Colorful and healthy Thai Noodle Salad with peanut dressing proves that salads can be both colorful and healthy. This Asian-inspired dish combines soft rice noodles with crisp fresh vegetables and a creamy, flavorful peanut sauce that perfectly balances sweet, salty, and spicy elements. Refreshing and satisfying, this cold noodle salad is ideal for hot summer days and makes an excellent meal you can enjoy on the go or at home.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of this Thai noodle salad lies in the contrast of textures and flavors. The soft, translucent rice noodles provide a neutral base that absorbs the rich peanut dressing, while crisp vegetables add freshness and crunch. The peanut dressing brings together sweet honey, savory soy sauce, warm spices, and creamy peanut butter to create a sauce that’s both satisfying and refreshing.
Understanding Rice Noodles
Rice noodles are made from rice flour, giving them a softer texture and milder flavor than wheat-based noodles. Their translucent appearance has earned them the nickname “glass noodles.” The beauty of rice noodles is their simple preparation method. Instead of boiling, you simply pour hot water over them and let them sit for about 8 minutes, making them perfect for kitchens without full cooking facilities.
Thai Noodle Salad Ingredients
This beautiful and healthy salad has a few components. Here are lists of what you need for the salad, dressing, and garnish. Scroll down for substitutions and extra additions.
Ingredients
Noodle Salad Base:
- Rice noodles – Soft, translucent noodles that provide the perfect base for absorbing flavors
- Red bell pepper – Adds sweet crunch and vibrant color to the mix
- Red cabbage – Provides crisp texture and beautiful purple color contrast
- Cucumber – Delivers refreshing coolness and satisfying crunch
- Carrots – Contribute natural sweetness and bright orange color
- Peanuts – Add protein, healthy fats, and delightful crunch
- Fresh cilantro – Brings bright, herbaceous freshness that complements Asian flavors
- Fresh mint leaves – Provide cooling, aromatic freshness that enhances the overall experience
Thai Peanut Dressing:
- Smooth peanut butter – Creates the creamy, rich base that binds all flavors together
- Ginger powder – Adds warm, spicy depth that’s essential to Thai cuisine
- Garlic powder – Provides savory aromatic complexity
- Cayenne pepper – Brings adjustable heat that balances the sweet and salty elements
- Soy sauce – Contributes essential umami and saltiness
- Honey – Balances the heat and saltiness with natural sweetness
Fresh Garnishes:
- Cilantro – Additional fresh herb garnish for color and flavor
- Mint – Extra cooling freshness for the final touch
- Lime Juice – Bright citrus acidity that enhances all other flavors
- Red chili pepper – Optional heat and visual appeal for spice lovers
How to Make Thai Noodle Salad
- Soak the rice noodles in lukewarm water, or follow the package instructions, until they are soft.
- Place bell pepper, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, peanuts, cilantro, and mint in a large bowl.
- Place peanut butter, ginger powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, soy sauce, and honey in a bowl. Whisk until combined and smooth.
- Drain rice noodles and add them to the salad bowl.
- Mix all salad ingredients together.
- Pour dressing on the salad and toss until well combined.
- Adjust salt, spices, or honey if needed.
- Serve the salad cold and garnish as desired.
Recipe Notes and Ingredient Substitutions
- Add sliced beef or chicken for additional protein.
- Seafood like shrimp will also fit perfectly.
- If you are vegan and you want it to be high protein, swap the rice noodles to quinoa or black rice.
- You can substitute the peanuts with cashews or almonds.
- You can substitute the peanut butter with almond butter or tahini.
- You can substitute the rice noodles with soba or pad Thai noodles
Optional Vegetables to Add to the Salad
Add these tasty veggies or swap them out with others to make the salad to your liking:
- White cabbage
- Roasted beets
- Green and yellow bell pepper
- Bean sprouts
- Mango
- Broccoli
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Check out more of my easy Asian food recipes and the best salad recipes here on CopyKat!
Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces rice noodles
- 1 cup sliced red bell pepper
- 4 cups sliced red cabbage
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 2 cups carrots peeled and sliced thin
- 1/3 cup peanuts
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon mint leaves
Peanut butter dressing
- 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint leaves
- 1 lime – sliced into wedges
Instructions
Peanut Butter Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk peanut butter, spices, soy sauce, and honey together.
Salad Preparation
- Soak rice noodles in lukewarm water or depending on the brand instructions until soft.
- Add bell pepper, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, peanuts, cilantro and mint in a large salad bowl.
- Drain rice noodles and add to the salad bowl. Combine all together.
- Pour dressing on veggies and toss until well combined.
- Serve cold with garnish.
Now that I have the recipe, I tried this tonight. Awesome meal. I would give it 5 stars but I had to add more soy and a couple of tsps of water to the peanut butter mixture. Without that, it’s just way too thick. It cannot be ‘poured’. I have this bookmarked though.