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Fresh Cold Sesame Noodle Salad

fresh cold sesame noodle salad - featured image
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A refreshing and easy cold sesame noodle salad perfect for beach lunchboxes, featuring a creamy nutty dressing and crisp fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or thin Asian egg noodles
  • Water and salt for boiling
  • 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp chili flakes or a dash of sriracha (optional)
  • 1 medium cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
  • 1 large carrot, shredded
  • 2 green onions, sliced thinly
  • Optional: a handful of chopped cilantro or parsley
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional protein: shredded cooked chicken, tofu cubes, or edamame

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente (about 8 minutes for spaghetti). Stir occasionally to prevent clumping.
  2. Drain and rinse noodles under cold running water to stop cooking and cool completely.
  3. While noodles cook, julienne or thinly slice cucumber, shred carrot, and slice green onions. Chop cilantro if using.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chili flakes or sriracha if using. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
  5. Add cooled noodles to the dressing and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every strand.
  6. Fold in cucumber, carrot, green onions, and optional herbs. Toss gently to combine.
  7. Optional: Refrigerate salad for 20-30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
  8. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top just before serving. Add protein toppings if desired.

Notes

Use toasted sesame oil for best flavor. Rinse noodles under cold water immediately after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Store veggies separately if packing ahead to avoid sogginess. For gluten-free, substitute noodles and soy sauce accordingly. Add protein like chicken, tofu, or edamame for a more filling meal.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold sesame noodle salad, beach lunch, easy noodle salad, sesame dressing, healthy lunch, vegetarian, vegan option

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/fresh-cold-sesame-noodle-salad-recipe-easy-beach-lunchbox-idea/