Zippy Sesame Noodle Salad Recipe: Fresh & Tangy Twist

Summers sizzle with vibrant sesame noodle salad recipes that dance between tangy and refreshing.

Cool noodles tossed with crisp vegetables create an irresistible harmony of flavors and textures.

sesame nutty essence weaves through each bite, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Crisp green onions and tender noodles mingle with a zesty dressing that sparkles with umami depth.

The recipe delivers a quick, elegant dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or lazy afternoons.

Bright, light, and packed with Asian-inspired notes, this salad brings excitement to any meal.

You’ll find yourself returning to this simple yet spectacular recipe time and again.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Sesame Noodle Salad Ingredient Checklist

• Spaghetti: Neutral pasta that provides hearty foundation for the salad, choose good quality wheat pasta for best texture and flavor absorption.

• Soy Sauce, Peanut Butter, Rice Vinegar: Dynamic trio creating rich, tangy base with deep umami complexity, select naturally processed versions for cleaner taste.
• Ginger, Garlic: Aromatic powerhouses delivering zesty punch and authentic Asian-inspired warmth, opt for fresh roots for maximum flavor intensity.
• Sugar: Balances savory elements and enhances overall sauce smoothness, choose fine granulated for seamless blending.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces nutty, luxurious undertone that elevates entire dish's flavor profile, select toasted variety for deeper character.

• Cabbage, Carrots: Crisp vegetables adding refreshing texture and nutritional boost, select fresh, vibrant produce for maximum crunch.
• Green Onions: Provides sharp, clean finish with gentle onion notes, choose bright green stems without wilting.
• Roasted Peanuts: Delivers satisfying crunch and nutty depth, select unsalted varieties for better flavor control.

Equipment to Make Sesame Noodle Salad

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta evenly and efficiently.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta quickly and thoroughly.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Crucial for heating and mixing peanut sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce components into a creamy, well-combined mixture.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Ideal for combining noodles, vegetables, and sauce with ease.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for balanced flavors.
• Cutting Board: Great for chopping green onions and peanuts neatly.
• Sharp Knife: Helps slice vegetables and toppings precisely.

How to Put Together Sesame Noodle Salad

• Pasta Preparation

Boil spaghetti until perfectly tender. Skip adding salt to the water since the sauce will bring all the flavor magic. Let the noodles cool down and relax for a few minutes.

• Sauce Creation

Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, sugar, and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl. Zap the mixture for a minute to help ingredients blend smoothly. Whisk until silky and incorporate sesame oil for a nutty kick.

• Salad Assembly

Toss cooked spaghetti with crisp cabbage and crunchy carrots. Pour the peanut sauce over the ingredients and stir until everything gets a delicious coating. Add a splash of water if the sauce feels too thick.

• Final Touches

Sprinkle fresh green onions throughout the salad. Scatter roasted peanuts on top for a satisfying crunch. This dish is awesome served warm, chilled, or at room temperature – totally flexible for any mood or moment.

Tricks to Maximize Flavor in Sesame Noodle Salad

• Swap spaghetti with rice noodles or whole wheat pasta for unique texture and nutritional boosts.
• Toss in grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to transform this salad into a complete meal with extra protein.
• Experiment with additional fresh vegetables like sliced bell peppers, cucumber, or edamame to enhance crunch and nutrition.
• Drizzle sriracha sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes for those who love a zesty kick and want to add some heat to the dish.

Sesame Noodle Salad Serving Inspiration

• Picnic Perfect Companion: Pack this sesame noodle salad in a sealed container for outdoor lunch adventures, making it an ideal potluck or park meal option.
• Asian-Inspired Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken, tofu, or shredded rotisserie chicken to transform the salad into a complete and satisfying main course with extra protein and flavor.
• Crisp Vegetable Enhancement: Experiment by incorporating additional crunchy vegetables like sliced bell peppers, cucumber, or edamame to increase nutritional value and provide exciting texture contrasts in every bite.
• Weekend Meal Prep Champion: Prepare this salad in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper complexity, making it an excellent option for quick weekday lunches or busy meal planning strategies.

Smart Ways to Store Sesame Noodle Salad

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the noodle salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the crisp vegetables and sauce well-sealed to maintain maximum flavor intensity.
• Advance Preparation Hack: Prepare sauce and chop vegetables separately, storing them in different containers to keep ingredients fresh and prevent soggy textures before final mixing.
• Serving Temperature Flexibility: This versatile dish tastes delicious when served cold, at room temperature, or slightly warmed, making it perfect for meal prep, picnics, and lunch boxes.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep crunchy toppings like chopped peanuts in a separate container until serving to prevent them from becoming soft and losing their delightful texture.

Tangy Sesame Noodle Salad

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Sesame noodle salad offers a refreshing Asian-inspired blend of flavors and textures. Crisp vegetables, tender noodles, and nutty sesame sauce create a delightful meal you can enjoy warm or chilled.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti, uncooked
• 4 oz (113 g) red cabbage, finely shredded
• 4 oz (113 g) carrots, finely shredded
• 5 tbsps (75 mL) low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tbsps (45 g) creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) rice vinegar
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) sesame oil
• 2 tsps (10 g) grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp (4 g) white sugar
• 2 stalks green onions, finely sliced
• ¼ cup (30 g) roasted peanuts, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Submerge spaghetti in rapidly boiling water, adhering to package guidelines. Omit salt, as the peanut sauce will deliver robust seasoning. Drain thoroughly and allow to cool for 10 minutes, ensuring optimal sauce absorption.
2. Sauce Creation: Blend soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, ginger, sugar, and minced garlic in a microwave-safe vessel. Zap on high for one minute to soften ingredients and facilitate seamless integration. Whisk vigorously until achieving a velvety consistency, then introduce sesame oil for aromatic complexity.
3. Salad Assembly: In a capacious mixing bowl, unite cooled pasta, crisp cabbage shreds, slender carrot matchsticks, and vibrant peanut sauce. Toss with precision, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated. Adjust sauce viscosity by incrementally adding water to create a silky, clinging texture that embraces the noodles.
4. Finishing Touches: Gently incorporate verdant green onions moments before serving. Scatter roasted peanuts generously to introduce a satisfying crunch and nutty undertone. This versatile dish welcomes consumption at various temperatures – warm, chilled, or room temperature.

Notes

• Optimize Pasta Cooling: Let noodles rest exactly 10 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal texture for sauce absorption.
• Sauce Softening Technique: Microwave peanut butter briefly to create smoother, more evenly distributed sauce that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Add water incrementally if sauce seems too thick, ensuring a silky, clingy coating that perfectly embraces the noodles.
• Garnish Timing Tip: Sprinkle green onions and peanuts just before serving to preserve maximum crunch and fresh flavor burst.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg