How to Cook Shirataki Noodles

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Learn how to cook shirataki noodles, the perfect zero-carb substitute for spaghetti. Pair them with homemade spaghetti sauce for an unbeatable weeknight supper.

How to Cook with Shirataki Noodles (Low Carb, Diabetic Friendly)

Before we get started and I spill the details on how to cook shirataki noodles, I need you to know something. The thing is, I am madly, passionately in love with these tofu shirataki noodles (also known as miracle noodles, konjac noodles, or konnyaku noodles).

I haven’t had pasta, rice, bread, or anything made with flour in 8 weeks. This may sound severe (I know it would have sounded impossible to me if you had told me two months ago), but I can honestly say that I don’t miss bread. After the first couple of days of avoiding it, I quit having cravings of any kind. I also quit feeling actual hunger and started having an energy level that didn’t dip at all during the day. 

But there is one thing I started missing recently and that is pasta. You see, I LOVE Spaghetti. I LOVE stir fry noodles. And I LOVE a big old pasta meal. So I went in search of a low-carb pasta alternative. Fortunately, I got lucky at my local Kroger when I stumbled across shirataki noodles. I found them over in the cooler case in the store’s health food section.

Packed full of nutrition!

Okay, there are many reasons why I love shirataki noodles and you know what? I’m gonna list them to convince you to give ’em a go too!

  • The entire package is 20 calories.
  • Hello, low-carb noodle packet. The carbs, if you are counting net, are actually negative. This also means they’re keto-friendly.
  • They’re diabetic-friendly.
  • They’re gluten-free.

The trick that keeps folks from using these the most is that we just don’t know what to do with them. So today I’m sharing with you how to cook shirataki noodles and let me tell you, it’s as easy as can be. I also share some tips and recipe suggestions. Welcome to the shirataki noodle fan club 😉.

How to Cook with Shirataki Noodles (Low Carb, Diabetic Friendly)

Recipe Ingredients

  • Shirataki noodles

Helpful Kitchen Tools

How to Cook Shirataki Noodles

Rinse noodles before cooking with them.

The first step: give them a jolly good rinse!

These noodles, when you open the package, stink. Now, this has no effect on the flavor but the water they are in smells a bit like sulfur to me.

I am warning you ahead of time because if you have any lightweights in your house who are already complaining about eating “weird” noodles, you don’t want them around until after you have rinsed the noodles because they will use this as their reason not to try them. Hear the struggle behind my words and know that I live with this problem, too.

Anyway, so your first order of business is to dump the noodles in a colander and give them a really good rinse under cold water. 

Cook noodles in a skillet.

After I rinse them, I place the noodles into a large skillet over medium heat or medium-high heat and sauté them for a few minutes to dry them out some.

This is going to be really weird because they don’t stick or anything so you don’t need to spray your pan with anything first. That just felt odd to me.

I just use some tongs to move them around from time to time while the water cooks off. As soon as you’re done with this you’re ready to go!

How do I know I’m done with it, Christy? Well, you get them good and hot, stir them around for a few minutes, and when you’re tired of fooling with it, you’re done.

Shirataki noodles with spaghetti sauce.

Recipe Ideas With Shirataki Noodles

Once they’re nice and cooked as above, here are some shirataki noodles recipe ideas:

Stir-Fry

Add the vegetables of your choice and some cooked meat to the skillet along with soy sauce. You might also like to make teriyaki chicken, pad Thai, veggie lo mein, beef lo mein, or beef and broccoli with shirataki noodles. Just cook the meat and veggies separately before combining them with the shiratake noodles or simply serve them on the bed of noodles.

Pasta

Make my homemade spaghetti sauce (here’s my slow cooker recipe or see the recipe card below). Simply make the sauce and then serve it over the shirataki noodles. Add some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top and you have yourself a delicious meal. Some other pasta suggestions: crockpot Salisbury steak meatballs, pesto chicken pastasummer squash pasta, slow cooker angel chicken pasta, crockpot chicken tetrazzini, and slow cooker pasta fagioli.

Side Dish

Enjoy your tofu shirataki noodles as a side dish. Some main dish suggestions? Lemon parmesan chickencreamed chicken with fresh basil & tomatoes, garden skillet supper, and sheet pan chicken teriyaki

FYI: When making a BIG plate of spaghetti I use two shirataki noodle packages. When making a stir-fry I just use one package. Have a go and see what works for you!

Storage

  • You can store leftover shirataki noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the skillet as directed. 
  • I don’t recommend freezing the noodles. Because there’s so much liquid, they don’t thaw well.

Recipe Notes

Please note that I am referring to this particular brand of noodles, exactly as shown. I have not tried other brands and don’t intend to do so as long as I can get these. They are awesome!

