Looking for a quick and flavorful vegetarian recipe? Try this Sesame Soba Noodle Salad recipe that takes under 15 minutes to make. This simple, yet delicious dish is perfect for meal prep or your next gathering! 

Sesame Soba Noodle Salad

As the warm weather approaches, I’m all about easy and refreshing recipes that don’t keep me stuck in the kitchen for hours. So today we’re making one of my favorite dishes: Sesame Soba Noodle Salad. It’s perfect for those sunny days when you want something light, satisfying, and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s vegan and can be ready in under 15 minutes! And here’s a bonus—this salad only gets better with time, making it a fantastic option for meal prepping.

What You Need To Make This Recipe

• Soba Noodles: I used Lotus Foods soba noodles and they were absolutely perfect in this recipe! However, if you’re gluten-free or want to switch it up, you could also use rice noodles.
• Veggies: The best thing about this recipe is you can switch up the veggies depending on what you have on-hand. I used cabbage and carrot, but some other great options include bell pepper, red onion, snap peas, edamame, scallion, and more!
• Homemade Sesame Dressing: Just a few pantry staples is all you need to make this refreshing but flavor-packed dressing!
  • Toasted Sesame Oil: You can also swap this for regular sesame oil.
  • Soy Sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos are great options for a gluten-free alternative! 
  • Rice Vinegar: If you don’t have this on hand, swap it for white vinegar. 
  • Maple Syrup: Honey will also do the trick. 
  • Red Pepper Flakes: This is completely optional! I like a little bit of heat, but if you’re not into spice, feel free to leave it out.

Ways To Switch It Up

While this Sesame Soba Noodle Salad is already incredible on its own, you can easily customize it by adding your favorite protein! 

For all my tofu lovers out there, grilling some tofu and tossing it into the salad will provide a boost of protein. Plus, the tofu will pair perfectly with this asian-inspired dish. 

If you’re looking to add a vibrant touch to your salad, try tossing in some edamame beans. These little green gems are packed with plant-based protein and will give your salad a satisfying crunch. Plus, they bring a burst of freshness and color that complements the soba noodles and veggies perfectly.

Calling all seafood fans! Cooked shrimp is an excellent choice to take this salad to the next level. With its tender texture, shrimp adds a mouthwatering twist to each bite. 

And, If you’re looking to add a hearty touch to this salad, grilled chicken is a no-fail option. It’s a protein-packed punch that transforms this salad into an even more balanced and satisfying meal, especially for those who prefer adding animal-protein to their meals.

Soba Noodles

Let’s talk about soba noodles. These thin and delicate Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour are the star of this dish. They have this wonderful nutty taste and a slightly chewy texture that pairs like a dream with the crispness of cabbage and shredded carrot. But here’s what I love most about soba noodles—they’re fantastic at soaking up flavors. That means they’ll soak up all the goodness from the sesame dressing in this recipe, making each bite explode with deliciousness.

Not only are soba noodles perfect for this salad, but they also offer endless possibilities for other dishes. You can toss them with stir-fried vegetables for a quick and satisfying meal, create a cold soba noodle salad (just like this recipe) for a picnic, or even use them as a base for a warm noodle soup. Trust me, once you discover soba noodles, you’ll find yourself reaching for them again and again! 

Ready to jump into the recipe? Let’s do it…

Sesame Soba Noodle Salad Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 packet soba noodles (I used Lotus Foods)
• 1 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 cup green cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 cup carrot, shredded
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• Sesame seeds 

Directions:

1. Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a small bowl, combine the toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked/cooled soba noodles, purple cabbage, green cabbage and carrot. Drizzle sesame dressing over top and toss to combine. 
4. Serve and top with sesame seeds for garnish. Enjoy!