Zesty Garden-Fresh Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe

Crafting a delightful ramen noodle salad brings unexpected joy to your meal prep adventures.

Crisp vegetables and springy noodles create a delectable harmony of textures and flavors.

Cool sesame notes dance through each colorful bite, promising refreshment on warm afternoons.

Pantry staples transform into something magical with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Crunchy elements provide surprising contrast against soft noodle strands.

Quick assembly means you can enjoy this vibrant dish without complex cooking techniques.

Let’s make something delicious that will spark conversation and delight your taste buds.

FAQs

• Is this a healthy salad?

Yes, it’s packed with vegetables like cabbage and carrots, provides protein from nuts and seeds, and uses a light dressing that’s lower in calories compared to traditional mayonnaise-based salads.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! This salad actually tastes better when prepared in advance, as the flavors develop and the noodles soften. You can make it up to a day before serving and store it in the refrigerator.

• Are there any gluten-free alternatives for this recipe?

To make it gluten-free, replace the ramen noodles with gluten-free noodles or rice noodles, and use tamari instead of regular soy sauce. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Ramen Noodle Salad That’s Crunchy and Flavorful

• Unlock Quick Flavors: This ramen noodle salad delivers a burst of taste with minimal prep work, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize Your Crunch: The recipe offers amazing flexibility with nuts and seeds, allowing you to swap ingredients based on personal preference or what's available in your pantry.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Star: Ideal for gatherings, picnics, and summer barbecues, this salad travels well and tastes incredible at any temperature, impressing friends and family with its vibrant mix of textures and Asian-inspired flavors.

Ingredients for Ramen Noodle Salad

• Cabbage: A crisp and crunchy base that adds texture to the salad.
• Carrots: Provides a sweet and vibrant element to the dish.
• Green Onions: Offers a mild, fresh onion flavor and bright color.

• Ramen Noodles: The core ingredient that gives a unique crunch to the salad.
• Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds: Add a nutty and toasted dimension with extra crunch.

• Vegetable Oil, Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil: Create a balanced and flavorful Asian-inspired dressing.
• Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance the tangy and savory elements.
• Ginger: Brings a zesty and warming spice to the dressing.

How to Make Ramen Noodle Salad Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prep Crisp Veggie Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and toss in the shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, and thinly sliced green onions.

This colorful foundation will create a vibrant and crunchy canvas for your salad.

Step 2: Add Nutty Crunch Elements

• Crushed ramen noodles
• Toasted almonds
• Sunflower seeds
• Sesame seeds

Gently mix these ingredients to ensure an even distribution of crunch and flavor.

Step 3: Craft Zesty Dressing

• Vegetable oil
• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sugar
• Sesame oil
• Grated ginger

Blend until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Step 4: Combine and Marinate

Pour the dressing over the veggie and noodle mixture.

Toss thoroughly to ensure every bite is coated with the delicious seasoning.

Let the salad rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and the noodles to soften slightly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Present the salad chilled or at room temperature.

This versatile dish works perfectly as a side or light meal that’s sure to impress.

Pro Tips for Perfect Ramen Noodle Salad Every Time

• Break ramen noodles into small, even pieces for the perfect crunch and texture throughout the salad.
• Let the salad rest for at least 30 minutes to allow dressing to penetrate vegetables and soften noodles slightly.
• Use gluten-free soy sauce and ramen for a celiac-friendly version or replace nuts with seeds for allergy considerations.
• Lightly toast almonds in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the salad.
• Make dressing and chop vegetables in advance, storing separately to maintain crispness until just before serving.

Flavorful Variations for Ramen Noodle Salad

• Gluten-Free Ramen Salad: Replace ramen noodles with rice noodles or quinoa, use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version that maintains the original flavor profile.
• Vegan Protein Power: Swap crushed ramen with crispy tofu cubes, use maple syrup instead of sugar, and add edamame for extra plant-based protein and nutrition.
• Low-Carb Asian Slaw: Substitute ramen noodles with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice, keep the original dressing, and add grilled chicken for a lighter, low-carbohydrate meal option.

Serving Suggestions for Ramen Noodle Salad

• Fresh Summer Picnic Plate: Serve this crunchy ramen salad alongside grilled chicken skewers or cold sandwiches for a delightful outdoor meal that brings vibrant textures and flavors.
• Protein Power Bowl: Top the salad with grilled shrimp, sliced tofu, or shredded rotisserie chicken to transform it into a complete and satisfying main course that's packed with nutrition.
• Asian-Inspired Appetizer: Present the salad in small decorative bowls as a refreshing starter before a main Asian-themed dinner, garnishing with extra green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for elegant presentation.
• Meal Prep Perfection: Store the salad in sealed containers for quick lunch options throughout the week, keeping the dressing and noodles separate to maintain maximum crispness and prevent soggy textures.

Storage Advice for Ramen Noodle Salad

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep crunchy toppings like almonds and seeds separate to maintain their crisp texture.
• Not recommended due to the salad's high water content from cabbage and dressing, which can make vegetables soggy when thawed.
• Before serving cold leftovers, gently stir the salad and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to revive flavors and soften dressing.
• If noodles have lost crunch, sprinkle fresh toasted almonds and seeds just before eating to restore the original texture and add a delightful crackle.

Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Delightful Japanese-inspired ramen noodle salad blends crisp vegetables with tangy dressing for a refreshing meal. Crunchy almonds and sesame seeds provide perfect texture, making this dish a quick and satisfying option for lunch or dinner.

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Ingredients

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Salad Ingredients:

• 1 package instant ramen noodles
• 4 cups (0.95 liters) shredded cabbage
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sliced green onions

Toasted Nuts and Seeds:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) sesame seeds

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) grated ginger

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and combine finely sliced cabbage, julienned carrots, and thinly cut green onions.
2. Crumble the ramen noodles into bite-sized fragments and add to the vegetable mixture.
3. Incorporate toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds into the salad base for enhanced texture and crunch.
4. Create a vibrant dressing by whisking vegetable oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and freshly grated ginger until smooth and thoroughly integrated.
5. Drizzle the aromatic dressing over the vegetable and noodle blend, gently tossing to ensure complete and uniform coating.
6. Allow the salad to rest for 30-45 minutes at room temperature, enabling the ingredients to harmonize and the noodles to absorb the dressing’s flavors.
7. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the ingredients.
8. Serve chilled or at ambient temperature as a refreshing side dish or light meal.

Notes

• Toast nuts carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning them during preparation.
• Adjust sweetness by reducing sugar or using honey for a healthier alternative that maintains balanced taste.
• Customize protein by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
• Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Tossing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 240 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg