Easy Thai Inspired Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce

This Thai noodle salad recipe can be made in just 20 minutes!

A creamy, spicy peanut sauce envelops the noodles and fresh veggies for a delicious bite every time!

Delicious for a quick lunch or dinner!

This is one of my favorite recipes when I want a quick meal just like this recipe and this recipe. It’s inspired by asian flavors but made super simply at home.  If you love thai flavours, you’re sure to enjoy this delicious salad.

Why you’ll love this cold thai noodle salad recipe

• It’s simple to make!
• You can make the noodles and prep the fresh veggies ahead of time. Then, simply mix with the peanut dressing and serve!
• It’s easy to substitute in your favorite vegetables too.
• I used rice noodles which you only need to soak so there is truly no cooking needed for this recipe.

I absolutely love the rice noodles in this salad because they’re so versatile. The noodles are the perfect vessel for the delectable peanut sauce and hold up well to all the colourful vegetables.

Ingredients needed to make this thai noodle salad recipe

Peanut butter: smooth peanut butter will work to make the best sauce in this recipe.

Chili-garlic sauce:  adds spiciness to the dressing but you can use any hot sauce you have on hand.

Lime juice: gives the dressing fresh burst of flavour.

Tamari or Soy sauce: to make this a truly gluten-free dish use tamari or coconut aminos, otherwise you can definitey use soy sauce.

Rice noodles: a simple type of noodle that’s commonly used in Asian cuisine, you can use thin rice noodles or vermicelli. Alternatively you can use a wider rice noodle sometimes labeled ‘pad thai noodles.’

Vegetables:  You can use chopped vegetables of your choice like red bell pepper or yellow bell peppers, radishes, cucumbers and snap peas

Nuts: you can use chopped crunchy peanuts or cashews

Fresh herbs: Herbs like fresh basil, mint or chopped cilantro for garnish

You should be able to find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store. If you want to make substitutions, I’ve got ideas for you below so you are able to make this salad with whichever ingredients you can find.

Step by step process to make this Thai rice noodle salad

Step 1: Cook or soak the rice noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Step 2: Chop up the vegetables and add to a large bowl.

Step 3: Make the spicy peanut sauce by whisking together peanut butter, chili-garlic sauce, juice of half a lime, soy sauce or tamari and 2 tbsp hot water. It should be a somewhat thick sauce but don’t fret as when mixed with the noodles it will loosen up.

Step 4: Add the noodles to the large bowl bowl with the vegetables and toss with all of the peanut sauce. If needed, add a tablespoon or two of hot water to help combine.

Step 5: Top with chopped peanuts or cashews and some fresh herbs and enjoy!

I love this salad in the Spring & Summer when I want a refreshing meal. However, it would be delicious anytime of year especially if you’re craving lots of vegetables.

Expert tips

• Other crunchy veggies you could use in this recipe are red cabbage, shredded carrots or chopped cucumber.
• Most rice noodles are delicate so they generally just need a soak in some boiled water which is why this recipe is so great! There’s truly ‘no-cooking’ needed.
• While cold noodle salads like this make a great meal by themselves, you could also serve them as a side dish to chicken or pork.

FAQ

What type of noodles is best for this recipe?
Rice noodles are the best noodles for this salad – you can use thin rice noodles or rice vermicelli noodles or a wider rice noodle sometimes labeled ‘pad thai noodles. In a pinch you could also try brown rice noodles, glass noodles or even spaghetti noodles!

What if I don’t want the creamy peanut sauce to be super spicy?
Use just 1 tbsp of hot sauce and then add an additionally 1 tbsp of peanut butter.

How can I meal prep these noodles?
Divide the noodles and vegetables evenly amongst 2-3 containers. Then add the peanut sauce. Store in the fridge and when ready to enjoy toss together the pasta, vegetables and sauce in the container. This salad will taste better meal-prepped this way as if stored all mixed together, the excess water from the vegetables can dilute the deliciousness of the peanut sauce.

Why is this called a cold noodle salad?
This salad is delicious if it’s been prepped ahead of time and mixed together straight out of the fridge hence the ‘cold salad’ description. However, it’s also wonderful just made and at room temperature.

Storage

Store leftovers in a container in the fridge for 1-2 days.

More quick recipes to love from the blog:

Easy One Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe

Chili Lime Baked Salmon with Mango Salsa

Peanut Chicken Power Bowls

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess