Garlic Noodle Salad (Printable)

Cold noodles mixed with garlic oil, soy dressing, and fresh crunchy vegetables for a bright, easy meal.

# What You Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 8.8 oz dried wheat noodles (e.g., lo mein, spaghetti, or soba)

→ Garlic Oil

02 - 3 tbsp neutral oil (grapeseed or vegetable)
03 - 5 large garlic cloves, finely minced
04 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

→ Salad Vegetables

05 - 1 cup carrot, julienned
06 - 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup cucumber, deseeded and julienned
08 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
09 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
11 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
12 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
13 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
16 - Lime wedges (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Cook noodles as per package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Place in a large bowl.
02 - Heat neutral oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in toasted sesame oil. Let cool slightly.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili flakes if using, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl.
04 - Pour cooled garlic oil and dressing over the noodles. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
05 - Fold in carrots, red bell pepper, cucumber, spring onions, and cilantro gently to combine.
06 - Transfer to serving dish or bowls. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The garlic oil perfumes your entire kitchen while it cooks, and that fragrance alone makes it worth making
  • Cold noodles never tasted so satisfying—this salad keeps you full without weighing you down
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that hot garlic oil cooks delicate herbs like cilantro, so let that oil cool before tossing everything together
  • Rinsing the noodles under cold water isn't optional—it washes away excess starch that would otherwise make the salad gummy
03 -
  • Don't rush the garlic—medium-low heat keeps it from turning bitter and acrid
  • Taste the dressed noodles before adding the vegetables—you might want more soy sauce or vinegar depending on your preferences
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