Cold peanut noodles are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, an easy lunchbox idea for kids, or recipes for Meatless Monday. The creamy Thai-inspired peanut sauce over noodles can be served as a main dish or a side dish recipe with your favorite Asian-inspired recipes. You can make the sauce spicy or mild! This recipe is the perfect make-ahead noodle salad for summer recipes or anytime you’re craving homemade Chinese recipes like takeout!
Cold Peanut Noodle Salad Recipe
These peanut sauce noodles are one of my favorite recipes that I could eat all the time!
My favorite part of this Asian noodle salad is that you can eat it warm, but these noodles are just as good cold.
I’ve listed the toppings as optional, but don’t skip them! They really do bring this savory dish together.
Ingredients for Cold Peanut Noodles
To make Chinese noodles with peanut sauce, you’ll need:
- Spaghetti noodles
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Honey
- Chili paste
- Rice vinegar
- Ground ginger powder
- Water
- Peanuts (optional, as topping)
- Shredded carrots (optional, as topping)
- Green onions (optional, as topping)
- Sesame seeds (optional, as topping)
Get the free printable recipe card for peanut noodles below.
Recipe FAQs and Recipe Tips
- You can use any Asian chili paste, but we really love this chili crunch. I serve the peanut noodles with extra chili crunch on the table so everyone can make their dish spicy as they want.
- I also make extra peanut sauce to keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. That way I can just cook noodles for a quick dinner for week night meal planning or an easy lunch (especially since it doesn’t need to be heated!).
- I didn’t add them to our recipes, but you can also add toasted sesame seeds as a topping.
- Don’t forget to serve with chopsticks! We keep reusable chopsticks like this at home.
- If you can’t find rice vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar. Be sure to check the Asian foods aisle in your grocery store for the soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, and rice vinegar.
- You can use any kind of noodles, but I think the regular spaghetti noodles are the best with this dish. Also, you can use the unseasoned noodles from a Ramen packet!
- These noodles are also good with chicken or tofu if you want to add some protein.
How to Make Cold Noodles with Peanut Sauce
- Great with the peanut noodles recipe: homemade fortune cookies
Cold Peanut Noodles
Ingredients
- 12 ounce spaghetti noodles
- 1/4 cup peanut butter smooth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon chili paste
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger dry ground
- 3 Tablespoons water*
- green onions chopped (optional, for topping)
- shredded carrots (optional, for topping)
- whole peanuts unsalted (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti noodles al dente according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
- In a medium sauce pan over low heat, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, chili paste, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger and water. Whisk until smooth and just heated through. (Add more chili paste if you like spicy noodles.)
- Pour peanut sauce over noodles and toss until completely coated.
- OPTIONAL: Portion noodles into individual serving bowls and then top with shredded carrots, chopped green onions, and whole peanuts to serve.
- Place leftovers in airtight containers for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Note
Nutrition calculations are approximate. If you're following a special diet, please calculate your own nutrition values.
GREAT FOR KIDS WITH THIS RECIPE: Lunar New Year Activities For Kids And Our Best Chinese New Year Crafts
I hope you enjoy my favorite cold peanut noodles recipe!
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