Description
A refreshing Cold Soba Noodle Salad tossed in a spicy peanut dressing, featuring crunchy vegetables and a flavorful blend of peanut butter, sesame oil, and zesty lime. Perfect as a light lunch or a chilled side dish for warm days.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles and Vegetables
- 6.4 ounces soba noodles (about half a package)
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped chives or scallions
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
Spicy Peanut Dressing
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce (or to taste)
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Cook the soba noodles: Follow the package instructions to cook the soba noodles until tender. Once cooked, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Drain well and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the vegetables and dressing: Chop the red bell pepper, grate the carrot, finely chop the chives or scallions, and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, sriracha sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water until smooth.
- Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled soba noodles, chopped vegetables, and chopped peanuts. Pour the spicy peanut dressing over the mixture and toss thoroughly using tongs or a large spoon to ensure every ingredient is well coated.
- Serve or chill: The salad can be served immediately for a fresh and lively dish, or covered and chilled in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld. It keeps well in the fridge for a few days, making it great for meal prep.
Notes
- Soba noodles can be replaced with whole wheat spaghetti or rice noodles if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the spiciness of the dressing.
- Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavors.
- Add more water to the dressing if a thinner consistency is desired.
- For added protein, consider topping with grilled chicken or tofu.
