15-Minute Cold Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Today we are making 15-Minute Cold Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce! If you’re craving a quick and flavorful meal, these noodles are your perfect solution. This vibrant dish combines the nutty richness of creamy peanut butter with the savory depth of tamari and the bright zing of fresh ginger and garlic. It’s a refreshing, satisfying option for a busy weeknight or a light, energizing lunch. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a delicious and nutritious meal in no time.
The star of this recipe is the soba noodles, which are tossed in a luscious peanut sauce that’s both creamy and tangy. The addition of sesame oil adds a wonderful depth of flavor, while the black sesame seeds provide a delightful crunch. Fresh bell peppers and chopped coriander give the dish a burst of color and a hint of freshness, making each bite both satisfying and invigorating.
These cold sesame noodles are perfectly balanced with flavors that are both bold and nuanced. Ideal for anyone looking for a quick, plant-based meal, this dish is as versatile as it is tasty. Whether you’re a busy professional or simply in need of a speedy, homemade meal, these noodles offer a delicious and wholesome option that will leave you craving more.
Why You’ll Love These Cold Sesame Peanut Sauce Noodles
Flavor-Packed: This dish is a symphony of flavors that will excite your taste buds with every bite. The creamy peanut butter melds perfectly with the nutty sesame oil and tangy rice vinegar, creating a rich, velvety sauce that coats the noodles beautifully. Fresh ginger and garlic infuse the dish with vibrant, aromatic notes, while the black sesame seeds add a delightful crunch. The colorful bell peppers provide a fresh, crisp contrast, and the coriander adds a burst of herbal brightness. Seasoned with pink salt, black pepper, and a hint of red chili flakes, the dish strikes a perfect balance between savory, spicy, and slightly sweet, making it a truly satisfying meal.
Quick and Easy: In just 15 minutes, you can have a delicious, satisfying meal on your table. This recipe is ideal for those busy days when time is short but you still want to enjoy a homemade dish. With a straightforward list of ingredients and minimal prep work, you can effortlessly whip up these noodles without breaking a sweat. The soba noodles cook quickly, and the peanut sauce comes together in a flash, making it a go-to recipe for both busy weeknights and last-minute lunches.
Substitutions
Soba Noodles: Substitute with your favorite noodles here! Soba noodles are naturally gluten-free, but you can use your choice of noodle.
Peanut Butter: Use natural, creamy peanut butter rather than chunky. This will help the sauce become creamy. Natural peanut butter only contains one ingredient on the label (just peanuts) which will work the best. Other brands of peanut butter may contain added sugars and oils, which can work but you will need to taste the sauce and adjust the ingredients as needed (since there are already oils and sugars in the peanut butter to begin with).
Tamari: This is a lower-sodium, gluten-free version of soy sauce. Swap in soy sauce, but it will contain gluten, and you may have to adjust the other ingredients as soy sauce has more salt than tamari does.
Coriander: This is also known as cilantro. Use both the stem and the leaves in this recipe. Substitute with parsley as a different herb.
Bell Pepper: I used a mix of red, orange and yellow peppers, but you can also include green peppers.
Black Sesame Seeds: Substitute with white sesame seeds.
Cold Sesame Noodles Recipe Notes
- Customize the thickness of the peanut sauce by adjusting the amount of sesame oil or adding a splash of plant-based milk or vegetable broth if it’s too thick. For a spicier kick, increase the red chili flakes or add a touch of sriracha.
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If you make these 15-Minute Cold Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
15-Minute Cold Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Equipment
- Whisk
- Stovetop Pot
- Fine Hole Grater
- Colander
Ingredients
For the Noodles
- 2½ bundles (250 grams) dry soba noodles first cooked, then at room temperature
For the Sauce
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp tamari
- ¼ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp pure maple syrup
- scant 1 tsp fresh ginger paste
- 1 medium garlic clove finely grated
- 2 tsp black sesame seeds
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes
- ¼ cup coriander chopped
- 1 medium bell pepper (mix of orange, yellow, red) sliced
For the Topping
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts chopped, separated into 2 portions for serving
Instructions
To Cook the Noodles
- Start by bringing a large pot full of water to a boil. In the meantime, start preparing the sauce.
- Gently add the soba noodles to the boiling water. Stir occasionally to keep the noodles separated and prevent sticking.
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, usually about 4-6 minutes, until they are tender but still have a slight bite (al dente). Keep an eye on them, as they can overcook quickly.
- Once cooked, drain the noodles in a colander. To prevent them from sticking and to cool them quickly for cold dishes, rinse the noodles under cold running water.
- Gently separate any clumped noodles with your fingers or a fork. Soba noodles can be quite delicate, so handle them gently to avoid breaking them.
For the Sauce
- While the water boils, whisk together all the sauce ingredients, except the coriander and bell pepper, until smooth and without clumps.
Putting It All Together
- Once the noodles are drained, transfer them to a large bowl..
- Pour the evenly sauce into the noodles, tossing to coat.
- Add in the bell peppers and coriander, toss again.
- Separate into two serving bowls. Top with 1 tbsp of roasted peanuts on each bowl before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
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Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
