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To make the spicy sesame noodle salad, you will need: - 8 oz. soba noodles - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 1 tablespoon soy sauce - 2 tablespoons peanut butter - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste) - 1 carrot, julienned - 1 cucumber, thinly sliced - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced - 3 green onions, chopped - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro - Sesame seeds for garnish - Salt and pepper to taste For this salad, fresh ingredients like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers shine. These veggies add crunch and color. Use fresh cilantro for the best flavor. On the other hand, pantry staples include soba noodles, sesame oil, and soy sauce. These items are easy to keep on hand. Peanut butter and rice vinegar also last long. They help create the creamy dressing. I have some favorite brands for key ingredients. For soba noodles, I like the brand Eden Foods. Their noodles cook well and taste great. For sesame oil, try Kadoya. It's pure and fragrant. When it comes to soy sauce, Kikkoman is a trusted choice. For peanut butter, go for Jif or Skippy; they blend nicely in the dressing. Always check labels for quality. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add 8 oz. of soba noodles. Cook them according to the package instructions. This usually takes about 4 to 6 minutes. You want them tender but still firm. Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse them under cold water. This step cools them down and stops the cooking process. Place the cooled noodles in a large bowl. In a small bowl, grab a whisk and mix your dressing. Combine 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Then add 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon of sriracha. Whisk until smooth and all ingredients are mixed well. This dressing adds a nice kick to the noodles. Now it's time to bring everything together. Pour the dressing over the soba noodles. Toss the noodles to coat them evenly. Next, add your veggies: 1 julienned carrot, 1 thinly sliced cucumber, and 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper. Don't forget 3 chopped green onions and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro. Mix it all lightly until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you like more heat, add extra sriracha. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors mix well. Before serving, toss everything together again. Serve in bowls topped with sesame seeds for extra crunch. To get the best texture in your Spicy Sesame Noodle Salad, start with the soba noodles. Cook them just until tender. This keeps them from becoming mushy. After cooking, rinse them under cold water. This stops the cooking process. It also cools them down quickly. Toss the noodles gently with the dressing. This helps the sauce coat each noodle without breaking them. Everyone has different spice levels. To adjust the heat, start with 1 tablespoon of sriracha. Taste the salad after mixing. If you want more heat, add more sriracha a little at a time. You can also serve extra sriracha on the side. This lets everyone spice their own bowl as they like. A beautiful salad makes the meal more fun. Serve your salad in colorful bowls. This adds to the dish’s appeal. Top each bowl with sesame seeds for a nice crunch. You can also sprinkle extra cilantro or sliced green onions on top. This not only looks good but also adds flavor. Don't forget to arrange the veggies nicely. A pretty presentation invites everyone to dig in! Pro Tips Cook Noodles Al Dente: Soba noodles should be cooked until just tender to maintain a firm texture and avoid mushiness in the salad. Customize the Heat: Adjust the amount of sriracha according to your spice preference; start with less and add more as needed for a balanced flavor. Fresh Ingredients Matter: Use fresh vegetables and herbs for the best flavor and texture; they enhance the overall freshness of the salad. Let It Rest: Allowing the salad to sit for about 10 minutes after mixing helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a more flavorful dish. {{image_2}} You can make this salad vegetarian by sticking to the main recipe. The soba noodles, fresh veggies, and rich sesame dressing offer great flavors. Try adding more vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas. You can also add edamame for extra protein. This keeps your dish tasty and filling without using meat. Soba noodles can contain wheat, so check the package. Look for 100% buckwheat soba noodles. They are gluten-free and still taste great. Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free. This way, you enjoy the same delicious flavor without the gluten. You can easily add proteins to make this salad more filling. Grilled chicken or shrimp pairs well with the flavors. For a plant-based option, try tofu or tempeh. Cook them until golden brown for a nice texture. Mix these proteins into the salad for a heartier meal. To keep your Spicy Sesame Noodle Salad fresh, use an airtight container. Glass containers work well. Store the salad in the fridge to keep the ingredients crisp. If you have extra dressing, store it separately. This way, the noodles won’t get mushy. Your salad will stay good for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. After that, the veggies may lose their crunch. Always check for any odd smells or changes in color before eating. If you see or smell anything off, it’s best to toss it. You can eat the salad cold or warm. If you prefer it warm, heat it gently in a pan. Add a splash of water or extra sesame oil to help it heat evenly. Stir often to avoid burning. You can also microwave it for about 30 seconds. Just remember to check the heat level before serving. Soba noodles are thin noodles made from buckwheat flour. They are pale brown and have a nutty taste. Soba noodles are a great choice for this dish. They cook quickly and hold sauce well. Plus, they are high in protein and fiber. You can find them in most grocery stores, often in the Asian foods section. Yes, you can use many types of vegetables. Feel free to swap in what you like. Bell peppers, carrots, and cucumbers work well. You can also try zucchini, snap peas, or radishes. Just cut them into thin pieces for even cooking. The goal is to keep a nice crunch in your salad. You can easily prepare this salad ahead. Cook the soba noodles and make the dressing in advance. Store both in separate containers in the fridge. Mix everything right before serving. This way, the flavors stay fresh. Enjoy your spicy sesame noodle salad anytime! You now have all you need to make a great cold soba noodle salad. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. You learned about variations for different diets and how to store your salad. Remember, using fresh ingredients and the right brands can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to adjust spices and try new veggies. With these tools, you can create a dish that fits your taste. Enjoy your salad and share it with others!

Spicy Sesame Noodle Salad

A refreshing and spicy noodle salad with a sesame dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz soba noodles
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 1 unit carrot, julienned
  • 1 unit cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 unit red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 unit green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • to taste unit sesame seeds for garnish
  • to taste unit salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cook the soba noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside in a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, and sriracha until well combined and smooth.
  • Pour the dressing over the cooled soba noodles and toss to coat evenly.
  • Add the julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro to the noodles. Mix everything lightly until well combined.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste, and adjust the heat by adding more sriracha if desired.
  • Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together, then toss again before serving.
  • Serve in bowls, topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor.

Notes

Adjust the sriracha to your preferred spice level.
Keyword noodle salad, soba noodles, spicy, vegetarian