Asian Sesame Noodle Salad (Print Version)

A vibrant noodle salad with crisp vegetables and a savory peanut dressing, ideal for light meals or lunch.

# Ingredient List:

→ Noodles

01 - 9 oz dried soba noodles or spaghetti
02 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
04 - 1 cup julienned carrots
05 - 1 bell pepper, red or yellow, thinly sliced
06 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
07 - 1/2 cup julienned cucumber
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
09 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

→ Peanut Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
11 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
14 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
15 - 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water
16 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
18 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili sauce, optional

→ Garnish

19 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
20 - Extra cilantro and peanuts as desired

# Steps:

01 - Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water until cooled. Toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha if using. Add warm water gradually while whisking until the dressing reaches a pourable consistency.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooled noodles with red cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, spring onions, cucumber, and cilantro. Mix gently to distribute vegetables evenly.
04 - Pour the peanut dressing over the noodle and vegetable mixture. Using tongs or two spoons, toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing.
05 - Transfer the dressed salad to a serving platter or divide among individual bowls. Top with toasted sesame seeds, additional cilantro leaves, and chopped peanuts.
06 - Serve immediately for a warm salad, or refrigerate for 20 minutes to serve chilled. The salad maintains optimal texture and flavor when served fresh.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than delivery arrives, which means you'll actually make it on a weeknight instead of scrolling through takeout apps.
  • The dressing is genuinely addictive, hitting that sweet-salty-nutty balance that makes you want to toss it on absolutely everything.
  • Leftovers stay fresh and even taste better the next day when the flavors have had time to mingle.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the noodles after cooking—warm noodles will wilt your vegetables and make the whole salad mushy instead of crisp and vibrant.
  • Make the dressing while the noodles are still cooling; whisking it when it's just room temperature helps all the ingredients combine more smoothly than if you try to whisk cold peanut butter.
03 -
  • Make your dressing slightly thicker than you think you want it because the noodles will release moisture as they sit, naturally thinning everything out over time.
  • If you're serving this to a group, assemble it in a large shallow bowl instead of individual servings—it looks more generous and people can take as much or as little as they want.
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