Description
This Asian Noodle Salad is a vibrant and fresh dish that combines tender rice noodles, crisp vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a tangy, slightly sweet dressing. It offers a perfect balance of flavor and texture, making it a healthy, quick, and customizable option suitable for lunch, dinner sides, or gatherings. Enjoy a refreshing salad that is both nourishing and full of bright, delicious flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles and Vegetables
- 200g rice noodles
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey (natural) or maple syrup (natural)
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions by soaking or boiling them briefly until tender but still slightly firm. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the noodles for the salad.
- Chop and Prep the Vegetables: While the noodles cool, shred the carrots finely, thinly slice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and green onions. Roughly chop the fresh cilantro and chop the peanuts into small pieces for garnish.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, soy sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and honey (natural) or maple syrup (natural). Taste and adjust to balance tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Add chili flakes if you prefer some heat.
- Toss Everything Together: In a large bowl, combine the cooled noodles, chopped vegetables, and herbs. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients. Let the salad rest for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the salad to add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions to enhance aroma and brightness.
- Rinse noodles in cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping, achieving perfect chewy texture.
- Adjust the dressing gradually, adding more vinegar or lime juice to get the right tang.
- Add crunchy toppings such as nuts right before serving to maintain their texture.
- Prepare ahead by keeping dressing separate and tossing just before serving to keep vegetables crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Asian noodle salad, fresh noodle salad, rice noodles, healthy Asian salad, quick noodle salad
