Pin It A vibrant and satisfying noodle bowl featuring crisp vegetables, tender noodles, and a creamy, spicy peanut dressing&mdashperfect for a fresh, energizing lunch or light dinner.
I first served this to friends and was amazed at how quickly it disappeared from the table. The balance of spicy, savory, and fresh flavors keeps everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
- Noodles: 250 g rice noodles or soba noodles, water for boiling
- Vegetables: 1 medium carrot, julienned; 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced; 1 small cucumber, julienned; 100 g sugar snap peas, halved; 2 spring onions, thinly sliced; 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
- Spicy Peanut Dressing: 4 tbsp creamy peanut butter; 2 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free); 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp lime juice; 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup; 1 to 2 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (to taste); 2 tsp toasted sesame oil; 2 to 4 tbsp warm water (to thin dressing)
- Toppings: 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, roughly chopped; 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds; lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- Step 2:
- Prepare all vegetables as directed and set aside.
- Step 3:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, sriracha, and sesame oil. Add warm water gradually until the dressing is smooth and pourable.
- Step 4:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles and vegetables. Add the peanut dressing and toss until everything is well coated.
- Step 5:
- Divide the salad among bowls. Top with roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Pin It This recipe has become a family favorite, especially on warm weekends when we enjoy it together outside. Kids love the crunchy vegetables and flavorful dressing.
Notes
For extra protein add grilled tofu chicken or shrimp. Adjust spice level to taste by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha used. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Required Tools
Large pot for boiling noodles mixing bowls whisk knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains peanuts soy and sesame. May contain gluten depending on noodle choice and soy sauce. Always check labels for potential allergens if unsure.
Pin It
This spicy peanut noodle salad is the perfect balance of flavors for a nutritious and quick meal anyone can enjoy.
Recipe FAQs
- → What noodles work best for this dish?
Rice noodles or soba noodles are ideal as they absorb the dressing well and provide a tender bite.
- → How can I adjust the spice level?
You can increase or reduce the sriracha or chili garlic sauce in the dressing to suit your preferred heat level.
- → Can this bowl be made gluten-free?
Yes, use rice noodles and gluten-free tamari instead of regular soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.
- → What toppings complement the flavors here?
Roasted peanuts and toasted sesame seeds add crunch, while fresh cilantro and lime wedges enhance the freshness.
- → How to store leftovers properly?
Keep the noodles and dressing refrigerated separately for up to 2 days to maintain texture and flavor.