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- 8 oz soba noodles (or any preferred noodles) - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (reduced sodium) - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup - 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger - 1 medium cucumber, julienned - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced - 2 green onions, chopped - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted) - Salt and pepper to taste This dish shines with its blend of flavors. The soba noodles serve as a great base. They soak up the sauce well. The peanut butter gives a creamy richness. It pairs nicely with the tang of sesame oil and soy sauce. Rice vinegar adds a nice zing. Honey or maple syrup balances the flavors perfectly. Fresh ingredients bring this salad to life. Grated ginger adds a warm spice. The cucumber adds crunch and freshness. Sliced red bell pepper gives a sweet touch. Chopped green onions add a mild onion flavor. Fresh cilantro ties everything together with its bright notes. Topping it off, toasted sesame seeds add crunch and a nutty flavor. A dash of salt and pepper rounds out the taste. Each ingredient plays a role in creating a fresh, flavorful meal. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, cook the soba noodles. Follow the package instructions for the best results. Once the noodles are done, drain them well. Rinse the noodles under cold water. This will stop the cooking process and cool them down. Next, make the peanut sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and grated ginger. Mix until it becomes smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water. This will help get the right consistency. Now, it's time to combine everything. In a large mixing bowl, mix the cooled noodles with the julienned cucumber, sliced red bell pepper, and chopped green onions. Pour the peanut sauce over the noodle mixture. Toss gently until everything is well coated. Add salt and pepper to taste. Finally, fold in the chopped cilantro. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a nice finish. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will let the flavors meld together. Enjoy your fresh and flavorful sesame peanut cold noodle salad! To enhance the taste of your peanut sauce, adjust the sweetness. You can add honey or maple syrup. This small change can make a big difference in flavor. You might also want to play with spices. Adding some chili flakes or garlic powder can add a nice kick. If you want to change things up, try different noodles. Rice noodles offer a softer texture. Whole wheat pasta gives a heartier bite. Both options work well in this dish. For those who need gluten-free options, look for gluten-free noodles. These choices can fit many diets and preferences. Chill your salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors mix well. When you are ready to serve, garnish your salad. Add extra cilantro and sesame seeds for a nice look. You can also drizzle a bit of sesame oil on top. This adds flavor and makes your dish even more appealing. Pro Tips Choose the Right Noodles: While soba noodles are traditional, feel free to experiment with different types of noodles like rice noodles or whole wheat spaghetti for a unique twist. Adjust the Sauce Thickness: If your peanut sauce turns out too thick, simply add a little water or additional rice vinegar until you reach your desired consistency. Chill for Best Flavor: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving; this helps the flavors meld together beautifully. Garnish Creatively: Enhance the presentation by garnishing with additional cilantro, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or even some crushed peanuts for added texture and flavor. {{image_2}} You can add protein to your Sesame Peanut Cold Noodle Salad to make it heartier. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu all work well. If you want a plant-based boost, consider adding edamame. It brings a nice texture and extra nutrients. Each option adds flavor and makes the dish more filling. Adding extra veggies can enhance the crunch and color. Shredded carrots, bell peppers, or scallions are great options. Colored bell peppers not only taste good but also make the salad look vibrant. The more colors you add, the more appealing your dish becomes. This mix of veggies will keep things fresh. You can switch up the dressing for a new twist. Try tahini or almond butter instead of peanut butter. These options add a unique flavor. If you like heat, experiment with a spicy Sriracha sauce. It gives a kick that many people enjoy. Each dressing alternative can change the whole vibe of the dish. To keep your sesame peanut cold noodle salad fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This salad tastes best within 3 to 4 days. After this time, the flavors may fade, and the veggies might lose their crunch. This dish is meant to be served cold. I do not recommend reheating it. If you find the sauce a bit thick after chilling, you can adjust it. Just mix in a little water or extra sauce ingredients to get the right texture. For easy meal prep, make the dressing ahead of time. This way, when you are ready to eat, you can simply toss it with the noodles and veggies. You can also pre-chop the cucumber, bell pepper, and green onions. Store them separately in the fridge for quick assembly later. Yes, you can. To make this dish vegan, simply swap honey for maple syrup. You should also use plant-based noodles. This way, you keep all the flavors without any animal products. If you want some heat, add Sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce. Start with a little and taste as you go. This lets you control the spice level. A little kick can make the meal even more exciting! To make the salad gluten-free, choose gluten-free noodles. Always check the sauce ingredients to ensure they do not contain gluten. Many brands offer gluten-free soy sauce. This way, you can enjoy the salad without worry. This blog post showed you how to make a tasty peanut noodle salad. You learned about key ingredients like soba noodles and fresh veggies. We shared steps for cooking and making the sauce. Tips for storage and variations helped you explore options. In the end, this dish offers a fun way to enjoy flavors. You can customize it for your taste. Get creative and make this meal your own!

Sesame Peanut Cold Noodle Salad

A refreshing cold noodle salad with a creamy peanut sauce and fresh vegetables.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz soba noodles
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 medium cucumber, julienned
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cook the soba noodles according to package instructions. Once done, drain them and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and grated ginger until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of water to thin it out.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled noodles, julienned cucumber, sliced red bell pepper, and chopped green onions.
  • Pour the peanut sauce over the noodle mixture and gently toss everything together, ensuring that the sauce evenly coats all the ingredients.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste, then fold in the chopped cilantro and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Serve in decorative bowls, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.
Keyword cold salad, noodle salad, peanut sauce