Cold Sesame Noodles
These Cold Sesame Noodles are absolutely perfect for warm days. This dish tastes nutty, without any nuts. It's easy to make, healthy, and delicious!
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 16 oz dried noodles, spaghetti or linguine work well
- 5 tablespoons Asian toasted dark sesame oil, found in Asian aisles of grocery stores
- ½ cup pure Tahini, sesame paste
- 5 tablespoons regular soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ cup water, hot
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced thin or julienned
- 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced thin or julienned
- cooked shredded chicken, or cooked shrimp (optional)
Garnishes:
- thinly sliced green onions
- toasted sesame seeds
- sriracha, on the side
Instructions
- Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling, well-salted water until tender, according to package instructions.
- Drain and rinse thoroughly with very cold water until all noodles are cool. Drain well. Toss with 2 TB sesame oil and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining sesame oil, Tahini, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, ginger powder, and white pepper.
- Add 1/4 cup hot water to thin out the sauce; whisk until combined.
- Add cooked/cooled pasta, cucumbers, and carrots to the sauce. Toss well to combine. If using chicken or shrimp, add those and toss to combine. Garnish as desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Toss the noodles with a little sesame oil right after rinsing. This keeps them from sticking and adds an extra layer of flavor even before you mix in the sauce.
- Use good-quality Asian toasted sesame oil and pure tahini for the best flavor. Tahini gives the sauce richness and body, while toasted sesame oil adds a nutty depth that mimics the taste of peanut-based sauces - without the peanuts.
- Slice the cucumber and carrot thinly so they add crisp texture without overpowering the noodles. A julienne peeler or mandoline can make quick work of this.
- Toss everything together just before serving. The noodles absorb the sauce over time, so mixing right before helps keep things flavorful and saucy.
- Leftovers are still delicious but will dry out a bit. Add a drizzle of sesame oil or warm water and toss again before eating cold or at room temperature.
- This recipe is part of our Healthy Takeout Recipes Collection.
- Cold Sesame Noodles go well with savory mains like Asian Glazed Meatballs or 30-Minute Asian Orange Beef.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 858mg | Potassium: 398mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1748IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg