Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

Name: Cold Peanut Noodle Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: ½ cup soy sauce; ½ cup peanut butter; 2 cloves garlic; ¼ cup rice vinegar; ¼ cup sesame oil; 1 teaspoon ginger powder; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 2 pinches red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon water (plus more if needed to achieve desired consistency); 16 ounces whole wheat spaghetti (soba noodles, whole wheat spaghetti, or plain spaghetti); ½ cup purple cabbage (finely shredded); ½ cup red or yellow bell pepper (diced); ½ cup carrots (shredded); ½ cup tofu (finely cubed); ⅓ cup green onions (finely sliced); ¼ cup roasted peanuts (chopped); 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds

Who can resist a colorful cold peanut noodle salad? Not us! These Asian-style noodles with savory peanut sauce are refreshing and very versatile—and, even better, can be enjoyed year-round. Chilled noodles combined with fresh, crisp veggies and plant-based protein are a dazzling and delicious blend of fabulous flavors and tempting textures. What more can you ask for in a meat-free meal?

You’ll love how fun and easy it is to prep this recipe! If you don’t like taking a big chunk of time out of your schedule to food prep, do it in small steps. Wash and chop veggies while listening to your favorite audiobook one day, cook and store the noodles on another day, and finally throw it all together the next free moment you have. In the end, you’ll have at least a few mouthwatering meals to grab any time you want!

If you’re ready to prepare the most delightful (and nourishing) peanut noodle salad you’ve ever tasted, let’s get started! Peanut Noodle lovers will also fall in love with this sizzling peanut stir-fry and vegan pad thai noodle recipe!

Table of Contents

Why This Cold Noodle Salad is So Awesome

There’s nothing better than a no-heat, grab-and-go meal that’s ready for you any time. Here’s why we love this cold Asian noodle salad so much:

Easy and Inexpensive. Veggies, a block of tofu, and a pound of pasta are not only affordable but usually already in your fridge or pantry.
Incredibly Delicious. Varying textures and contrasting flavors are key to a successful salad. A mixture of crisp veggies (like we use in our mixed pickled veggies!) and soft tofu along with a warm sauce and cool noodles make this the ultimate in taste sensation.
Very Versatile. Not only can you change up the type of veggies but also the shape of noodles, the flavor of the sauce, and the plant-based protein you choose. Throw this salad together using your own taste preferences and favorite foods.
Meal Prep Friendly. Simply slice up some veggies, whip up the sauce, and cook the pasta. After that, divide it up and seal it into containers for at least a few meals completely ready for the week. Yay!

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

When it comes to creating the perfect Asian cold noodle salad, your choice of ingredients can make all the difference. You’ll adore the silky noodles, the vibrant vegetables, and, most of all, the irresistible peanut sauce! Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients for cold peanut noodle salad with labels.

Noodles – Even though spaghetti noodles are traditional, you can easily substitute for orzo, corkscrew, or penne pasta. Feel free to choose any healthy noodles or pasta shapes you like.
Sliced Veggies – The thinner the veggies, the better. Chunks are great for roasting, but thin slices are the best for salad. Use a mandolin slicer if you don’t like so much slicing. Since the noodles and tofu are soft and neutral-colored, try to choose crisp, vibrant, and colorful vegetables for your salad.
Tofu – Any tofu will work in this recipe. If you want to give a try to raw tofu or marinated tofu, this salad may be even more tempting. For those who aren’t too excited about tofu, how about adding air fryer tempeh instead?
Peanut Sauce – This versatile sauce makes this recipe next-level delicious. Its creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavor not only adds a little extra protein but brings in a whole lot of flavor. A little goes a long way! (Hint: Save some for topping tofu satay, dunking sweet potato fries, or leftover spring rolls.)
Nuts and/or Seeds – A little bit of crunch and contrasting color with nuts or seeds is a wonderful topping for the salad. Excellent choices include black or white sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or roasted cashews. You’ll get a small dose of healthy fat, vitamins, and minerals to boot!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make This Cold Noodle Salad

The process of making this cold peanut noodle salad couldn’t be easier! Follow these simple steps and get ready to enjoy your refreshing salad in 30 minutes or less!

Step 1: Make the Sauce – In a blender, combine soy sauce, peanut butter, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger powder, maple syrup, red pepper flakes, and water. Blend until smooth, adjusting consistency as needed by adding water gradually for a thinner peanut sauce. Set aside.

Ingredients for the peanut sauce added to a food processor.

The blended peanut sauce for the cold noodle salad in a food processor.

Step 2: Make Pasta and Cut Veggies – Cook the pasta following package instructions, then drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside. Prep vegetables while the pasta cooks.

Step 3: Mix Everything Together – In a large serving bowl, mix cooked noodles, purple cabbage, bell pepper, carrots, tofu, green onions, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Drizzle with peanut sauce and toss until well combined.

The cold noodle salad ingredients all mixed together in a large mixing bowl.

A hand pouring the peanut sauce over the cold noodle salad.

Serving Tips and Suggestions For This Asian Noodle Salad

Crafting a cold peanut noodle salad is as much fun to make as it is to eat. With so many options for each of the ingredients, it’s almost impossible to get bored using this salad recipe. Here are some of our best suggestions for swaps and appetizing additions:

Pile It into Lettuce Cups – Spoon the peanut noodles into crisp romaine or butter lettuce leaves for a fun, hand-held twist. It’s crunchy, refreshing, and perfect for picnics or parties with family and friends. Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or chopped peanuts for extra flavor.
Top It with Crispy Tofu or Chickpeas – Want to make it a bit heartier? Add some pan-fried tofu triangles or crispy roasted chickpeas on top. They bring protein, crunch, and even more flavor to the bowl. Plus, it makes the salad feel like a full meal!
Perfect for Picnics – For a super easy picnic lunch, make a batch of this noodle salad ahead of time. You won’t have to worry about heating it, and it’s so colorful that it’s bound to brighten up your day.
Savory to Sweet – If you’re brave and adventurous, how about swapping the veggies for fruit? Thinly slice up strawberries, mangos, cucumbers, sweet red onion, and add in orange segments (like we use in our tropical fruit salad recipe!) Top with a scoop of noodles, sweet roasted chickpeas, peanut sauce (or, for sweet lovers, maple cream sauce), and candied walnuts.
Roll It Up – Don’t compost (or throw out) any remaining cold noodle salad, no matter how small. Save it for rice paper wraps! Fill lightly soaked spring roll rice paper wrappers with leftover salad, fold in the sides, and then roll up into cylinder shapes. Place in a sealed container in the fridge until ready to eat. Serve with more rich peanut sauce and possibly some sweet & sour tofu triangles for another appetizing meal.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store any leftover cold Asian noodle salad?

Storing your leftover noodles is a cinch! Our favorite tip is to keep all of the ingredients separate, if possible. That way, everything (including the sauce) can be used for another purpose as well as being the best way to keep all of the ingredients fresher longer. Feel free to store the veggies together, but try to keep the noodles, sauce, and tofu (or your choice of plant-based protein) in different sealed containers.

Can I make this Asian noodle salad recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you sure can! Simply use your favorite brand of gluten-free spaghetti instead. For an extra veggie-powered salad, whip up a batch of cucumber or zucchini noodles for a fresh, cool twist!

How long will this cold peanut noodle salad last in the fridge?

It will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 4-5 days if stored correctly.