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Fresh Cold Asian Sesame Noodle Salad Recipe with Crunchy Veggies

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A refreshing and easy cold noodle salad featuring soba noodles tossed with a nutty sesame dressing and crunchy fresh vegetables. Perfect for warm weather, quick lunches, or light dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) soba noodles or thin spaghetti
  • 1 cup julienned or shredded carrots
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup snap peas, trimmed and halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, seeded and thinly sliced
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp crushed peanuts or cashews (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) soba noodles or thin spaghetti and cook according to package instructions (usually 5-7 minutes for soba). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Once al dente, drain and rinse noodles under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles. Set aside in a colander to drain well.
  3. While noodles cook, wash and slice all vegetables: julienne carrots, thinly slice red bell pepper, trim and halve snap peas, thinly slice cucumber, slice green onions, and chop cilantro if using.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained noodles with all prepared vegetables. Pour the dressing over and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Add a little extra sesame oil if noodles start sticking.
  6. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and optional crushed peanuts or cashews over the top.
  7. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to let flavors meld and enjoy a refreshing cold salad.

Notes

Rinse noodles thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Use toasted sesame oil for best flavor. Add nuts just before serving to maintain crunch. Vegetables can be swapped based on season or preference. For gluten-free, use rice noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce. For vegan, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave.

Nutrition

Keywords: Asian sesame noodle salad, cold noodle salad, sesame dressing, crunchy vegetables, soba noodle salad, easy summer salad, gluten-free noodle salad, vegan noodle salad

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/fresh-cold-asian-sesame-noodle-salad-recipe-with-crunchy-veggies-easy-and-perfect/