Spicy Noodle Salad Recipe – A Fiery Delight!
Are you looking for a dish that is easy to make, packed with flavor, and sure to impress your guests? Look no further than my Spicy Noodle Salad recipe. This salad is the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and sweet, making it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
But don’t let the word “spicy” scare you away – this recipe is easily customizable to your desired level of heat. And with a variety of fresh veggies and a protein of your choice, it’s a well-rounded meal that’s both delicious and nutritious.
Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a tasty lunch option, give my Spicy Noodle Salad recipe a try. Your taste buds (and guests) will thank you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Spicy Noodle Salad Recipe is a flavor explosion in every bite. It is a perfect blend of spice, salt, sweetness and tanginess that will keep you coming back for more. Here are just a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
Firstly, it is vegetarian-friendly and easily adaptable to be vegan or gluten-free. All the ingredients are plant-based, so it can easily fit into any dietary requirements.
Next, this noodle salad recipe comes together in under 30 minutes! It is a quick and easy meal that can be enjoyed any day of the week. You can even make it ahead of time for a party or gathering.
The spicy peanut sauce is the real winner of this dish. Its creamy texture mixed with the heat from the red pepper flakes creates an irresistible flavor that pairs perfectly with cold Asian noodles.
Additionally, this salad is filled with crunchy vegetables such as carrot, green onions, red cabbage and green cabbage. These add a nice texture and freshness to the dish.
Lastly, this recipe works well as either a main course or side dish. You can enjoy it on its own for lunch or dinner or pair it with some grilled shrimp or chicken for a heartier meal.
In conclusion, whether you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner or something to bring to your next party, this Spicy Noodle Salad Recipe will leave your taste buds satisfied and begging for more.
Ingredient List
Here’s a list of all the ingredients you’ll need to make this spicy noodle salad recipe:
For the salad:
- 4 cups of boiling water
- 8 oz of soba noodles (or rice noodles for a gluten-free option)
- 1 large carrot, julienne or grated
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 cup of red cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup of green cabbage, shredded
For the dressing:
- 5 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of canola oil
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 tsp of ginger, minced or grated
- ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
For the spicy peanut sauce:
- ½ cup of creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons of fish sauce (omit for vegan option)
- 1 garlic clove, minced or grated
- juice from half a lime
- ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
Optional toppings:
- sliced bell pepper
- crunchy sesame seeds
Most ingredients can be found easily at your local grocery store. Make sure to read through the ingredient list and the recipe instructions before you start cooking to ensure you have everything on hand.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s get right into the recipe how-to. This spicy noodle salad recipe is incredibly easy to make and can be customized to your liking.
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Firstly, bring a pot of boiling water to a boil and cook your choice of noodles according to their package instructions. Once done, drain them in a colander and rinse them under cold running water to prevent them from getting too soft or mushy.
Step 2: Make the Spicy Peanut Sauce
While the noodles are cooking, prepare the spicy peanut sauce. In a separate bowl, mix together peanut butter, honey, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, crushed red pepper flakes (for a spicier option), and take it up a notch by adding fish sauce or shrimp paste to give it an Asian flavor. Mix everything well until smooth.
Step 3: Chop Vegetables and Toasted Sesame Seeds
Chop 1 large carrot, thinly slice 1 bell pepper, 4 cups of cabbages (red & green), and few stalks of green onions keep aside. Toast some sesame seeds for garnish.
Step 4: Toss It All Together with Cold Noodles
In a large non-stick pan add some canola oil and stir fry vegetables until they just become tender for about 5 minutes. Add crushed garlic clove and ginger at this point for additional flavor. Now, add the cooked noodles along with the spicy peanut sauce. Mix everything using tongs or two forks until all noodles are coated well with spices, vegetables and sauce.
Step 5: Chill Before Serving
Refrigerate the spicy peanut noodle salad for about an hour before serving. Drizzle with extra sesame seeds on top for that crunchy feel! Alternatively, you may serve it warm as well.
That’s it! Your spicy noodle salad is now ready to be served. This refreshing chilled salad is perfect for any occasion – be it lunch, dinner or even added as a side dish to your potlucks.
Substitutions and Variations
The beauty of this spicy noodle salad recipe is its versatility. It’s perfect for those who love to experiment with ingredients and customize their meals. Here are some substitutions and variations you can try with this recipe:
Gluten-free and vegan: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce, and rice noodles instead of Soba noodles. To make it vegan, skip the chicken bouillon powder, and use vegetable bouillon granules instead.
Spice level: If you love bold flavors but can’t handle too much heat, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes. If you want to increase the spice level, add some Sriracha or hot sauce.
Protein options: This noodle salad pairs well with shrimp or chicken. You can also try adding some tofu for a vegetarian option.
Vegetable substitutions: Instead of cabbage, try using kale or spinach for added greens. You can also add thinly sliced bell pepper or snap peas for an extra crunch.
Sauce variations: This recipe calls for a spicy peanut sauce made with peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil and rice vinegar. But you can always switch it up by making a sesame ginger dressing or a Thai-inspired peanut sauce.
