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Noodle Salad
marie

Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad

This vibrant noodle salad features chilled soba noodles, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, spicy peanut sauce that’s savory, tangy, and perfectly balanced. Quick to prepare and endlessly customizable, it’s ideal for easy lunches, weeknight dinners, or crowd-pleasing sides.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, LUNCH, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad Base
  • kosher salt for seasoning the cooking water
  • 10 oz soba noodles
  • 1 medium zucchini or cucumber cut into fine matchsticks
  • 5 radishes thinly sliced
  • 1 bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil for coating noodles
  • ½ cup roasted salted peanuts roughly chopped
  • 2 scallions finely chopped
  • fresh cilantro roughly torn
  • 1 lime cut into wedges for serving
For the Spicy Peanut Sauce
  • ½ cup smooth peanut butter not natural
  • ¼ cup soy sauce use tamari for gluten-free
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp chile oil or hot sauce plus more to taste
  • 1 clove garlic finely grated

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the soba noodles according to package directions until just tender. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water until completely cool.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, sesame oil, chile oil, and garlic. Gradually whisk in water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is smooth and pourable.
  3. Prepare the vegetables by slicing the zucchini (or cucumber), radishes, and bell pepper into thin matchsticks. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add the cooled noodles to the vegetables. Drizzle with sesame oil and toss gently to loosen and coat the noodles.
  5. Just before serving, pour the peanut sauce over the noodles and toss until evenly coated. Top with peanuts, scallions, and cilantro.
  6. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

If making ahead, store the sauce separately and toss just before serving. If the salad dries out, refresh with a splash of water or lime juice. Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein.