Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce (Vegan)

GFGluten FreeNFNut FreeOFOil FreeVVegan
4.90 from 38 votes
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This quick and delicious Cold Soba Noodle Salad is satisfying, rich in veggies, and tossed in a simple peanut sauce. Vegan, Gluten-free, Oil-free option, Nut-free option.

This Soba Noodle Salad is made with chewy buckwheat noodles and crunchy vegetables all tossed together in a creamy, umami-rich peanut sauce. It’s packed with healthy plant-based ingredients, yet guaranteed to satisfy any eater.

Table of Contents
  1. All About this Soba Salad
  2. Ingredients for Soba Noodle Salad
  3. How to Make Soba Noodle Salad
  4. Serving Suggestions
  5. How to Store Soba Noodle Salad
  6. Substitutions and Variations
  7. Recipe FAQs
  8. Soba Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce Recipe
soba noodle salad served in a white bowl topped with crispy tofu

All About this Soba Salad

While I’m known to love a classic kale salad any day of the week, this spin on the traditional lettuce based dish still meets all the requirements of a delicious salad. Crunchy veggies? Check. Flavorful dressing? Check. Served cold? Check.

It’s also equally as quick and easy as your favorite salad – ready in 20 minutes or less with just 11 fresh ingredients.

Try this recipe for lighter weeknight dinners or a refreshing summer lunch. It also makes a great addition to the meal prep rotation as it will keep all week long.

Ingredients for Soba Noodle Salad

In addition to soba noodles you’ll need a mix of crunchy vegetables and 6 simple ingredients to make our homemade peanut dressing. Here are a few key salad components you won’t want to skip:

ingredients for soba noodle salad laid out on a marble kitchen countertop
  • Fresh veggies: Crunchy red cabbage, carrots, sliced cucumber, and fresh cilantro are my personal go-to ingredients, but don’t be afraid to switch things up. Zucchini, green onion, edamame, lima beans, snap peas or sautéed mushrooms.
  • Peanut butter: Natural, creamy peanut butter is essential. Avoid any store-bought peanut butters that are made with added sugars, preservatives, or additives of any kind. The only ingredients should be peanuts and salt.
  • Lime juice: The acidity in fresh lime juice brightens the dressing. For an added flavor boost, add a teaspoon of fresh lime zest, too!
  • Soy sauce: Adds an umami, salty component that is addicting. For a lower sodium version try low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos. For gluten-free, use tamari.
  • Ginger: Nothing beats the freshness and spiciness of fresh ginger. For an even spicier peanut dressing add sriracha, chili paste or chili flakes to taste.

How to Make Soba Noodle Salad

  1. Cook the soba noodles according to package instructions in a large pot of salted, boiling water until tender. Drain, then rinse with cold running water until completely cooled. Set aside.
  2. Whisk the peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar, sesame oil, and water together until smooth.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the cooked noodles with half of the peanut sauce. Add cabbage, carrot, cucumber, cilantro, and remaining sauce. Mix well until evenly distributed.
  4. Serve immediately at room temperature with sesame seeds or chill in the fridge for 15 minutes and serve chilled.

Caitlin’s Cooking Tips

  • Double the peanut sauce for meal prep. If you’re planning on prepping this cold salad for weekday lunches, I recommend preparing a double batch of the creamy peanut sauce. Pack a side of additional peanut sauce with the salad and drizzle overtop just before enjoying. This will keep it flavorful and creamy!
  • Use a runny, natural peanut butter. The best natural peanut butter will be pourable and made from just peanuts. If your peanut butter is extra thick, you will likely need additional water to thin the sauce out. This will dilute it’s creamy, nutty flavor but will work in a pinch!
a zoomed in image of soba noodle salad

Serving Suggestions

This cold crunchy salad makes the perfect light dinner, satisfying lunch or afternoon snack. Serve alone or with additional sides such as Edamame Salad with Smashed Cucumbers, Vegan Summer Rolls with Braised Tofu, or Creamy Mushroom Dumplings. I’d highly recommend serving with a refreshing beverage such as Peach Bubble Tea (Milk Tea) or an Iced Chamomile Matcha Latte.

