Sesame Noodle Salad

Sesame Noodle Salad, so quick and easy! Thin noodles infused with a sesame, honey, soy sauce dressing.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated December 13, 2022
Elise Bauer
Sesame Noodle Salad
Elise Bauer

Is it hot where you are? We've had an unseasonably cool several days, but the weather reports assure us that that's about to change.

This sesame noodle salad is a perfect cold noodle salad for a hot day. Make the noodles and the dressing ahead of time and let the noodles soak in all the flavor from the dressing (sesame oil, honey, soy sauce).

Then toss it with green onions, cilantro, bell pepper and peanuts right before serving. Yum!

Sesame Noodle Salad
Elise Bauer

You can also add cubed cooked chicken to the salad to make it a more substantial meal, or some tahini for a creamier sesame flavor. If you take it to a potluck picnic, double the recipe! This one is a crowd pleaser.

Recipe and photos updated, first published 2006

Sesame Noodle Salad

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Servings 4 to 6 servings

If substituting tamari for soy sauce, use less because it is more concentrated.

Ingredients

Honey Soy Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil

  • 3 tablespoons dark sesame oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper or chili powder (optional)

  • 3 tablespoons honey

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Salad:

  • 12 ounces vermicelli, thin spaghetti, or angel hair pasta

  • Salt

  • 2/3 cup coarsely chopped cilantro

  • 1/3 cup chopped roasted salted peanuts

  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions

  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Method

  1. Prepare the dressing:

    Put the dressing ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.

  2. Cook the pasta:

    Put the pasta in a large pot in salted boiling water (1 Tbsp salt for every 2 quarts of water). Cook al dente, according to the directions on the pasta package. Drain.

  3. Toss with dressing, chill:

    Stir together the cooked pasta and the dressing in a large bowl until the pasta is well coated. Cover and chill for several hours.

  4. Stir in cilantro, peanuts, green onions, bell pepper:

    When ready to serve, mix in the cilantro, peanuts, green onions and bell pepper. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

Sesame Noodle Salad
Elise Bauer
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
324 Calories
21g Fat
30g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 324
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 426mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 21mg 104%
Calcium 31mg 2%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 154mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.