You’re going to love this vegetarian edamame soba noodle salad! It’s got that chewtastic texture from the soba noodles, crunchy veggies, and a garlicky dressing that’ll make your taste buds sing.
Solves weeknight dinner pressure, lack of protein, and boring lunches by delivering a quick, easy noodle salad with edamame, vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
Sometimes, I face that classic dinner dilemma: what to make that’s quick, healthy, and still different enough to keep things exciting. This recipe totally helps with that! It’s easy to whip up when you’re low on time or just want something fresh.
You’ll be amazed at how fast it comes together, only 20 minutes from start to finish! The dressing takes just 2 minutes to mix up, which is perfect because it means you won’t be hanging out in the kitchen forever. Plus, the noodles stay nice and firm with the quick cooking method, so no more soggy messes!
If you’re looking for something to pair it with, this salad goes well with a light dish, too. If you want a yummy pasta idea, check out my Vegetarian Summer Pasta Salad.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Chewy Meets Crunchy : The soba noodles offer a lovely chewiness, while the fresh veggies add a satisfying crunch. It’s a great texture experience in every bite.
- Savory and Garlicky Goodness : With its umami flavors and a hint of garlic, this salad is a flavor bomb that makes healthy eating surprisingly enjoyable.
- Quick and Easy Prep : You can whip this up in just 20 minutes, making it a stress-free meal option for busy weeknights or last-minute lunches.
- Storage Made Simple : You can keep it in the fridge for up to a day, but just remember to store the dressing separately for best results.
Quick Edamame Noodle Salad
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cool Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 side dish servings 1x
- Category: salad
- Method: cold salad
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing cold salad featuring edamame, soba noodles, and a garlicky dressing.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces soba noodles
- 1.5 cups cooked edamame
- 1 medium English cucumber, sliced
- 2–3 medium green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 21/2 teaspoons sambal
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Cook The Noodles: Start by boiling water in a medium pot and cook the soba noodles until they are just tender, which usually takes about 8 minutes. You will know they are ready when they are al dente but not mushy. Do not let them overcook or they may stick together later.
- Rinse & Cool: Once the noodles are cooked, rinse them under cold water immediately to stop the cooking process. This will help them stay firm and avoid that sticky texture. It is crucial not to skip this step for the best results!
- Make The Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, maple syrup, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix until everything is well combined and fragrant. You will want to enjoy that garlicky aroma filling your kitchen! Be cautious with the soy sauce, as it can be saltier than you expect.
- Toss In Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled noodles with shelled edamame, sliced cucumbers, sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. The salad should look colorful and inviting. If the noodles seem bland, do not hesitate to add more garlic or sambal to kick up the flavor!
- Drizzle The Dressing: Pour the garlicky dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until each noodle is coated. Take care to add the dressing little by little to avoid going overboard. Your kitchen will smell wonderful!
- Serve & Enjoy: Allow the salad to sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to mingle before serving. It will taste even better after a short rest! While it may be tempting to eat right away, a little patience will enhance the flavor.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container at a temperature below 40 degrees F for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, keep the dressing and sesame seeds separate and mix right before serving.
- Expert Tips: If the noodles feel sticky, rinse them under ice water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and separate them.
- For a mellower dressing, add a little extra maple syrup or vinegar to balance any overly salty flavors and create a more harmonious taste.
- When more flavor is desired in the salad, you can increase the amounts of garlic and sambal for a bolder taste.
- If using frozen edamame, a quick steam or microwave can finish them off perfectly for mixing into your salad.
- Toasting sesame seeds before adding them to your salad enhances their nutty flavor and adds extra texture.
- Reheating Instructions: This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, without reheating.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this salad with grilled tofu or chicken for added protein. It pairs well with a light miso soup for a complete meal. Topping with extra sesame seeds adds a nice crunchy garnish.
- Recipe Variations: Substituting soba noodles: You can use udon, ramen, or even spaghetti if you do not have soba noodles on hand.
- For extra texture, consider incorporating spiralized zucchini.
- Swap out the cucumbers for bell peppers or carrots for a different crunch.
- Add a splash of lemon juice for a fresh twist if desired.
- Ingredient Notes: When selecting ingredients, choose fresh cucumbers and quality edamame for the best flavor. Look for good quality soy sauce and toasted sesame oil to enhance the overall taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the salad
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1083mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: not specified
- Trans Fat: not specified
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: not specified
Find it online: https://bakeitwell.com/vegetarian-edamame-soba-noodle-salad
Recipe Tips
- If noodles feel sticky, a quick rinse under ice water right after cooking helps separate them and stops the cooking process.
- For a mellower dressing, a little extra maple syrup or vinegar can soften too salty flavors and create a more balanced taste.
- When you want more flavor, increasing the garlic and sambal can really amp up the taste profile of the salad.
- If using frozen edamame, a quick steam or microwave finishes them off perfectly for mixing into your salad.
- For additional crunch, toasting sesame seeds before sprinkling them on top brings out their nutty flavor and adds texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vegetarian edamame soba noodle salad with grilled tofu or chicken for added protein. Pair it with a light miso soup for a complete meal.
You can use the salad as a topping for rice bowls or as a filling in lettuce wraps. It also works well as a side dish for other grain-based meals.
Top the salad with extra sesame seeds for a crunchy garnish. A drizzle of sesame oil can add additional flavor and richness to each serving.
Recipe variations
- You can use rice noodles or udon instead of soba noodles for a different texture and flavor in your edamame noodle salad.
- Add 1 tablespoon of fresh minced ginger to the dressing for a zesty kick that complements the sesame flavors well.
- Either replace the salad’s cucumbers with diced bell peppers or thinly sliced carrots for a crunchy alternative that adds vibrant color.
- If preparing for a larger group, double the ingredients, using 12 ounces of noodles and 3 cups of cooked edamame to serve more people.
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How to Store?
To keep your vegetarian edamame soba noodle salad fresh, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Keep dressing separate for fresher taste.
Freezing: Combine noodles and vegetables in a freezer bag, sealing tightly. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Room Temperature: Serve immediately after preparation. Do not leave out for more than 2 hours to maintain freshness and food safety.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Vegetarian Bruschetta Pasta Salad
- Vegetarian Cucumber Dill Pasta Salad
- Vegetarian Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Vegetarian Watermelon Feta Orzo
If you enjoyed this vegetarian edamame soba noodle salad or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
