Sesame Peanut Noodles With Crunchy Vegetables and Garlic-Scallion Chili Oil

August 30, 2024

Ingredients

For the Sauce
  • 1½ tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon well-stirred tahini
  • ¼ cup plus ½ tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons natural smooth unsalted peanut butter
For the Noodles
  • 8–10 ounces drysobanoodles(orspaghettiorlinguine)
  • 1 medium to large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin 2-inch sticks
  • 2–3 cups finely shredded red cabbage or napa cabbage
  • 2 packed cups baby spinach, roughly chopped or shredded into thin ribbons
  • ½ cup shelled frozen edamame, thawed (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons Garlic-Scallion Chili Oil (page 177), plus more as needed
  • ⅓ cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts, very finely chopped or processed in a small food processor
Garlic Chili Scallion Oil
  • ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 scallions (white and light green parts only), finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  • 1–1½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
  • ` large garlic clove, grated

About this recipe

We collect sesame noodle recipes, like musicians do guitars. So when we saw this one in the new book The Vegetable Eater by Cara Mangini, we knew it was a keeper.

Crunchy, saucy, spicy—cold sesame noodles are a must for every vegetable-forward rotation. This recipe spotlights cucumbers, raw shredded cabbage, and spinach. The garlic, sesame, and scallion oil brings the whole dish to life with a kick of heat (it wakes up tired leftovers, too). You can use a store-bought chili oil, no problem, just add some sliced scallions to the noodles.

Instructions

Sesame Peanut Noodles

1. Make the sauce. Whisk together the sugar, tahini, vinegar, sesame oil, tamari, and peanut butter in a large bowl until evenly combined. Pour half the sauce in a 1-cup liquid measure or a small bowl; set both aside.

2. Cook the noodles according to package directions until al dente Drain and rinse under cold water, turning, until they are cold. Drain the noodles again. Immediately transfer to the large bowl with the sauce and toss to coat evenly.

3. Add the cucumbers, cabbage, spinach, and edamame (if using) to the top of the noodles, drizzle with about half of the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with the sesame seeds (if using). Lightly toss the vegetables in sauce without fully incorporating them into the noodles at first. Now, combine the vegetables and noodles, tossing, then add more of the remaining sauce to taste. Drizzle in 1–2 tablespoons of the Garlic-Scallion Chili Oil and toss until evenly incorporated.

4. Serve, topping with more chili oil to taste and a generous sprinkle of peanuts.

Garlic Scallion Chili Oil

Combine the oil, scallions, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes and bring to a very low simmer over low heat. Very gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the scallions are golden and just barely sizzling and the oil has a pale reddish tint, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute.

Carefully transfer to a heat-safe bowl. If making ahead, cool to room temperature and refrigerate in an airtight container. The oil will keep for 7 days.

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Sesame Noodles

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Ingredients

For the Sauce
  • 1½ tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon well-stirred tahini
  • ¼ cup plus ½ tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons natural smooth unsalted peanut butter
For the Noodles
  • 8–10 ounces drysobanoodles(orspaghettiorlinguine)
  • 1 medium to large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin 2-inch sticks
  • 2–3 cups finely shredded red cabbage or napa cabbage
  • 2 packed cups baby spinach, roughly chopped or shredded into thin ribbons
  • ½ cup shelled frozen edamame, thawed (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons Garlic-Scallion Chili Oil (page 177), plus more as needed
  • ⅓ cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts, very finely chopped or processed in a small food processor
Garlic Chili Scallion Oil
  • ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 scallions (white and light green parts only), finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  • 1–1½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
  • ` large garlic clove, grated
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