Crunchy toppings: Top your noodle salad with chopped peanuts or almonds for an added crunch. Alternatively, you can go for crispy wonton strips or fried onions to enhance the texture.
By experimenting with these substitutions and variations, you can create unique versions of this spicy noodle salad that cater to your personal preferences.
Serving and Pairing
Once you’ve made this spicy noodle salad recipe, you’re probably wondering what to serve it with. The versatile nature of a spicy noodle salad means it pairs well with many different types of food.
For a complete and satisfying meal, you could pair it with some grilled chicken or shrimp. If you want to keep it vegetarian or vegan, tofu or tempeh would be excellent protein options.
The cool and refreshing nature of the salad makes it a great compliment to any spicy or salty dishes. You can also serve it up as an appetizer or side dish. It’s perfect for outdoor barbecues, potlucks, or even as a quick grab-and-go lunch option.
If you want to take the serving presentation up a notch, place the salad on top of mixed greens or butter lettuce to add more volume and crunch to your dish. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for an extra flair of color and texture.
In terms of pairing with drinks, this salad recipe perfectly complements light-bodied white wines such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to balance out the spiciness in the dressing sauce. For non-alcoholic options, sparkling water or tea are tasty options.
Overall, the serving and pairing possibilities for this spicy noodle salad recipe are really up to your taste preference and imagination!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once prepared, the Spicy Noodle Salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container. When it’s time to devour again, give the salad a quick toss to redistribute the ingredients before serving. You may find that the flavors have intensified overnight, making it even more delicious.
This is also a great dish to make ahead of time for parties and potlucks. Simply prepare all of the ingredients as directed and keep them separate. Only combine them together right before serving to keep the noodles from getting too soggy.
If you have leftovers, it’s best not to freeze them as this can negatively affect both the texture and flavor of the ingredients. Instead, store leftovers in the refrigerator and simply reheat thoroughly in a skillet or microwave.
What’s great about this recipe is that it can easily be adapted to your preferences by changing out any ingredients that you might not like or have on hand. For example, if you’re not a fan of shrimp or chicken, then simply omit these proteins altogether and enjoy as a vegan side-dish.
Overall, the Spicy Noodle Salad is a versatile recipe that’s perfect for meal prep or entertaining. With its crunchy and flavorful mix of veggies and noodles, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the perfect spicy noodle salad, you need to keep in mind some details. Here are my tips for making the ultimate dish that will leave a lasting impression on everyone at the party:
First, make sure to cook the noodles properly. Overcooked noodles become too soft and can break easily, while undercooked noodles are too hard and chewy. You want to aim for al dente – firm but not crunchy.
Second, when prepping your vegetables for the salad, take your time with the cuts. Uniformly cut veggies will ensure that each bite has a perfect crunch, texture and taste.
Third, don’t be afraid of adding more spices! The recipe calls for crushed red pepper flakes, which add heat to the dish, but if you can handle it, feel free to add more!
Fourth, let your salad marinate in the fridge for at least an hour. This allows all the flavors to meld together and lets the dressing soak into the vegetables and noodles.
Fifth, when serving the salad, make sure it is nice and cold. The combination of cold noodles and crisp veggies makes for a refreshing bite that will awaken anyone’s taste buds.
Finally, don’t forget to sprinkle sesames seeds on top before serving. This adds a bit of nuttiness to the dish and gives it an eye-catching look that will have your guests reaching for seconds.
With these simple tips in mind, I am confident that you’ll make a perfect spicy noodle salad every time!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this spicy noodle salad recipe is both delicious and versatile. With the right mix of ingredients, it can be tailored to fit any taste or dietary restrictions you may have. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a healthy, flavorful meal, this recipe is sure to deliver. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of ingredients and techniques – after all, cooking is an art form that requires creativity and experimentation. And if you’re looking for a way to impress your guests, consider serving this dish with some crunchy toppings or pairing it with a cold Asian noodle soup for a complete meal. So what are you waiting for? Give this spicy noodle salad recipe a try and discover why it’s become such a staple in kitchens around the world!
Spicy Noodle Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup instant low-fat chinese noodles, broken (I use Rooster Brand Instant Noodles)
- 3 cups boiling water
- 2 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded (or green cabbage)
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 medium red pepper, finely diced
- 1 cup carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
Dressing
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder or 1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon granules
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, dried
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Put noodles into medium bowl; Pour boiling water over noodles; let stand for 5 minutes; drain; rinse with cold water and return to bowl.
- In a large bowl combine cabbage, onions, pepper, carrot and sesame seeds; toss.
- To make the dressing, heat oil in a small skillet or saucepan; saute garlic for 1 minute; add water, ginger, bouillon, chilies, and honey; bring to a boil.
- Stir soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and cornstarch together in a small cup until smooth; pour into hot bouillon chili mixture; stir until boiling and thickened.
- Remove dressing from heat and cool slightly.
- Add cool noodles to cabbage mixture; pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.
- Makes 7 cups - This salad is excellent 1/2 hour to a day after being made; store in a sealed container in refrigerator.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Recipes Just For You
Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!