Ingredients
8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
½ cup creamy peanut butter, natural unsweetened
¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1–2 teaspoons Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2–3 tablespoons cold water (for sauce consistency)
½ cup cucumber, julienned or diced
½ cup carrots, julienned or shredded
2–3 green onions, sliced
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
1 tablespoon chopped peanuts (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. 1. Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Immediately drain in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Set aside.
2. 2. Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, Sriracha, and sesame oil. Whisk vigorously until smooth.
3. 3. Adjust Sauce Consistency: Add 2-3 tablespoons of cold water to the sauce and whisk again until pourable and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
4. 4. Combine Noodles & Sauce: Transfer cooled noodles to a large mixing bowl. Pour sauce over noodles and toss thoroughly with tongs or hands until every strand is coated.
5. 5. Add Fresh Vegetables: Add julienned cucumber, shredded carrots, and sliced green onions to the bowl. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
6. 6. Chill (Optional but Recommended): Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
7. 7. Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, garnish with chopped cilantro, extra green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped peanuts. Serve chilled.
Notes
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Sauce may thicken; add a splash of water or lime juice before serving. For meal prep, store sauce separately for optimal freshness. Spice level is adjustable – reduce or omit Sriracha for milder version, or add extra for more heat. Nut-free substitute: use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. Protein boost: add cooked shredded chicken, pan-fried tofu, sautéed shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT10M
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: No-Cook Sauce, Boiled Noodles, Tossed
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan (if using maple syrup), Gluten-Free (with GF noodles and tamari), Nut-Free (with sunflower seed butter)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
