Cold Sesame Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Cold Sesame Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce is a quick and vibrant dish combining tender noodles tossed in a creamy, nutty, and mildly spicy peanut sauce. Perfect for a refreshing lunch, easy dinner, or crowd-pleasing picnic dish, this recipe balances bold flavors with fresh vegetables and healthy fats for a nourishing, flavorful meal.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cook / Boil
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Noodles
- 8 oz thin Chinese egg noodles or spaghetti
Spicy Peanut Sauce
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1–2 tbsp chili sauce or sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 2–3 tbsp warm water (to thin sauce as needed)
Vegetables and Garnishes
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles for serving.
- Prepare the Spicy Peanut Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, chili sauce, and honey until smooth and creamy. Add warm water a little at a time to thin the sauce to desired consistency.
- Toss the Noodles and Vegetables: Place cooled noodles in a large mixing bowl. Add sliced green onions, shredded carrots, and toasted sesame seeds. Pour the spicy peanut sauce over the noodles and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Let the noodles rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature, garnished with extra green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic, ginger, and vegetables to maximize flavor and texture.
- Adjust chili sauce quantity to control heat level according to preference.
- Rinse noodles well under cold water to prevent clumping and chill properly.
- Customize texture by adding crushed peanuts or sliced cucumbers for extra crunch.
- The peanut sauce can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cold sesame noodles, spicy peanut sauce, peanut noodles, Asian noodle salad, easy dinner, vegetarian, quick meal, picnic recipe