If you’re looking for more delicious salad recipes featuring fresh veggies, you’ll also love this Fresh Thai Inspired Salad with Tempeh, this Cooked Ramen Noodle Salad with Kimchi and this Crunchy Ginger Cabbage Slaw Recipe!

How to Store Soba Noodle Salad

Store leftover vegan soba noodle salad in the fridge for up to 5 days. For best preservation, store this salad in airtight containers such as a glass mason jar or Tupperware with a tight fitting lid.

Freezing is not recommended.

soba noodle salad served in a wide white plate

Substitutions and Variations

  • Gluten-free option: Buckwheat soba noodles are typically gluten-free, but not always. Always read the ingredients before purchasing. To make this recipe gluten-free, you’ll need soba noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce. If you cannot find a gluten-free brand, you may enjoy this similar recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce.
  • Oil-free option: Omit the toasted sesame oil from the homemade peanut sauce.
  • Add extra protein: If you’re looking to make this cold soba noodle salad recipe even heartier, I’ve got several options to choose from! Try Easy Baked Tempeh, Baked Sweet Chili Tofu, or the Easiest Crispy Tofu. You can even make my Stovetop Peanut Tempeh for an even saucier salad.
  • Peanut butter substitute: If you’re looking for a milder, creamy sauce, try a more neutral nut butter such as almond butter or cashew butter.
soba noodle salad served in a white bowl topped with crispy tofu

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between soba and udon noodles?

Soba and udon noodles are Japanese noodles that share many similarities, yet differ on a few key points. Soba noodles are darker in color (typically brown/gray) and bolder in flavor. Udon noodles are closer in color to Italian pasta but are often wider and thicker. Soba noodles are also usually gluten-free whereas udon is wheat-based. For more in-depth information, check out this article.

My sauce thickened after refrigeration. How can I make it creamy again?

If the noodles and veggies are tossed adequately in the sauce they should remain fairly creamy, but you can always make a second batch of sauce to drizzle over  top leftovers and make them extra creamy again.

Where are soba noodles found in the grocery store?

These Japanese noodles are typically found in the Asian/International section of most grocery stores, but you can also purchase them online.

I can’t find buckwheat noodles. Can I use another noodle?

Readers have shared good luck using a variety of noodles, including bowtie pasta, rice noodles, and chickpea rotini.

Enjoy! If you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I would also love it if you could leave a comment below with a recipe rating! Thank you for the support 😊

Soba Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce

4.90 from 38 votes
Prep Time 16 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
This quick and delicious Cold Soba Noodle Salad is satisfying, rich in veggies, and tossed in a simple peanut sauce. Vegan, Gluten-free, Oil-free option, Nut-free option.

Ingredients
 
 

For the Salad:

  • 8 ounces soba noodles*
  • 3 cups shredded red cabbage (about 1/4 head)
  • 2 carrots finely sliced or grated
  • 1/2 English cucumber thinly sliced
  • 2/3 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds for topping (optional)

For the Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice about 1 large lime
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1/2 tablespoon ginger finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil optional
  • 1/4 cup warm water, plus more as necessary

Instructions

  • Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to package instructions, usually 4 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water until completely cooled. Set Aside.
  • Make the Peanut Sauce: While you are cooking the noodles, add the peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar, sesame oil, and warm water to a small bowl. Whisk well; the mixture should turn clumpy at first, and then smooth out to a lighter, creamy sauce. If needed, add additional water in 1 tablespoon increments until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
  • Combine: Add the cooked noodles to a large bowl along with half of the peanut sauce. Use tongs to mix well; this prevents the noodles from sticking. Then, add the cabbage, carrot, cucumber, cilantro, and remaining peanut sauce. Use tongs to mix well, until everything is evenly distributed.
  • Serve: Top with sesame seeds and serve immediately, or place in the fridge for 15 minutes to serve chilled. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes

  • Gluten-Free: If you are gluten-free, look for soba noodles (also known as buckwheat noodles) that are 100% from buckwheat flour and not a wheat & buckwheat blend. Additionally, use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
  • Nut Allergy: replace the peanut butter with tahini for a similar flavor! If you are only allergic to peanuts you can substitute it with almond butter as well.

