Thainoodle salad with the best ever peanut sauce
Thai Noodle Salad with the BEST EVER Peanut Sauce- loaded up with healthy veggies!
Vegan and Gluten-Free!
The other day I got a hankering for an old standby we used to have on the Mizuna menu, the vegetarian restaurant my friend Tonia and I started together way back when. Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce. Here it’s made with rice noodles and a boatload of crunchy veggies- cabbage, carrots, bell pepper and radish, then tossed in the most flavorful, balanced peanut sauce eeeeeeeeeever. 
Yes I may be biased – I’ve had many versions of peanut sauce, here and throughout Asia, but this peanut sauce is still hands-down my all-time very favorite! Not too sweet, perfectly balanced. The secret ingredient is fresh orange juice, giving it a delicious brightness. I highly recommend making a double batch of the peanut sauce to use with spring rolls or buddha bowls. If you are like me you will be eating it by the spoonful. It’s that good!
This Thai noodle salad is great made ahead, keeps well for 3-4 days -perfect for midweek meals and lunches. Top this with flavorful Sesame Ginger Tofu or chicken for added protein. So delicious!
A simple delicious recipe for Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce, loaded up with healthy veggies. Vegan and Gluten free, this make-ahead salad is perfect for midweek lunches or large gatherings. Make a double batch of the peanut sauce and use for Buddha Bowls and Spring rolls- trust me you will want to! Add Sesame Ginger Tofu for added protein!
ingredients
  • 6 ounces dry noodles (brown rice noodles, pad thai style rice noodles, soba noodles, linguini)
  • 4 cups mix of cabbage, carrots and radish, shredded or grated
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely sliced
  • 3 scallions, sliced
  • ½ bunch cilantro, chopped (or sub basil and mint)
  • 1 tablespoon (or less, or more) jalapeño, finely chopped
  • ¼-½ cup roasted, crushed peanuts ( garnish)
  • Thai Peanut Sauce ( make a double batch and save the rest for another use)
  • 3 thin slices ginger- cut across the grain, about the size of a quarter.
  • 1 fat clove garlic
  • ¼ cup peanut butter
  • 1 orange ( ¼ cup orange juice)
  • 1 med-large lime (3 tablespoon lime juice)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or GF Braggs Liquid Amino Acids (Note: Tamari will turn this unpleasantly dark )
  • 3 tablespoons honey or agave
  • 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • ½ -1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ( or a squirt of sriracha sauce)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to directions on package. ( See notes for rice noodles) Drain and chill under cold running water.
  2. In the meantime, blend the peanut sauce ingredients together in a blender until smooth.
  3. Place shredded veggies, bell pepper, scallions, cilantro and jalapeño in a bowl. Toss. Add the cold noodles to the bowl and toss again. Pour the peanut sauce over top and toss well to combine.
  4. Taste, adjust the salt and serve, garnishing with roasted peanuts and cilantro and a lime wedge.
notes
If cooking pad thai style rice noodles, add the noodles to a pot of boiling water. Turn heat off, stir and let steep 2-3 minutes until tender, drain and run under cool water.