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Fresh Cold Sesame Noodle Salad Easy Recipe with Creamy Peanut Dressing

fresh cold sesame noodle salad - featured image
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A refreshing and easy-to-make cold sesame noodle salad with a creamy peanut dressing, perfect for quick lunches or light dinners, especially in warm weather.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or rice noodles
  • ½ cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2–4 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 large carrot, julienned or shredded
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 3 green onions, sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
  • Optional protein: shredded rotisserie chicken or tofu cubes

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti or rice noodles. Cook according to package directions—usually about 7-8 minutes for spaghetti, or 4-5 minutes for rice noodles—until just tender but still firm to the bite (al dente). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Pour noodles into a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Shake off excess water and set aside to drain completely.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup (125g) creamy peanut butter, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove. Whisk together, adding 2 to 4 tablespoons warm water little by little until the dressing is smooth and pourable but still creamy.
  4. Julienne or shred 1 large carrot, slice 1 cucumber thinly, and slice 3 green onions. Optional: chop fresh cilantro leaves for garnish.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled noodles with the prepared veggies. Pour the creamy peanut dressing over the top and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  6. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds on top. Add optional protein like shredded chicken or tofu cubes if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse noodles well after boiling to stop cooking and remove starch to prevent clumping. Adjust dressing thickness with warm water to achieve desired consistency. Toast sesame seeds for extra nuttiness. Keep dressing separate if prepping ahead to avoid soggy noodles.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold sesame noodle salad, peanut dressing, easy noodle salad, quick lunch, vegetarian, gluten-free option, creamy peanut sauce, healthy noodle salad

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/fresh-cold-sesame-noodle-salad-easy-recipe-with-creamy-peanut-dressing/