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Easy Cold Sesame Peanut Noodle Lunch Bowl

cold sesame peanut noodle lunch bowl - featured image

A quick and easy cold noodle bowl with creamy peanut sauce, fresh veggies, and a perfect balance of nutty and tangy flavors, ready in just 10 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 oz (170 g) thin spaghetti or rice noodles
  • Salt, for boiling water
  • 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter (natural, no added sugar recommended)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 23 tbsp warm water
  • 1 cup shredded carrot
  • ½ cup thinly sliced cucumber
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1 tbsp crushed peanuts
  • Red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 6 oz thin spaghetti or rice noodles and cook according to package instructions (about 4-5 minutes for spaghetti or 3 minutes for rice noodles), stirring occasionally.
  2. Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool them down.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Gradually add 2-3 tbsp warm water to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
  4. Toss the cooled noodles in the peanut sauce until well coated.
  5. Mix in shredded carrot, sliced cucumber, and green onions gently to combine.
  6. Transfer the noodle salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, crushed peanuts, and red pepper flakes or sriracha.
  7. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours to let flavors meld.

Notes

Do not overcook noodles; rinse well under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Adjust soy sauce and honey to taste depending on peanut butter brand. Sauce can be made ahead and thinned with water before use. Add crunchy toppings just before serving to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold noodles, peanut sauce, sesame, quick lunch, easy recipe, gluten-free option, vegetarian, peanut noodles