Description
This spicy peanut noodle salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring tender rice noodles tossed with crunchy vegetables and a creamy, zesty peanut sauce. Perfect served cold or at room temperature, it offers a bold, flavorful kick ideal for meal prep, potlucks, or a light and satisfying lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles and Vegetables
- 8 ounces rice noodles or spaghetti
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts for topping
Peanut Sauce
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2–4 tablespoons warm water, to thin
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Cook noodles according to package instructions until tender. Drain them thoroughly, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down, then set aside.
- Prepare the Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, sriracha, and sesame oil until smooth and well combined. Gradually add warm water one tablespoon at a time to thin the sauce until it reaches a pourable consistency.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled noodles, shredded carrots, thinly sliced red bell pepper, shredded purple cabbage, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro. Pour the peanut sauce over the salad and toss everything gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Chill and Serve: For best flavor, chill the salad for 15–20 minutes before serving. Just before serving, top the salad with chopped peanuts and extra cilantro if desired to add crunch and freshness.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to the salad for extra protein and a more substantial meal.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha according to your taste preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
