Sesame-Glazed Carrot and Zucchini Noodles
A quick vegetable dish with tender spiralized carrots and zucchini coated in a savory-sweet sesame glaze, ready in 15 minutes. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs medium Zucchini, medium Carrots, Sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 medium Zucchini
- 2 medium Carrots
- 2 tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 2 medium spiralized zucchini noodles and 2 medium spiralized carrot noodles, cooking for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Whisk 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl, pour over vegetables, and cook for 2 more minutes until evenly coated, then sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sesame-Glazed Carrot and Zucchini Noodles 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 Sesame-Glazed Carrot and Zucchini Noodles?
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 medium zucchini from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sesame-Glazed Carrot and Zucchini Noodles?
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 Sesame-Glazed Carrot and Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
Is Sesame-Glazed Carrot and Zucchini Noodles vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Perfect vegetarian recipe for a weeknight dinner.