Zesty Sesame Noodle Salad Recipe for Summer Fun

Sesame noodles dance with vibrant flavors, creating a culinary symphony that awakens taste buds.

Cold and refreshing, this dish blends Asian-inspired ingredients into a harmonious melody of textures.

Tangy and slightly nutty, the salad offers a perfect balance between smooth noodles and crisp vegetables.

Lightweight yet satisfying, the recipe changes simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that surprises and delights.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these noodles work beautifully as a quick lunch or impressive side dish.

Bright sesame notes weave through each bite, delivering complex layers of taste that feel both comforting and exciting.

Cool and zesty, this salad promises a delightful eating experience that will leave you craving more.

Pro Tips for Cold Sesame Noodles

• Prevent Sticky Noodles: Rinse cooked pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping.
• Sauce Consistency Trick: Warm the peanut butter briefly to ensure smooth blending and easier mixing with other sauce ingredients.
• Veggie Crunch Preservation: Add shredded cabbage and carrots just before serving to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant color.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and develop a more complex taste profile.
• Customize with Protein: Enhance the salad by adding grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp for a more substantial meal.

Storage and Reheating for Leftover Noodle Salad

• Refrigerate: Transfer the noodle salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep peanuts separate to prevent them from getting soggy.
• Reheat: Gently warm the noodles in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of water if the sauce seems dry.
• Refresh: Sprinkle fresh chopped peanuts and green onions on top before serving to restore crunch and flavor after refrigeration.

Perfect Pairings with Sesame Noodle Salad

• Sip a Cool Companion: Pair this sesame noodle salad with a crisp, light Asian-style beer like Sapporo or Tsingtao to cut through the richness of the peanut sauce and refresh your palate.
• Brighten with Beverage: Complement the nutty, savory flavors with a slightly sweet and acidic white wine such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer, which will balance the dish's robust taste profile.
• Elevate with Citrus Twist: Add a zesty green tea or chilled jasmine tea to enhance the ginger and garlic notes, creating a harmonious and refreshing dining experience that brings out the salad's complex flavors.
• Create a Complete Meal: Serve alongside grilled chicken or tofu skewers to transform this noodle salad into a more substantial, protein-packed meal that satisfies hunger and provides delightful textural contrast.

Flavor Additions to Mix Up This Salad

• Spicy Sesame Kick: Add sriracha or red pepper flakes to the peanut sauce for a fiery heat that sparks up the classic recipe. The extra spice transforms the noodle salad into a zesty, bold meal.
• Plant-Based Protein Boost: Replace peanut butter with almond butter and add grilled tofu cubes for a protein-packed vegetarian version. Incorporate edamame for additional plant-based protein and nutritional depth.
• Asian Fusion Style: Swap spaghetti with rice noodles and include diced cucumber and cilantro. Drizzle with sesame oil and add a splash of mirin for an authentic pan-Asian flavor profile.
• Protein-Rich Remix: Include shredded rotisserie chicken or sliced grilled shrimp to create a heartier main course version. The added protein makes the salad more substantial and satisfying for meat lovers.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to Sesame Noodle Salad

• Craft a Lightning-Fast Flavor Explosion: This sesame noodle salad delivers incredible taste in just minutes, blending peanut sauce's rich depth with crisp vegetable crunch for a seriously satisfying meal.
• Embrace Versatile Meal Magic: Packed with flexible serving options, you can enjoy this dish warm, chilled, or at room temperature, making it perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or potluck gatherings.
• Transform Simple Ingredients into Gourmet Delight: By microwaving the sauce and using basic pantry staples like soy sauce, peanut butter, and fresh vegetables, you create a restaurant-quality dish without complex cooking techniques.

What Goes in Sesame Noodle Salad

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta that serves as the foundation of the salad, best when cooked al dente and cooled completely.

• Soy Sauce, Peanut Butter, Rice Vinegar: Core flavor builders that create a rich, tangy, and creamy sauce base.
• Ginger, Garlic: Fresh aromatics that add depth and brightness to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the savory and tangy elements of the sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Provides a nutty, distinctive Asian-inspired flavor accent.

• Cabbage, Carrots: Crisp vegetables that add texture, nutrition, and fresh crunch to the salad.
• Green Onions: Provides a mild onion flavor and bright green color as a finishing touch.

• Roasted Peanuts: Adds crunch, richness, and a classic nutty element to the final dish.

Quick Instructions for This Refreshing Salad

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Boil spaghetti following package instructions without adding salt. Drain pasta and let cool for 10 minutes. The peanut sauce will provide all the seasoning needed.

Step 2: Create Magical Peanut Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Peanut butter
• Rice vinegar
• Ginger
• Sugar
• Garlic
• Sesame oil

Combine first six ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 1 minute to soften peanut butter. Whisk until smooth. Stir in sesame oil to complete the sauce.

Step 3: Build Vibrant Salad Base

• Cooked spaghetti
• Shredded cabbage
• Shredded carrots
• Prepared peanut sauce

Mix thoroughly to ensure noodles are evenly coated. Add water if sauce seems too thick.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh green onions over the salad. Top with chopped roasted peanuts. Serve at your preferred temperature- warm, chilled, or room temperature.

Sesame Noodle Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sesame noodle salad delivers a perfect Asian-inspired harmony of tangy and nutty flavors. Chewy noodles tossed with crisp vegetables and a silky sesame dressing promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Sesame Noodle Salad

Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti, uncooked
• 4 ounces (113 grams) red cabbage, finely shredded
• 4 ounces (113 grams) carrots, finely shredded

Sauce Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) white sugar

Garnish Ingredients:

• 2 stalks green onions, finely sliced
• ¼ cup (30 grams) roasted peanuts, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta by immersing spaghetti in boiling water, following package instructions carefully. Avoid adding salt to the water, as the robust peanut sauce will provide sufficient seasoning. Drain the noodles and allow them to cool for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Craft the sauce by combining soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, ginger, sugar, and minced garlic in a microwave-safe container. Heat on high for one minute to soften the peanut butter and blend the ingredients. Whisk thoroughly until achieving a smooth consistency, then incorporate sesame oil.
3. Assemble the salad in a spacious mixing bowl by combining the cooled pasta, finely shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, and the freshly prepared peanut sauce. Toss meticulously to ensure even coating of the noodles. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually add water to achieve a silky texture that clings to the pasta.
4. Enhance the salad’s flavor profile by gently folding in freshly chopped green onions just before serving. Sprinkle generously with roasted peanuts for added crunch and nutty depth. The dish can be enjoyed warm, chilled, or at ambient temperature, offering versatile serving options.

Notes

• Peanut Sauce Perfection: The microwave technique softens peanut butter quickly and creates a silky, smooth dressing without extra dishes.
• Noodle Coating Trick: Stir the sauce thoroughly to ensure every strand of pasta gets an even, flavorful embrace.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This salad can be prepared a day in advance, making it ideal for meal prep or potluck gatherings.
• Texture Boosters: Roasted peanuts add a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the creamy noodle base.
• Temperature Flexibility: Enjoy this versatile dish warm, chilled, or at room temperature, suiting any mealtime or preference.
• Salt-Free Seasoning: Skip salt in pasta water since the robust peanut sauce provides all the seasoning needed.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 448
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 655 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg