Zesty Peanut Zucchini Noodles (Printable)

A refreshing blend of spiralized zucchini and veggies in a creamy, tangy peanut sauce.

# 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 peanut butter (natural, unsweetened preferred)
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)

→ Garnish

15 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
16 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in twenty minutes flat, no cooking required—perfect for when you need something fast but impressive.
  • The peanut sauce is tangy, creamy, and tastes like takeout but costs a fraction of the price.
  • It's naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free without tasting like it's missing anything.
02 -
  • Spiralize your zucchini right before serving or it will weep water and dilute your beautiful sauce—I learned this the hard way.
  • If you make the sauce ahead, it thickens as it sits, so warm it gently with a splash more water before tossing.
03 -
  • Keep sesame oil in a cool, dark spot because its nutty flavor fades fast when exposed to heat and light.
  • The difference between good peanut sauce and unforgettable peanut sauce is squeezing the lime juice fresh and tasting as you go—trust your palate over the measurements.
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