot, but I suggest starting with a pinch.

Instructions

I consider this an easy recipe despite having several steps. The detailed instructions for cooking shirataki noodles are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of the steps:

You start by rinsing the noodles and boiling them. Don't be deterred by their fishy smell when you open the bag! After you rinse and pan-fry them in a dry pan, that smell will disappear.

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Drain the noodles and dry-roast them in a hot skillet.

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Add the butter and mix to coat. Then, mix in the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

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Your final step is to turn the heat off, sprinkle the noodles with grated parmesan, and serve.

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Expert Tips

  • Don't skip rinsing and draining the noodles, boiling them, and toasting them in a dry skillet. These steps are important. They eliminate the noodles' fishy smell and rubbery texture and help them better absorb sauces.
  • Shirataki noodles are not for everyone. I suggest you start with a small amount and see how you react.
  • I started making this recipe in 2014. As I write this update ten years later, in 2024, I am happy to report that a recent package of Miracle Noodles did not have a fishy smell. The package still recommends rinsing the noodles, and I still recommend boiling them for the best texture. But the experience has become significantly more pleasant.
  • Miracle Noodles come in three shapes - fettuccine, spaghetti, and angel hair, as shown in the photo below. I highly recommend using angel hair shirataki in this recipe.
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Recipe FAQs

What are shirataki noodles?

They are traditional Japanese noodles made from konjac root. They are basically made of fiber and water, so they contain no calories or carbs.

Do these noodles taste good?

They have no flavor, making them ideal for absorbing soups and sauces. If you prepare them correctly, mix them with a sauce, or add them to a soup, they make a good substitute for pasta and noodles.

However, do not expect them to taste like real pasta- that would be impossible. Instead, consider them a good substitute for anyone on a keto, low-carb, or low-calorie diet.

How do I make them less chewy?

You have to boil them. As tempting as it might be, don't skip this step. Boiling helps improve their texture by making them less chewy and rubbery.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve these noodles as a side dish. They go well with almost any main course, including broiled chicken breast, parmesan-crusted chicken, grilled salmon, and turkey meatballs.

I also like to add these noodles, plain, to chicken broth to make it more substantial and filling.

As mentioned above, you can turn these noodles into a main course by adding a cooked protein such as grilled shrimp, grilled salmon, or poached eggs.

Storing Leftovers

I rarely have leftovers. I typically make one serving and proceed to polish it off. 🙂 If you have leftovers, keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power.

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More Noodle Recipes

  • Shirataki Sesame Noodles
  • Spaghetti Squash Noodles
  • Zucchini Noodles

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Recipe Card

Buttered Shirataki Noodles - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

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Buttered Shirataki Noodles

This detailed shirataki noodles recipe will teach you how to make the most of these noodles. Simply buttered, they are delicious!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1 serving

Calories: 151kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Measure out your butter and parmesan, and mix the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl.

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  • Using scissors, open the package of shirataki noodles and pour its contents into a colander. Ignore the slightly fishy smell - it will disappear after you boil and toast the noodles. Rinse the noodles under cold running water for a full minute. If the noodles are very long, cut them in half with clean kitchen scissors.

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  • The water in the saucepan should be boiling by now. Transfer the noodles to the boiling water, bring the water back to a boil, and boil the noodles for 3 minutes. While the noodles cook, heat a clean, dry, medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat.

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  • Pour the cooked noodles back into the colander and drain well. Transfer the noodles to the hot skillet and dry-roast them (adding no oil to the skillet), stirring, for 1-2 minutes, until they are visibly dry and make a squeaking sound when moved in the skillet. This step will eliminate some of their rubbery texture and help them better absorb the sauce.

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  • Add the butter to the skillet. Thoroughly mix it into the shirataki, coating the noodles evenly. The noodles look much better now. They started out translucent-white and slimy, turned into a more opaque white after dry-roasting, and now, covered in butter, they are golden and smell great!

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  • Add the salt, pepper, and garlic powder, mixing them evenly into the noodles. Turn the heat off and mix in the parmesan. Serve immediately.

