How To Use Rice Noodles

Learning How To Use Rice Noodles opens up a world of possibilities for gluten free cooks. Commonly used in Asian cuisine rice vermicelli is the filling in those fresh tasting Vietnamese Salad Rolls, while wider noodles are more common in dishes like Thailand’s famous Pad Thai.

These are two well-known dishes you can make at home and this is only the beginning. Welcome to the world of rice noodles.

Buying and Storing Rice Noodles

White rice noodles are used extensively in Asian cuisine and deserve a place in every gluten free pantry. I can buy fresh rice noodles but I prefer the convenience of dried noodles. They are available in a variety of widths broadly classified as thin, medium and wide. In my pantry I always keep two widths; thin vermicelli noodles to make soups and salads plus one wider variety for stir-fry recipes.

Rice noodles are also called rice sticks, vermicelli and other variations of these words. The noodles are naturally gluten free with a typical ingredient list of rice flour and water. Vermicelli actually refers to the width of the noodle rather than the flour it is made of. You can buy wheat noodles called vermicelli but Asian recipes calling for vermicelli generally mean rice vermicelli.

If possible I buy the wider rice noodles in packages I can use for one meal. I just open the whole package into a large bowl and pour the water on top.

How to Store Vermicelli Noodles

Thin vermicelli noodles however, come in large packages that need to be opened and separated to get the amount you need. When you take them out of the package they break and fly onto the kitchen floor so here is my solution to this problem.

To avoid having broken noodles flying all over the kitchen try this. Transfer the whole package of thin rice vermicelli noodles into an extra large resealable plastic bag. To use them pull off as many noodles as you need right inside the bag. When the bag is empty discard the broken pieces at the bottom or use them up in soup.

Watch How To Use Rice Noodles on YouTube

this gluten free recipe

Buying and Storing Bean Thread Noodles

Although these are not rice noodles they are gluten free noodles and can be purchased in Asian stores alongside the rice noodles. Bean thread noodles are made from mung bean starch alone or combined with potato starch. These translucent noodles go by many names; bean threads, mung bean threads, glass noodles, cellophane noodles, transparent noodles and Chinese vermicelli.

Unlike rice noodles, bean thread noodles are tough and difficult to cut or break in their dried state. For that reason they are sold in packages containing several small bundles like skeins of wool, making it easy to remove a single bundle for use.

Buying and Storing Rice Paper Wraps

Rice Paper Wrappers are made from a mixture of rice flour, tapioca starch, water and salt that is then rolled and dried into very brittle, thin shapes. The round papers are used for salad rolls and spring rolls, while the triangular ones are traditionally used at the table to wrap grilled foods. The wrappers are sold in plastic containers and should be stored flat in that container. If you live in a humid climate you could place that container in an airtight plastic bag as well. If the container is left open the wrappers will curl up around the edges and loose their shape.

How To Use Rice Noodles

Cooking instructions for rice noodles vary quite a bit and according to some, overcooking them is the greatest error a cook can make. I have both overcooked and undercooked rice noodles many times but I can always eat what I make. It just takes practice to figure out when your noodles are cooked.

Method 1: Soften Rice Noodles in Boiling Water

This is my preferred method for cooking rice noodles. They always seem a little under done with the tap water method.

1. Place rice noodles in large bowl. Cover with boiling water and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Five minutes is good if the noodles will get additional cooking time in a stir-fry. Eight to ten minutes is best for a noodle bowl or cold salad where there will be no further cooking. The time varies depending on the thickness of the noodles so just taste them and decide what you call cooked.
3. Noodles can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated.

Method 2: Soften Rice Noodles in Tap Water

Many recipes call for soaking the noodles in warm water for 15-20 minutes to avoid over cooking. I get better results using the boiled water method above so just try both methods and see what works best in your kitchen.

Deep Fry Rice Noodles in Oil

Dry rice vermicelli noodles puff up when deep-fried and can be used as a garnish on salads. Simply toss them into hot oil and watch them instantly puff up. Turn them over to cook the other side for a few seconds then transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Use within a few days.

How To Use Bean Thread Noodles

Bean thread noodles take slightly longer to cook than rice noodles and need to be softened in boiling water.

1. Place bean thread noodles in a large bowl. Cover with boiling water and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. After soaking cut noodles into shorter lengths with kitchen scissors and use in soup or stir-fry dishes.

Deep Fry Bean Thread Noodles

Bean thread noodles puff up when deep-fried and turn a brilliant white colour. Toss the noodles into hot oil and watch them instantly puff up. Turn them over to cook the other side for a few seconds and remove to a paper towel lined plate. I use these crunchy noodles for an impressive garnish on salads. They are best eaten the day they are fried.

How To Use Rice Paper Wraps

Soften sheets of rice paper one at a time in a shallow bowl of hot tap water. Slip the wrapper into the water for less than a minute until it becomes flexible enough to work with. Place the wrap on the counter or a cutting board and add a small amount of filling on the bottom third of the wrap. Fold the bottom up to cover the filling. Next fold the two sides into the middle and finally roll the filling up until you have a small sausage-shaped salad roll. As you make salad rolls the water cools so half way through the process I empty the bowl of water and start with fresh hot water.

Expect some wraps to tear as you learn to roll them. Once you’ve mastered the technique you can use different fillings and even deep-fry them for a gluten free spring roll.

Let me know in the comments below if I inspired you to try a new dish using rice noodles.

Recipes Using Rice Noodles