Recipe FAQs

Do shirataki noodles taste like pasta?

I would say shirataki noodles have more of a rice noodle texture than a pasta texture. You know how you can bite into pasta and it just kinda gives way? These have a wee bit more of a chew to them like rice noodles. But if you have cut pasta out of your life or want to, this is an EXCELLENT, life-enhancing, substitution.

Do shirataki noodles need to be boiled?

Once you rinse the noodles, some people do bring them to a boil in a saucepan filled with boiling water for about 3 minutes. Then they drain the noodles, add them to the skillet, and cook them as suggested. I don’t think is mandatory but if you want to, I won’t stop ya!

How long do you cook shirataki noodles?

Shirataki noodles only need to cook for a few minutes.

How do you get water out of shirataki noodles?

Cook shirataki noodles in the skillet as suggested to remove all of the water.

How do you know when shirataki noodles are done?

You’ll know the shirataki noodles are done when there’s no water left in the skillet. They’ll also release a squeaking noise when you stir them.

Looking for another keto recipe or two?

Keto Cornbread

Keto Sausage Balls

Southern Deviled Eggs Recipe (Keto-Friendly)

Keto Chaffle Recipe With Onion Rings

Keto Cornbread Dressing

Shirataki Noodles With Spaghetti Sauce

Learn how to cook shirataki noodles, a zero-carb spaghetti substitute. Pair them with homemade spaghetti sauce for a great weeknight supper.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: spaghetti
Servings: 4
Calories: 188kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 bag shirataki noodles
  • 28 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1-2 cups cooked ground beef

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a saucepot and stir, over medium heat, to bring just to a boil.
    28 ounces tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1-2 cups cooked ground beef
  • Immediately reduce heat and simmer until thickened to your liking. The longer you cook it, the better it will be.
  • Serve over cooked shirataki noodles (see post for details).
    1 bag shirataki noodles

Video

Notes

  • If I want my sauce thickened more quickly, I just make myself a five-minute spaghetti sauce by following this recipe but adding a pinch of Glucomannan before I bring it to a boil. This is a miracle thickener for sauces and such. If you have never used it before, trust me, and start out with just a pinch!
  • Note that this sauce has no sugar in it and just about all store-bought sauces do. That is why I add the extra basil because it is more of a sweet herb to me. If you would like, you can add a tablespoon of Splenda or sugar to this instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

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71 Comments

  1. I’m totally going to search for these noodles this weekend. You know I’ve been working on eating less carbs and I NEED to have some pasta in my life! Like NEED it! So this is going to be awesome.

  2. I would have to say that to me they smell “earthy” or like raw mushrooms. She is right: rinse rinse rinse! The only thing I don’t like about these is that they do not absorb the pasta sauce. I do miss that!

    1. Thank you for a second opinion on the smell! I hope folks read your comment and realize it isn’t that bad (My thoughts on the smell worried a few people):). The last time I made them (two nights ago) I really got them hot in the skillet and got all that excess water out and found my spaghetti sauce stuck to them really really well. I’m so glad you’re a fan of them, too!

  3. Thanks Christy for sharing all the information. I have been wanting to try to lose weight for awhile and flip flop between low calorie and low carb. I get tired of trying to find recipes for low carb and here you are, making it easier on all of us! You are serving a mission, Lady! Any plans for a low carb cookbook in the not so distant future?!

  4. I have been using a similar product called “Miracle Noodle”, which looks like the same type you have. I found them at Sprouts, and they are located on a shelf with the pasta. No refrigeration needed. They do work well in place of pasta, and I’ve lost 45 pounds since starting on low carb. This company also has them available in Spinach, although I haven’t tried them yet.

  5. Christy, I just noticed the section of pie recipes with your picture on the right side of the page. It was apparently taken before your weight loss, and I admit that I had to chuckle at that picture in relationship to pies. Maybe you should use your weight loss picture for the low carb recipes, and the other picture for “everything else”.

    Respectfully chuckling, Retha

  6. Oh my goodness! I am so glad you posted this! I had tried those noodles years ago. I could overlook the smell, but the texture/water content did me in. I am going to try them again with this method and hopefully this will be a much better go-around.

    Thank you!!!

  7. Thank you for sharing. I love your sense of humor. It is always strange , in my opinion, that people seem to find complaints in everything. Your blogs are helpful. You are an inspiration to women. I will try these noodles and pray for success. I am a type 2 diabetic and as I get older it is more difficult to maintain sugar levels. I love pasta and was afraid I would have to give up on it entirely . . . no, I can’t enjoy a few bites. I like a bowl of the stuff! I new God would give me direction. I believe he gave it to me through your blog. Blessing to you and your family.

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