As we transition from chilly days to brighter spring weather, I love bringing fresh, colorful dishes to the table. This crunchy Asian-inspired noodle salad is full of crisp vegetables, fresh cilantro, tender rice noodles, and roasted peanuts, all tossed in a vibrant citrus peanut dressing.
The dressing is the star of the show — a delicious balance of creamy peanut butter, fresh orange and lemon juice, ginger, and a little chili heat. It’s tangy, nutty, slightly sweet, and incredibly refreshing!
Perfect for a light lunch, a colorful side dish, or an easy make-ahead meal. 🌿
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 medium red bell pepper, julienned
- ¼ small red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 cucumbers, seeded and julienned
- A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
- A handful of roasted peanuts, chopped
- 2 tbsp black sesame (nigella) seeds
- 100 g rice noodles, cooked according to package instructions
For the citrus peanut dressing:
- Juice of ½ orange
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp honey
- 3 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the vegetables by julienning the carrot, red bell pepper, and cucumbers. Thinly slice the red cabbage and chop the cilantro and peanuts.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, peanut butter, ginger, chili flakes, honey, and oil until smooth and creamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled rice noodles, prepared vegetables, and cilantro.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Top with chopped roasted peanuts and black sesame seeds. Toss lightly and serve immediately, or refrigerate briefly to let the flavors come together.
- ✨ Tip: If making ahead, keep the peanuts and dressing separate until just before serving to preserve the crunch and freshness.
- Fresh, crunchy, tangy, and full of flavor — this is the kind of salad that makes eating your vegetables feel like a treat! 🥢🥕🥜