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Easy Creamy Cold Sesame Noodles with Cucumber

creamy cold sesame noodles - featured image
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A quick and refreshing cold noodle dish featuring creamy peanut butter sesame sauce and crunchy cucumber, perfect for summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) spaghetti or thin wheat noodles
  • 1 medium cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (natural, no sugar added)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or a dash of sriracha
  • 2–3 tablespoons warm water
  • Chopped scallions or green onions (optional garnish)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
  • Fresh cilantro leaves (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking. Reserve 1/4 cup (60 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. Drain noodles in a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool them down.
  3. Slice one medium cucumber into thin julienne strips or rounds.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes. Slowly add 2-3 tablespoons warm water until smooth and creamy.
  5. Toss the cooled noodles with the creamy sesame sauce until well coated. Add the sliced cucumber and gently mix to distribute evenly.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more soy sauce, vinegar, or chili flakes if desired. Add reserved pasta water or warm water to loosen sauce if too thick.
  7. Garnish with chopped scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Rinse noodles under cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Sauce should be creamy but pourable; add water to thin or peanut butter to thicken. Chilling noodles helps flavors meld and improves texture. Toast sesame seeds for extra aroma. For gluten-free, use rice noodles and tamari. For vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold sesame noodles, peanut butter sauce, summer recipe, easy noodles, cucumber noodles, quick dinner, vegan option, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-creamy-cold-sesame-noodles-with-cucumber-recipe-for-perfect-summer-meals/