Indulge in a vibrant and delicious Thai noodle salad featuring wholesome, fresh veggies and a mouthwatering peanut sauce that will take your taste buds on a journey to Southeast Asia. This easy-to-make recipe boasts an exquisite combination of Asian flavors and textures that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

This Thai rice noodle salad is super easy to make and only takes a few minutes to prepare. I like to use rice noodles for the base, but you can really use any type of noodle you like. The key to making this salad really tasty is in the dressing. I used a simple combination of soy sauce, peanut butter, and rice vinegar. You can also add in a little bit of chili sauce or hot sauce if you like things spicy.
This recipe pairs well with this spring roll or this Crispy Spicy Tofu.
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Ingredients
- rice noodles you can also use brown rice noodles
- carrots
- red cabbage
- yellow bell pepper or red bell pepper
- shallots or a small red onion
- vegetable oil
- rice wine vinegar or lime juice
- honey
- peanut butter
- sauce soy
- fresh cilantro
- Unsalted peanuts
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
See recipe card for quantities.
Notes on the main ingredients
The rice noodles can be found in the Asian section of most supermarkets.
For the carrots, I like to use a box grater to get them nice and fine, but you can also use a food processor or even just chop them by hand.
Purple cabbage can be found in most supermarkets, but if you can't find it, you can also use green cabbage or even a coleslaw mix.
The bell pepper can be any color you like, I usually use yellow because it's what I have on hand, but red or green would work just as well.
The shallots can be found in most supermarkets, but if you can't find them, you can also use onion or even green onions.
The rice wine vinegar can be found in most supermarkets, but if you can't find it, you can also use white vinegar or even apple cider vinegar.
The honey can be found in most supermarkets, but if you don't have any on hand, you can also use sugar or even agave syrup.
The soy sauce can be found in most supermarkets, but if you can't find it, you can also use tamari or even fish sauce.
For the cilantro, I like to use a food processor to get it nice and fine, but you can also chop it by hand.
The optional garnishes are not necessary, but they do add a nice touch.
Step-by-step with photos
Step 1: Wash and prepare your vegetables.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients of the dressing.
Step 3: Place the cooked noodles and vegetables in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and combine well.
Hint: You can serve it immediately, but it is better to place it in the fridge for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
Notes on the recipes
- It’s best to use store-bought processed peanut butter over natural peanut butter. The natural variety tends to separate, so you won’t get the desired consistency.
- You can use a pre-shredded vegetable mix to save prep time.
- You can top the cold noodle salad with sambal oelek or sriracha for a bit of spice. If that’s too spicy, but you still want a kick, add in some grated garlic.
- You can sprinkle the salad with some crunchy peanuts for an extra nutty flavor and a pretty presentation.
- Make extra creamy peanut sauce in case anyone wants some more when eating.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor. This will allow the ingredients time to seep into the noodles better and add much flavor.
- Rinse the noodles after boiling them with cold water to prevent them from sticking
- You can serve this salad cold or at room temperature
Storage
Place the Asian noodle salad in an airtight container and leave it in the fridge for 3-4 days max. Do not freeze, as the texture will change, and the salad will get soggy.
Substitutions
Rice noodles are used in this recipe, but soba and ramen noodles are also good choices. Some recipes use spaghetti, but it’s best to stick with Asian noodles over Italian pasta to make the recipe more like the original version.
If you can’t find rice vinegar, you can use white vinegar instead. You can substitute it using a 1:1 ratio.
What are the other substitutions I can make?
Honey: brown sugar or agave syrup
Soy sauce: tamari soy or hoisin
FAQS
Add in some protein to make it a hearty meal, or enjoy it as a side dish. It pairs well with Asian-style grilled chicken or spicy tofu.
It’s best not to use a different nut butter, as they tend to separate easily. This could lead to an oily noodle salad. If you have a peanut allergy, it’s best to use Tahini instead or add 2 teaspoons of roasted sesame oil.
Any protein would work well in this salad. Add in some fried tofu, rotisserie chicken, or edamame. You can add in other veggies like broccoli or cucumber. You can also add sunflower seeds and crunchy noodles on top.
