Zesty Peanut Zucchini Noodles (Printable Version)

Spiralized zucchini noodles with creamy peanut sauce, crisp vegetables, and herbs for a vibrant, fresh meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
02 - 1 cup shredded carrots
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

→ Peanut Sauce

07 - 1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter, unsweetened
08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
13 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
14 - 2 to 4 tablespoons warm water (to thin sauce)

→ Garnish

15 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
16 - Lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine spiralized zucchini, shredded carrots, sliced red bell pepper, scallions, and chopped cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, lime juice, sriracha (if using), and 2 tablespoons warm water in a separate bowl until smooth. Add more water as needed to achieve a pourable consistency.
03 - Pour the peanut sauce over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
04 - Incorporate chopped roasted peanuts into the salad and toss gently once more.
05 - Transfer to serving bowls or a platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and additional peanuts. Garnish with lime wedges and extra cilantro as desired.
06 - Serve immediately as a refreshing cold salad or refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to deepen flavors before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 20 minutes with zero cooking, meaning your kitchen stays cool and your hands stay mostly clean.
  • The peanut sauce is rich and creamy enough to feel indulgent, but the whole bowl stays light and refreshing.
  • It's endlessly adaptable depending on what you have on hand or what you're craving that day.
02 -
  • Pat your spiralized zucchini dry with a kitchen towel before tossing; excess moisture will dilute the sauce and make the whole dish watery.
  • The sauce thickens slightly as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, whisk in an extra tablespoon of warm water just before serving.
  • Don't let the optional sriracha fool you; even a small amount changes the personality of the dish, so taste and adjust to your heat preference.
03 -
  • If your zucchini releases water as it sits, drain the bowl gently or use a fine-mesh strainer to keep the sauce from becoming diluted.
  • Toast your own peanuts or buy them roasted and unsalted to control the salt level in the final dish, which matters more than you'd think.
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