Chilled Ramen Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing

Transform the notable noodle into a fast and healthy recipe for Chilled Ramen Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing.

Ramen noodles and I go way back, back to my elementary school days when my mom, Noni, would serve up a steaming bowl of the comforting favorite alongside Saltine crackers and a cold 7-Up.

It was our home-from-school sick meal of choice, and no matter how under-the-weather I or my siblings felt, there was always that bowl of ramen noodles to the rescue.

I’ve taken the 99-cent packaged classic, ditched the seasoning packet, and transformed it into a fresh, veggie-packed salad that marries a rainbow of colors and textures with a sweet-meets-savory peanut dressing that’s whisked together in minutes.

I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite veggies and legumes, including crunchy red cabbage, shredded carrots and tender edamame, but you could easily swap in whatever leftover odds and ends you find in your fridge.

A scattering of slivered almonds add salty crunch, intensifying the nutty flavor of the dressing and making this Chilled Ramen Noodle Salad a make-ahead meatless dinner or side salad winner any day of the week.

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Top down view of Chilled Ramen Noodles with Peanut Dressing

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Chilled Ramen Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing

For the salad:

2
(3-oz.) packages ramen noodles, seasoning packets discarded
1
cup
shelled edamame
2
cups
finely shredded purple cabbage
1
cup
shredded carrots
1/2
cup
slivered almonds
1/4
cup
sliced scallions

For the dressing:

1/3
cup
creamy peanut butter
1/4
cup
low-sodium soy sauce
2
Tablespoons
fresh lime juice
1
Tablespoon
sesame oil
1/4
cup
honey
1
Tablespoon
minced garlic
1/4
teaspoon
crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2
teaspoons
sesame seeds, for garnishing

Make the salad:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the boiling water and set it aside, then drain the noodles and add them to a large bowl.

Add the edamame, cabbage, carrots, almonds and scallions to the bowl and toss to combine.

Make the dressing:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, honey, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes (optional) and hot water until smooth.

Add the dressing to the bowl with the noodles and veggies and toss to combine.

Garnish with sesame seeds and serve or let cool completely before covering with plastic wrap and storing in the fridge.

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