Chilled Sesame-Ginger Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables
Cold wheat noodles tossed in a zesty sesame-ginger dressing with crisp julienned carrots, cucumber, and scallions for a refreshing Asian-inspired salad. This asian fusion-inspired vegetarian ready in about 25 minutes pairs wheat noodles, medium, julienned carrots, medium, julienned cucumber for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz wheat noodles
- 2 medium, julienned carrots
- 1 medium, julienned cucumber
- 3, thinly sliced scallions
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces wheat noodles and cook for 6-8 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Step 3: Add the cooled noodles to the bowl along with 2 julienned carrots, 1 julienned cucumber, and 3 thinly sliced scallions. Toss gently to coat all ingredients in the dressing.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds on top and chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Sesame-Ginger Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chilled Sesame-Ginger Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep wheat noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Sesame-Ginger Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chilled Sesame-Ginger Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chilled Sesame-Ginger Noodle Salad with Julienned Vegetables?
Asian Fusion vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
