Zesty Peanut Zucchini Noodles (Printer View)

Spiralized zucchini with tangy peanut sauce and crisp vegetables for a bright, fresh dish.

# 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

# Method:

01 - Place spiralized zucchini, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, scallions, and chopped cilantro into 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 peanut sauce over vegetables and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
04 - Incorporate chopped peanuts into the vegetable mixture and toss gently.
05 - Transfer to serving bowls or platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and extra peanuts. Garnish with lime wedges and additional fresh cilantro if desired.
06 - Serve immediately as a fresh cold salad or refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready faster than takeout and tastes brighter than anything from a restaurant menu.
  • The peanut sauce is so good you'll want to drizzle it on everything else in your fridge.
  • No cooking required, which means no heating up the kitchen on a hot day.
  • It holds up beautifully in the fridge, so leftovers actually get better overnight.
02 -
  • If your zucchini releases too much water, gently squeeze the noodles in a clean towel before tossing, this keeps the sauce from getting watery.
  • The sauce thickens as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, reserve a little extra warm water to loosen it up before serving.
  • Taste the sauce before you pour it, every peanut butter brand has a different saltiness, so adjust the soy sauce or honey to your liking.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of the peanut sauce and keep it in a jar, it's incredible on grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or as a dip for spring rolls.
  • Use a julienne peeler if you don't have a spiralizer, it takes a bit longer but the results are just as good.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling, the aroma and flavor will be noticeably richer.
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