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Video

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Notes

  • Shirataki noodles are not for everyone. I suggest you start with a small amount and see how you react.
  • A rich, European-style butter likeKerrygoldis best in this simple recipe.
  • You really do need to rinse and drain the noodles, boil them, and toast them in a dry skillet. These steps are important. They remove the noodles' fishy smell and rubbery texture and help them better absorb sauces.
  • I rarely have leftovers. I typically make one serving and proceed to polish it off. 🙂 If you have leftovers, keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power

Nutrition per Serving

Calories: 151 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 14 g | Saturated Fat: 9 g | Sodium: 468 mg

About the Author

Buttered Shirataki Noodles - Healthy Recipes Blog (21) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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Buttered Shirataki Noodles - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to eat shirataki noodles every day? ›

There are other reasons you might not want to eat shirataki noodles daily: Drops in blood sugar: Because glucomannan fiber lowers blood sugar, people who take insulin or other diabetes medications may develop severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Are shirataki noodles really healthy? ›

Shirataki noodles are fiber-rich noodles that may have some health benefits, such as helping people maintain a moderate weight and improving digestive health. They are low in calories and carbohydrates, and free from common allergens.

Why can't I digest shirataki noodles? ›

For some, the glucomannan in shirataki noodles may cause mild digestive issues, such as loose stools, bloating, and flatulence ( 28 ). More serious side effects have also been reported, especially when shirataki noodles are consumed in large amounts.

How to make shirataki noodles less rubbery? ›

Drain the noodles, place in a hot dry pan and cook on high for about 10 minutes. This is a crucial step as it will improve the texture and make it less chewy and rubbery.

Should I refrigerate shirataki noodles? ›

You may store your Miracle Noodles/Rice in the pantry as they are shelf stable. Refrigerating them is also an option. DO NOT freeze them as this will make the noodles/rice inedible. Once the bag is opened and you decide to only eat half a bag, place the unprepared portion in water in a sealed container and refrigerate.

Are konjac noodles the same as shirataki? ›

Both are made from the konjac potato, the only difference between them being the shape: konjac comes in a rectangular block and shirataki are shaped like noodles. Because of their lack of taste and smell and their jelly-like consistency, konjac and shirataki have never been popular anywhere but Japan.

What are the cons of shirataki? ›

However, Shirataki noodles have very few micronutrients. It may be as beneficial as glucomannan, but it expands rapidly and may absorb up to 50 times its weight in water, which may cause discomfort.

Can you eat shirataki noodles without cooking them? ›

But they don't have to be cooked. They can be added straight into a cold summer salad, stir fry, or broth. The slippery, rubbery texture of shirataki noodles, coupled with the fact that they have no flavor, may not sound appealing, and it's true that shirataki noodles will not be to everyone's liking.

Are shirataki noodles a processed food? ›

Konjac is processed and refined into a flour called glucomannan flour. The glucomannan flour (3%) is mixed with water (97%), boiled and used to make shirataki in the same way that industrial pasta is made.

Do shirataki noodles make you gassy? ›

If you are unused to consuming a lot of fiber, you may experience some gas, bloating, or loose stool after you eat shirataki noodles. Usually, as you transition to a higher fiber regimen, these symptoms will improve.

Why do shirataki noodles smell fishy? ›

Yes, it does smell fishy even though it does not contain any fish. The fishy odour is due to the Calcium hydroxide as a coagulant agent in the manufacturing process.

Do you rinse shirataki noodles before cooking? ›

Remove the noodles from the package, place in a colander and rinse under cold water. Boil and drain noodles. Place the drained noodles BACK INTO THE POT, with the heat on medium, and dry-fry them until you remove the excess moisture.

How do you make shirataki noodles absorb flavor? ›

The shirataki will release quite a lot of liquid as they are stored in water, so take a minute to cook off the liquid until the pan is dry. Add a tablespoon of sake, a teaspoon of soy sauce (or more to taste), and continue cooking until the shirataki has absorbed the seasonings.

Do shirataki noodles go bad? ›

It is shelf stable for a year and can extend beyond its expiry date once refrigerated and as long as the noodles inside are still intact.

Are shirataki noodles too good to be true? ›

The Bottom Line

While it may sound too good to be true, it is possible to eat noodles that are low in calories, low in carbs and gluten-free.

What is the healthiest noodle? ›

Rice noodles are often considered one of the healthiest options available. They are naturally gluten-free, low in fat, and easy to digest. P'Nut Asian Kitchen incorporates rice noodles into many of their dishes, including the popular Pad Thai and Wonton Noodle Soup.

Why do people eat shirataki noodles? ›

A traditional Japanese food, shirataki is the ultimate gluten-free, low calorie noodle alternative. Made from Konnyaku or Konjac, an Asian yam, these noodles are low in carbs and calories, making them ideal for those who are diabetic, watching their weight, or have gluten sensitivity.

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