Peanut Noodle Salad

Last Updated on January 7, 2022 by Chenée Lewis

Easy peanut noodle salad - vegan and gluten free, this sesame peanut noodle salad is so satisfying and full of flavor! One of the best cold noodle salad recipes – easy and perfect for a weeknight dinner! And for more vegan recipes, try my Vegan Couscous Salad with Charred Corn, my Vegan White Bean Dip with Lemon and Pistachios, and my Sweet Potato Patties with Chickpeas and Creamy Avocado Sauce!

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Easy Peanut Noodle Salad Recipe

Today we're making a delicious, gluten-free, vegan spicy peanut noodle salad with all the fixings, tossed in a creamy, spicy peanut sauce. It's ideal for lunch, a low-key dinner, or an easy snack. And comes together in minutes. Once you've chopped your veggies and herbs, you're pretty much done.

This peanut noodle salad reminds me of the quick lunches I would get working in downtown Chicago when I first moved here. One of my favorites was cold spicy peanut noodles. They were topped with ground peanuts and veggies and always felt like such a quick, filling meal without being too heavy. And you can whip some up so easily at home for the perfect lunch, dinner, or snack!

Nutrition

This noodle salad is full of goodies -- not only good flavor, but also good nutrition. It's a naturally vegan and gluten-free recipe, and it's high in protein and fiber. Most importantly, it tastes amazing. What's not to love?

Vegan

This spicy peanut noodle salad recipe is completely plant-based! It's great to be able to share a recipe I love that can fit so easily within a vegan lifestyle. As you'll see in the ingredients below, the only ingredient that may not be fully vegan is your sweetener. You can use honey like I did, or opt for raw sugar, agave nectar to keep this peanut noodle salad fully vegan.

Gluten-Free

To make this recipe gluten free, I used Banza gluten-free chickpea spaghetti. I am such a Banza convert! (This post isn't sponsored by the way -- I just love it!) I don't maintain a gluten-free diet, but what drew me to Banza is that it's high in protein, high in fiber, and lower in carbs than regular wheat pasta. One 2-ounce serving has 23g of protein! The first time I tried it was to make this Lemon Shrimp Pasta with Kale, and I was hooked! The flavor and texture, while not exactly like wheat pasta, was delicious! It works especially well in dishes that really pack a flavor punch, like this one!

The best part about Banza is how easy it is to find. I usually buy it at Target, but I've seen it in most grocery stores and on Amazon.

This peanut noodle salad also features tamari, a Japanese soy-based sauce made from miso paste. It has a similar flavor to soy sauce, but its flavor is a bit more mellow. And best of all, tamari is gluten free! You can find various brands of tamari near the soy sauce at most grocery stores and on Amazon.

Sesame Peanut Noodle Salad Ingredients

Besides the Banza pasta, this peanut butter noodle salad recipe is full of flavor, crunchy vegetables, and the creaminess of peanut butter. To make this peanut noodle salad, you'll need:

• Gluten-free spaghetti or linguine - my favorite gluten-free pasta is Banza!
• creamy peanut butter - the base for the peanut sauce and the source of so much of its flavor and richness.
• tamari - similar to soy sauce, but gluten free and with a richer flavor!
• lime juice - gives the salad that tangy taste that makes it so good.
• spicy brown mustard - helps to emulsify the dressing and adds some extra spice.
• Sriracha - the best way to add a little heat.
• toasted sesame oil - adds SO much flavor! Make sure you use toasted sesame oil for the best taste.
• garlic - makes any savory dish better.
• ginger root - a valuable ingredient in Asian cooking. Like sesame oil, ginger adds SO much to this dish and can't be omitted!
• sugar, or any sweetener - to tone down the spice a bit and round out the flavors.

Then comes the fun part -- mixing in your veggies, herbs, and other toppings. I like to mix some in and leave the rest on top to serve the salad.

• peanuts - I love that crunch!
• green onions - may be my favorite savory ingredient. they make everything so good.
• cucumber - so good for you and perfect in this salad.
• red bell pepper - adds a sweet crunch!
• cilantro - a great way to top everything off -- perfect as a garnish and also as a boost of flavor.
• toasted sesame seeds - again, they should definitely be toasted, to maximize the depth of flavor!
• more Sriracha - because I love the kick! Definitely feel free to omit it if you like!

Step-By-Step

If you can chop veggies and boil water, you can make this spicy noodle salad and then feel like you're having a delicious al fresco lunch in a trendy restaurant! Let me walk you through how to make it.

1. Boil your pasta according to package directions. Banza recommends 8-10 minutes. I never go over 8 because you want the pasta to still be a bit al dente.
2. Once the pasta is done, drain it in a colander while running cold water over it to stop the cooking process.
3. In a large bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients - peanut butter, tamari, vinegar, sweetener, garlic, ginger, mustard, sriracha, and sesame oil. Whisk well until smooth.
4. Toss the spaghetti in the dressing to coat it well. Be a little gentle with the noodles -- unlike wheat noodles, gluten free pasta is slightly less stretchy and sturdy.
5. Add your toppings and serve your noodle salad!

Tips and F.A.Q.

More Savory Recipes You'll Love

• Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chunks
• Puff Pastry Pizza
• Sweet Potato Patties with Chickpeas and Creamy Avocado Sauce
• Fried Potatoes and Onions

PIN this spicy cold noodle salad for later!