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    Home » Salads and Dressings » Super Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce

    Super Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce

    Published: Apr 2, 2019 · Modified: Apr 26, 2020 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 26 Comments

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    Pinterest pin for Thai Salad with Peanut Sauce
    Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad pin
    A bowl of Thai-style noodle salad with peanut sauce pin
    A bowl of Thai-style noodle salad with peanut sauce pin

    Healthy enough for a weeknight family dinner and elegant enough for a dinner party, this Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad is loaded with fresh veggies. Crisp peppers, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, cilantro and crunchy peanuts are all tossed together with rice noodles and a spicy Thai-style peanut sauce!

    Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad in a serving bowl
    This recipe for Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce has been hiding out on the archives here on the blog. I've tweaked it, added new photos and I'm sharing it with you because it's just SO good!

    It's a long-time favourite of ours. It has vibrant colours, contrasting textures, and it's easy to make it as spicy or as mild as you like. I made a big bowl for our family dinner on the weekend and served it with my Easy Thai Chicken Skewers.

    Crisp peppers, cabbage, carrots, cucumber and crunchy peanuts are all tossed together with rice noodles and a spicy Thai-style peanut sauce. Adjust the amount of chili sauce in the recipe if you like it spicier!

     

    Thai Noodle Salad in two square bowls with chopsticks

    This salad is healthy enough for a weeknight family dinner and elegant and interesting enough for a dinner party. It's a popular potluck offering because everyone loves it!

    Not only that, it's gluten-free and it can be paleo too, if you replace the peanut sauce with cashew cream or avocado cream or a dressing of your choice. This Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad is simple to prepare and you can make most of it in advance.

    Ready to get started?

    Ingredients for Thai Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce

    Ingredients for Thai Salad with Peanut Sauce

    • rice noodles:  your choice--white rice noodles, brown rice noodles, vermicelli, or try it with well-drained zucchini noodles!
    • green cabbage:  Savoy or Napa
    • red cabbage: aka purple cabbage
    • carrots
    • bell peppers:  1 red, 1 orange, 1 yellow
    • cucumber:  I used a Long English cucumber
    • green onions and radishes
    • cilantro
    • peanuts: you can substitute cashews if you're following a paleo diet
    • sesame seeds: either white or black

    To make homemade spicy peanut sauce, you'll need

    • peanut butter: substitute almond butter if you're avoiding peanuts or on a paleo diet
    • canned coconut milk
    • soy sauce (or coconut aminos for paleo diet)
    • rice vinegar
    • garlic:  fresh is always best!
    • ginger: again, fresh is always best. Fresh ginger has much more flavour than powdered ginger.
    • sweet chili sauce
    • lime juice

    Thai style noodle salad in a glass serving bowl

    Tips for Making the Best Thai Noodle Salad

    Just break down the recipe into these steps:

    1. Make the Spicy Peanut Sauce first. Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Save the remaining part of the can of coconut milk for another use, or toss it in your morning smoothie. You can make the peanut sauce a few days in advance as it keeps well in the refrigerator. You'll have extra, so store leftovers it in a small jar in the fridge or freezer.
    2. Cook the rice noodles. Put the rice noodles or vermicelli in a large pot of boiling water and cook according to package directions, stirring once after 2 minutes to break up the noodles. Drain, rinse thoroughly in cold water, and set aside.
    3. Chop the vegetables. Use a julienne cutter or very sharp knife to slice the cabbage, peppers, and green onions and radishes. If your cucumber has lots of seeds, remove them by scraping the length of the cucumber with a spoon. Seeding the cucumber will help to avoid having too much water in the salad.
    4. Toss the salad, garnish and serve! Toss the vegetables and the rice noodles together until well combined. You may need to give the rice noodles another rinse if they are starting to stick together. Add the peanut sauce and toss again. Garnish with chopped cilantro, coarsely chopped peanuts and sesame seeds just before serving.
    Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad in a serving bowl

    Super Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad

    Crisp peppers, cabbage, carrots and cucumber, crunchy peanuts are all tossed together with rice vermicelli and a spicy Thai-style peanut sauce in this Super Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Thai
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 161kcal
    Author: Elaine
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    Ingredients

    Spicy Peanut Sauce

    • ½ cup peanut butter natural, no-sugar added, creamy style
    • ½ cup coconut milk canned
    • 2 tablespoon coconut aminos or tamari soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 1 clove garlic
    • ¼ - ½ inch slice fresh ginger
    • 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
    • 1 teaspoon lime juice

    Salad Ingredients

    • 1 12-ounce package rice noodles
    • 3 cups Napa or Savoy cabbage very finely sliced
    • 1 cup purple cabbage very finely sliced
    • 4 large carrots julienne cut or shredded
    • 2 red bell peppers very thinly sliced
    • 1 yellow bell pepper very thinly sliced
    • 1 orange bell pepper very thinly sliced
    • 1 long English cucumber seeded
    • 8 green onions chopped
    • 4 radishes thinly sliced
    • ½ bunch fresh cilantro chopped
    • ½ cup peanuts or cashews, chopped
    • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional

    Instructions

    • Prepare the Spicy Peanut Sauce first. This can be made up to a few days in advance. Blend all peanut sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Set aside if using right away, or refrigerate (or freeze) if making it in advance.
      A spoonful of homemade peanut sauce. How to Make Peanut Sauce
    • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rice noodles to water and let stand for 8 - 10 minutes (or follow package directions, depending on the type of noodles you're using), stirring after 2 minutes to break up noodles. Remove from heat, drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Set aside.
      Rice noodles in a glass bowl
    • Prepare all vegetables and transfer to a large bowl with the cooled, rinsed and drained noodles. 
      Ingredients for Thai Noodle Salad in a bowl
    • Just before serving, toss with the peanut sauce and garnish with cilantro, peanuts, and optional sesame seeds.
      Tossing Thai Salad with peanut sauce
    • Make it a complete meal by serving with Easy Thai Chicken Skewers or Easy Thai Baked Chicken

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 425mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 5230IU | Vitamin C: 69.7mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    Serve this Thai Noodle Salad as is, or with Easy Thai Chicken Skewers or Easy Thai Baked Chicken!

