Description
Creamy Peanut Noodles with Crunchy Veggies and Lime is a vibrant, Asian-inspired cold noodle salad featuring tender noodles tossed in a rich, tangy peanut sauce. This vegan dish balances the creamy texture of peanut butter with zesty lime and crisp fresh vegetables for a refreshing, satisfying meal perfect for warm days or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles and Sauce
- 8 ounces noodles (rice noodles, soba, or spaghetti)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2–4 tablespoons warm water (to thin sauce)
Vegetables and Garnishes
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook noodles: Prepare the noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set the noodles aside.
- Make peanut sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, sriracha (if using), lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of warm water until smooth and creamy. Add additional warm water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Toss noodles with sauce: Transfer the cooked noodles to a large bowl and pour the peanut sauce over them. Toss well to coat all the noodles evenly with the sauce.
- Add vegetables: Add shredded red cabbage, julienned carrots, thinly sliced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro to the noodle mixture. Toss again to distribute the veggies uniformly throughout the noodles.
- Serve: Serve the peanut noodles chilled or at room temperature, garnished with chopped roasted peanuts and lime wedges on the side for extra brightness.
Notes
- For added protein, top with tofu, edamame, or grilled chicken (if not vegan).
- Use gluten-free tamari and rice noodles for a fully gluten-free version.
- This dish makes excellent leftovers and can be prepped in advance for convenience.
- Sriracha is optional; adjust the spice level to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Stovetop, No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
