Soba Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Buckwheat soba noodles are tossed in a peanut sauce built from peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and a little ginger, then finished with crisp raw vegetables and fresh herbs. The dish can be served warm or at room temperature, making it flexible for packed lunches or quick dinners. Assembly takes about 20 minutes once the noodles are cooked.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Tongs
Ingredients
For the Soba Noodles and Vegetables:
- 8 oz soba noodles 100% buckwheat preferred for gluten-free option
- 1 cup red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 cup cucumber julienned or ribboned with a peeler
- 1 cup carrot shredded or ribboned
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds for garnish
For the Creamy Peanut Sauce:
- ⅓ cup natural peanut butter unsweetened, smooth
- 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 2–3 tablespoons warm water to thin the sauce as needed
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add soba noodles and cook according to package instructions (usually about 6–8 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once just tender, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
- While noodles cook, prepare the peanut sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together peanut butter, tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Slowly add 2–3 tablespoons of warm water, whisking until the dressing is smooth and pourable.
- Prepare your vegetables: Julienne or shave the cucumber and carrots; thinly slice the red bell pepper. Set aside with the chopped cilantro.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked soba noodles with the peanut sauce until well coated. Add bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, and cilantro. Gently toss again to disperse evenly, being careful not to mash the noodles.
- Transfer into individual bowls, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra heat, stir a dash of chili garlic sauce or sriracha into the peanut sauce.
- Try garnishing with chopped roasted peanuts for crunch, or add baked tofu to make it a heartier meal.
- Rinsing soba in cold water is essential—it stops them from overcooking and becoming gummy.
Nutrition
Calories: 398kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 982mgPotassium: 545mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 6604IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 3mg
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