Toasted Sesame and Peanut Rice Noodles
Rice noodles tossed with a toasted peanut and sesame dressing, brightened with lime and fresh herbs for a fresh Burmese-inspired noodle salad. This asian-inspired noodles (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs rice noodles, chopped roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 rice noodles
- 1/2 cup, chopped roasted peanuts
- 2 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, thinly sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz rice noodles according to package instructions until just tender, about 4-5 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and 2 minced garlic cloves until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3: Add the drained noodles to the bowl along with 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts, 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 3 thinly sliced green onions, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes.
- Step 4: Toss everything well to coat the noodles evenly with the dressing and distribute the herbs and nuts.
- Step 5: Let the salad sit for 10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld before serving as a light main or side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Toasted Sesame and Peanut Rice Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 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 Toasted Sesame and Peanut Rice 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 rice noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Toasted Sesame and Peanut Rice 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 Toasted Sesame and Peanut Rice Noodles 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.
Is Toasted Sesame and Peanut Rice 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.