Thai Noodle Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rice noodles
- 2 carrots grated
- ¾ cup purple cabbage shredded or thinly sliced,if you are in a hurry, use coleslaw mix
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced
- 2 shallots diced
Peanut Butter dressing
- ¼ cup vegetable or olive oil
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup peanut butter creamy
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
Garnish
- ½ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
- crushed peanuts
- green onion
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a large pot of water, begin by cooking the rice noodles according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- While the noodles are cooking, take this time to wash and prepare your vegetables. Grate the carrots and shred the purple cabbage diced the bell pepper and the shallot.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, rice wine vinegar, honey, peanut butter, and soy sauce. This will create a delightful and smooth peanut sauce.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice noodles with the grated carrots and shredded purple cabbage. Pour the peanut sauce on top and toss until everything is evenly coated. Top cilantro and other garnish of your choice.
Emily Flint
This Asian noodle salad was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The peanut sauce is my new favorite and I am going to put it on everything!
Sophie
Hi Emily!
I'm thrilled to hear that this Asian noodle salad turned out exactly as you were hoping! It's wonderful when a dish meets and exceeds our expectations
Veronika
This noodle salad will definitely become a staple at our house in the summer! I love pasta salads and cold noodle salads so this is right up my alley!
Sophie
Hi Veronika!
That's fantastic to hear! I'm thrilled that this noodle salad will become a staple at your house during the summer.
Jamie
Wow! This salad dish looks incredibly delicious and super healthy! I totally love the color this salad brings it makes it so enticing and tempting! Plus that peanut sauce looks interesting! Got to try this asap!
Sophie
Hey Jamie!
Thank you for your comment, and I hope this salad becomes a tasty addition to your repertoire of go-to recipes. Enjoy!
Natalia
My hubby and I loved this salad, especially the peanut butter dressing! So tasty and so delicious! I love all the flavors this salad brings out. Definitely making it again!
Loreto and Nicoletta
We love everything about this Thai salad! ❤️ So colorful, and the flavors bright and fresh. A win win for us. Great tip on the peanut butter, definitely don't want it to separate! Thanks for sharing! 💯
Sophie
Hi Loreto!
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your positive experience.
Sophie
I'm glad you enjoyed the combination of flavors in this salad. It's wonderful that you're already planning to make it again.
Debbie
This Thai Noodle Salad was fantastic. The veggies and noodles was a fabulous combination and the peanut butter dressing was bowl lickin good. I can't wait to make it again .
Sophie
Hi Debbie!
I'm thrilled to hear that you found this Thai Noodle Salad fantastic! The combination of veggies and noodles truly makes for a fabulous and satisfying mea
Jenny
I love how easy and healthy this recipe is. I love salads and one every day for lunch. Your delicious noodle Thai salad is a perfect addition to my routine. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Sophie
Hey Jenny!
You're very welcome! I'm thrilled to hear that you love how easy and healthy this recipe is. Salads are a fantastic choice for a nourishing and refreshing lunch, and incorporating this delicious noodle
Tammy
What a satisfying bowl! Love the colors and flavors...so easy to make too! Sounds delish 😀
Sophie
Hey Tammi!
Thank you for your comment, and I hope this bowl brings you all the satisfaction and delight you're expecting. Enjoy every bite!
Dennis
I wanted something different on our Easter Dinner table this year and made your salad. To say it was a hit would be an understatement. Everyone loved it.
Sophie
Hey Dennis!
I'm delighted to hear that the salad was such a hit at your Easter Dinner! It's always exciting to try something different and receive such positive feedback from everyone. It's wonderful that everyone loved it and enjoyed the flavors and textures. Thank you for sharing your experience, and I'm thrilled that the salad made a memorable addition to your Easter Dinner table.
Amy Liu Dong
I just love Thai dishes, they have the best taste and flavor that I've tried so far! This salad looks amazingly delicious! Loved it! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Sophie
Hi Amy!
I completely agree with you! Thai dishes are renowned for their amazing taste and flavors. It's fantastic to hear that you love Thai cuisine and find this salad amazingly delicious.
Ann
This is always a great salad to make for a crowd! I just made it for a summer cookout, and it was a crowd pleaser!
Sophie Viau
Hey Ann,
That's fantastic to hear! I'm thrilled that the salad was a crowd pleaser at your summer cookout.