Vegan Spicy Peanut Soba Salad (Print Version)

Nutty soba noodles tossed with a spicy peanut dressing and crisp, colorful slaw for a light meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Soba Noodles

01 - 7 oz soba noodles

→ Crunchy Slaw

02 - 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
03 - 1 cup green cabbage, thinly sliced
04 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
05 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 3 scallions, sliced
07 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Spicy Peanut Dressing

08 - 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
09 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha, adjusted to taste
14 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
16 - 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water as needed for consistency

→ Garnishes

17 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
18 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
19 - Lime wedges

# Recipe Steps:

01 - Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add soba noodles and cook according to package instructions, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Drain through a colander and rinse under cold running water until completely cooled. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced red cabbage, green cabbage, julienned carrot, sliced red bell pepper, scallions, and chopped cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, sriracha, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add warm water gradually, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
04 - Add the cooled soba noodles to the bowl containing the slaw mixture. Pour the spicy peanut dressing over the combined ingredients and toss thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with dressing.
05 - Divide the salad evenly among serving bowls. Top each portion with chopped roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, and lime wedges. Serve immediately for warm noodles or refrigerate for 30 minutes for a chilled presentation.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore and more like a small victory.
  • The textures and flavors keep surprising your palate with every bite, from nutty noodles to crisp slaw to that addictive spicy-creamy dressing.
02 -
  • Never skip the cold water rinse on your noodles—I learned this the hard way when a batch turned into a gummy mess and ruined an otherwise perfect lunch.
  • The dressing thickens as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, thin it with an extra tablespoon of water just before serving.
03 -
  • Make the dressing first while your water boils for the noodles, so everything is ready to assemble the moment those noodles have cooled.
  • If you're cooking for guests with nut allergies, swap tahini for the peanut butter—the dressing shifts in flavor but remains silky and satisfying.
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