Nutrition

Calories: 458kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 18gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 1133mgPotassium: 705mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 6066IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 3mg
Keyword: soba noodle salad, vegan noodle salad, vegan salad recipes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Japanese
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian

This recipe is also part of my monthly collaboration with my friends Jasmine and Chris of Sweet Simple Vegan. Be sure to check out their recipes for a Rainbow Pesto Hummus Sandwich and Ramen Noodle Stir Fry!

Sweet Simple Vegan On the Go Lunches

About the Author

Hey there, I’m Caitlin! I make easy-to-follow, wholesome, and budget-friendly vegan recipes that are mostly gluten-free and refined sugar-free. I’m also an avid yogi, love the great outdoors, am chocolate-obsessed, and enjoy eating almond butter straight off of the spoon.

Learn More

FREE GUIDE: 5 Tips for Quick & Easy Vegan Dinners

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Comments

  1. 4 stars
    Hard to go wrong with Peanut sauce! Better freshly prepped. Need some reviving as leftovers the next day

  2. 5 stars
    Just made this for lunch and it hit the spot! Super fresh and crunchy. I’ll definitely be repeating this as warmer weather approaches! Next time I might try breaking the noodles a bit before cooking so that mixing them in with the sauce and ingredients is easier.

  3. 5 stars
    Great recipe! Easy and flavorful. I added a half sliced red Fresno chili pepper and served it with roasted purple sweet potatoes slices.

  4. 5 stars
    Satisfying while light and crunchy! The sauce needed more acidity and I would add more cabbage as a personal preference but with added crispy tofu it was a lovely lunch 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    Really refreshing & light but still substantial enough for a full meal! I’ll probably add a bit more lime juice (or maybe rice vinegar) next time for extra acidity, but will definitely make again!

    1. 5 stars
      SO good and SO easy! When I saw this recipe, I had to make it. I didn’t have the soba noodles in the pantry but used udon noodles instead. The sauce is well balanced and the fresh veggies add a nice crunch. I also added your “easiest tofu” recipe for some protein. Adding this to the weekly rotation! Thanks for another amazing recipe, Caitlyn!

  6. 4 stars
    This was great for meal prep! I couldn’t find gluten free soba noodles at my store so I used brown rice udon noodles which worked well. Also used a coleslaw mix to save chopping time 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!

  7. 5 stars
    Delicious! I used beets and carrots, and a salad mix from Trader Joe’s for the veggies. I only wish I had more peanut sauce. So yummy. 😊

  8. 4 stars
    Simple, easy, and great for meal prep! I bought pre chopped and grated veggies to make it easier and an immersion blender for the sauce. Made it a breeze!

  9. Making this tonight using a bagged coleslaw mix. It might not look as pretty, but it will have a faster prep!

  10. Looks yum! I recently had a version of this at a hospital cafeteria and so I was on the search for an oil free version. So happy to come across you on my google search as I’ve been following you for awhile now :). They actually added chopped romaine and it was so delicious. By the way, I’m a total fan of leftovers for breakfast and many times cold leftovers lol. My husband thinks it’s gross….

  11. 5 stars
    Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.

  12. Hi, I’ve made soba noodle salad following other recipes in the past and I found all of them to stick in a one big chunk after refrigerating. I am guessing it’s due to peanut butter getting cold. Does your recipe do that too? Is there a way to circumvent that from happening for the leftover?

  13. 5 stars
    This recipe is amazing. The ingredients are cheap, it’s easy to prepare, and it makes enough to last the whole week! This has been a perfect lunch for work days this summer. Thank you!

  14. 5 stars
    I am not big on raw food at all lol. I even considered cooking the veg at one point lol. But I stuck the course and I am so glad I did. Best raw salad I’ve tasted.

    1. 4 stars
      Quick and simple to make. I’m generally not a huge fan of peanut sauce but it the recipe looked too good not to try, and I’m glad I made it!

  15. Lovely! I’ll try this one as it looks like the perfect thing to bring to work. The colours alone would lift my spirits, just in case work would be stressful (and it can be!) Lovely quotes, too.

  16. 5 stars
    The dressing is delicious, however i couldn’t find buckwheat noodles, so i used rice noodles instead and THAT WAS A MISTAKE. Next time i’ll definitely try different noodles

    1. Hey there! We don’t do any calorie calculations for recipes (just a personal preference). But if you feel so inclined you can use some online calculators/resources to calculate the calorie amounts for almost any recipe.