    Easy Thai Chicken Skewers ready to serve

    And if you love Thai-inspired salads, you might also like this Thai Shrimp Salad with Grapefruit and Mint.

    Kitchen tools I used to make this Super Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad


    Do you have a herb keeper like this one? I am continually amazed at how long it keeps herbs fresh! I used to buy a bunch of cilantro for a recipe, use half of it and find the other half turned to slime in the refrigerator a few days later. This herb keeper has paid for itself several times over. (affiliate link)

    SAVE THIS TO ONE OF YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS and connect with me on Pinterest! I’m always finding new tasty recipes to pin. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a recipe!
    Pinterest pin for Thai Salad with Peanut Sauce
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elise

      September 13, 2020 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      Love this recipe and I've made it 3 times now! Everyone seems to like it. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        September 13, 2020 at 2:17 pm

        Thanks so much for letting me know! It's always popular when I make it too!

        Reply
    2. Dee

      March 01, 2020 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe makes a big quantity. I used the recipe slider in the recipe and cut it in half. I'll be making this often!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        March 01, 2020 at 3:24 pm

        Great idea! If you make the full quantity of peanut sauce, you can freeze it. I portion it into 1/2 cup Mason jars and freeze it so we can have it with satay or Thai chicken skewers. Thanks for commenting!

        Reply
    3. Dana

      April 15, 2019 at 7:29 am

      5 stars
      This is so perfect and delicious and crunchy! I'm in love with cold salads like this, especially when they're this substantial. The summer here in NC can get pretty damn toasty (that's an understatement). Sometimes it's too hot to eat! So things like this are perfect.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 16, 2019 at 2:58 pm

        A healthy salad for a soon-to-be Mama! Thanks Dana!

        Reply
    4. Donna

      April 14, 2019 at 4:41 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is STUNNING! Absolutely adore the colours used here. It sounds absolutely delicious, my friend.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 14, 2019 at 4:47 pm

        Thanks so much for your kind words, Donna! Hope you get a chance to make it soon.

        Reply
    5. Colleen

      April 11, 2019 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      For me, peanut sauce on everything makes it perfect, but this salad celebration of freshness and colour needs to go on my menu this week for sure.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 14, 2019 at 7:53 am

        Thanks Colleen! I'm sure you'll love this salad!

        Reply
    6. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

      April 11, 2019 at 6:30 am

      5 stars
      This is a gorgeous salad Elaine! I love the colours, peanut sauce and the crunchy texture! I've pinned it and I can't wait to make it!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 14, 2019 at 7:53 am

        I know you'll love this one, Leanne. Thanks for commenting!

        Reply
    7. [email protected]

      April 10, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      I think it has been stated already in your comments, but I have to say that the first thing I thought when I saw your salad was "this is a work of art!" My goodness, it is gorgeous, Elaine. 🙂 Not to mention that everything about your Crunchy Thai Noodle salad is appealing to me with all of those fresh colourful ingredients. I cannot wait to try it! Many thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 14, 2019 at 7:55 am

        Thanks for your kind words, Denise! I crave colour in my meals and using lots of different veggies is an easy way to get it. Hope you love it too!

        Reply
    8. Jo Vanderwolf

      April 10, 2019 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      You had me at peanut sauce..... but that color! Oh my! Definitely need to frame it and hang it on my wall. 🙂 So lovely.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 10, 2019 at 4:45 pm

        Awww--thanks for your kind words, Jo!

        Reply
    9. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      April 09, 2019 at 9:02 am

      5 stars
      Love everything about this salad! It's so colourful and has tons of texture and flavours. It wouldn't last long in our home, that's for sure 🙂 Pinned!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 09, 2019 at 10:41 am

        Thanks Dawn! This is a salad I've been making for years. Always a favourite.

        Reply
    10. Tom M

      March 18, 2018 at 6:53 pm

      4 stars
      Should the salad be reheated before serving leftovers? It looks clumpy cold.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        March 18, 2018 at 8:39 pm

        Hi Tom,
        Thanks for your question. I hope I can clear things up for you. I serve this as a cold salad as a side dish for the chicken skewers. The rice noodles are cooked, of course, but they're rinsed in cold water and set aside to cool before adding to the salad. If they're looking "clumpy" as you said, the only thing I can think of is that the starch from the noodles needed to be rinsed more thoroughly. I don't know what it would be like reheated, as I've never tried it that way. I sure hope this helps a bit!

        Reply
    11. Samantha @mykitchenlove

      March 11, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      This recipe comes off as totally bright and flavourful! Even the chicken looks juicy! Love the addition of the peanut sauce.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        March 11, 2016 at 5:43 pm

        Thanks Samantha! It's a favourite meal around here.

        Reply
    12. Mel @ The Refreshanista

      March 11, 2016 at 11:53 am

      Wow, this salad looks so vibrant! And I love anything that has a peanut sauce on top so this looks super delicious 🙂

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        March 11, 2016 at 11:59 am

        Thanks Mel,
        I'm a peanut sauce fan too!

        Reply
    13. Karen Ahmed

      March 11, 2016 at 11:50 am

      I love Thai and this is so colorful

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        March 11, 2016 at 12:00 pm

        Hi Karen,
        Honestly, I think I could eat Thai food every day!

        Reply

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    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

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