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Glass Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing

Vibrant Asian-inspired salad with translucent glass noodles, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and creamy peanut sauce - light, refreshing, and packed with flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Thai, Vietnamese
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz glass noodles rice vermicelli or bean thread noodles
  • 2 cups purple cabbage thinly shredded
  • 1 cup carrots julienned
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 cucumber julienned
  • 4 green onions sliced diagonally
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
  • 0.5 cup fresh mint leaves torn
  • 0.5 cup roasted peanuts crushed
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds toasted, optional
For the Peanut Dressing
  • 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp lime juice fresh
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
  • 2-4 tbsp warm water to thin dressing
  • 1 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce optional

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium bowl for dressing
  • Whisk
  • Kitchen scissors
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Prepare glass noodles according to package directions, typically soaking in hot water for 5-7 minutes until tender. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water, and cut into shorter lengths with kitchen scissors.
  2. While noodles soak, prepare all vegetables by julienning carrots and cucumber into thin matchsticks, shredding cabbage finely, and slicing bell pepper into thin strips. Slice green onions diagonally.
  3. Make the peanut dressing by whisking together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a medium bowl.
  4. Gradually add warm water to the dressing, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled glass noodles with all prepared vegetables. Roughly chop cilantro and tear mint leaves, adding them to the bowl.
  6. Pour three-quarters of the peanut dressing over the noodle mixture. Using tongs or hands, gently toss everything together until noodles are coated and vegetables are evenly distributed.
  7. Transfer salad to serving bowl or individual plates. Top generously with crushed roasted peanuts and toasted sesame seeds if using.
  8. Drizzle remaining dressing over the top and garnish with additional fresh herbs and lime wedges. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.

Notes

For meal prep, store components separately - noodles and vegetables in one container, dressing in another, and garnishes in a third. Toss together just before serving. The salad is best served at room temperature or slightly chilled. Add protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make it a complete meal.