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A plate of Cold Peanut Sesame Noodles with sliced vegetables and herbs, garnished with cucumber and mint, with chopsticks resting on the plate.
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Cold Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce

These easy Cold Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce are tossed with crisp carrots, snap peas, scallions, and roasted peanuts for a quick, flavorful summer dinner served chilled or at room temperature.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 327kcal
Author: Stephanie Wilson

Ingredients

For the Peanut Sauce

  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons dark sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 scallions minced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons chili garlic paste

For the Noodles

  • 8 ounces fresh linguine or 1 lb Chinese egg noodles
  • 1 cup shoestring carrots or grated carrots
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup roasted peanuts for serving

Instructions

  • Cook the noodles according to the package directions until al dente. During the final minute of cooking, add the carrots and sugar snap peas to the pasta water.
  • Reserve ⅔ cup of the pasta water, then drain the noodles and vegetables together and rinse under cold running water until completely cooled. Drain well.

For the Sauce

  • While the pasta cooks, combine the peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, scallions (reserving a small amount for serving), garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and chili paste. Whisk in enough reserved pasta water to make a loose, smooth peanut dressing.

Assembling the Noodles

  • Pour the peanut sauce over the cooled noodles and vegetables and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved scallions and chopped roasted peanuts. Add thinly sliced or julienned cucumber, if desired.
  • Serve immediately at room temperature or refrigerate until chilled to allow the flavors to blend.

Notes

  1. Add Protein: For a more substantial meal, add cooked shredded chicken, shrimp, pork, or crispy tofu.
  2. Garnishing Ideas: Reserve some of the sliced scallions and chopped peanuts for garnishing just before serving. Thinly sliced or julienned cucumber adds a cool, crisp contrast. Add it shortly before serving for the freshest texture.
  3. Noodles: Fresh Chinese egg noodles, lo mein noodles, or fresh linguine work especially well. Dried linguine or spaghetti can also be used.
  4. Sauce Consistency: The peanut sauce will thicken after refrigeration. Let the noodles rest briefly at room temperature and toss well before serving. Add a small splash of warm water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 634mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5702IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg