Tangy Twist: Fresh Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe for Lunch Joy

Tangy and refreshing, this ramen noodle salad bursts with vibrant flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp vegetables mingle with springy noodles in a delightful fusion of textures and tastes.

Crunchy cabbage and bright carrots provide a satisfying crunch in every bite.

The zesty dressing brings a punch of umami that elevates this simple dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

You’ll love how quickly this salad comes together, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Packed with color and nutrition, this recipe offers a delicious twist on traditional noodle dishes.

Prepare to be amazed by how a few simple ingredients can create such a memorable meal.

Ramen Noodle Salad Highlights

• This ramen noodle salad transforms simple ingredients into a texture-packed dish that's incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
• By combining toasted almonds, crunchy noodles, and a zesty dressing, you'll create a vibrant salad that delivers maximum taste with minimal cooking effort.
• Swap out seeds, adjust seasoning, or play with different nut varieties to make this recipe uniquely yours, allowing endless personalization for every palate.
• Prepare this salad ahead of time and let it chill, which not only enhances the flavors but also makes it an ideal make-ahead option for busy weekdays or potluck gatherings.

Ramen Noodle Salad Ingredients

• Broccoli Slaw Mix: A colorful base that adds crunch and nutrition to the salad.
• Cole Slaw Mix: Provides additional texture and vegetable variety.
• Ramen Noodles: The signature element that gives the salad its unique character and crunch.

• Sliced Almonds, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Chopped Peanuts: These add delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the salad.

• Olive Oil, Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Sugar: A balanced combination that creates a sweet and tangy dressing that coats the salad perfectly.

• Ramen Noodle Seasoning Packets: Provides an extra burst of flavor to the dressing.

Making Ramen Noodle Salad

Step 1: Toast Nutty Delights

Preheat your oven to 300F.

Spread sliced almonds on a baking sheet.

Toast them for about 8 minutes until they release a fragrant aroma.

Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.

Step 2: Create Magical Dressing

• Olive oil
• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sugar

Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a smooth and flavorful base for your salad.

Step 3: Prepare Vibrant Veggie Base

Combine broccoli slaw and cole slaw mixes in a large mixing bowl.

These colorful vegetable strands will form the foundation of your salad.

Step 4: Crunch Those Noodles

While keeping ramen noodles in their packages, gently break them into small bite-sized pieces about half an inch long.

Open the packages and add the crushed noodles to the vegetable mix.

Set aside the seasoning packets for later use.

Step 5: Add Crunchy Texture

• Sesame seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Chopped peanuts

Mix thoroughly to distribute the nutty elements evenly.

Step 6: Boost Dressing Flavor

Empty the ramen seasoning packets into your prepared dressing.

Whisk well to incorporate the additional flavor profile completely.

Step 7: Coat and Combine

Pour the enhanced dressing over the slaw mixture.

Gently toss to ensure every ingredient gets thoroughly coated with the delicious sauce.

Step 8: Chill and Develop Flavors

Refrigerate the salad for at least 3 hours or overnight.

This resting period allows the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a truly memorable dish that’s cool, crisp, and bursting with taste.

Tips for Ramen Noodle Salad

• Watch almonds closely while toasting to prevent burning, aiming for a light golden color and fragrant aroma without scorching.
• Adjust sugar and vinegar proportions to balance sweetness and tanginess according to personal taste preferences.
• Experiment with different seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, or sesame to add unique texture and nutty flavors to the salad.
• Use fresh broccoli slaw and cole slaw mix for maximum crispness, avoiding pre-packaged mixes that might be soggy.
• Refrigerate salad for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.

Keeping Ramen Noodle Salad Fresh

• Store leftover ramen noodle salad in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled to maintain crisp texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Skip freezing this salad as noodles and vegetables will become soggy and lose their crunch when thawed.
• Gently stir the salad at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to help redistribute dressing and restore texture.
• If noodles feel soft, sprinkle fresh toasted almonds or seeds just before serving to restore the original crispy texture.

Ramen Noodle Salad Pairing Options

• Savor Ramen Noodle Salad with Perfect Pairings
• Complement Protein Power: Grilled chicken or seared shrimp bring a protein punch that balances the salad's crunchy texture, creating a complete meal with complementary flavors and satisfying protein richness.
• Refresh with Crisp White Wine: Pair with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, whose light, zesty notes cut through the salad's nutty and tangy dressing, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the dish's bold flavors.
• Cool Down with Asian-Inspired Beverage: Serve alongside green tea or a light Japanese beer like Sapporo, which echo the salad's Asian-inspired ingredients and provide a clean, crisp accompaniment that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Accent with Citrus Side: Add a small side of mandarin orange segments or a quick cucumber salad to brighten the dish, introducing a fresh, light element that complements the salad's complex flavor profile.

Creative Takes on Ramen Noodle Salad

• Gluten-Free Ramen Delight: Replace traditional ramen noodles with gluten-free rice noodles or zucchini noodles. Use tamari instead of soy sauce to maintain a gluten-free profile while keeping the authentic Asian-inspired flavor.
• Vegan Protein Power: Swap almonds and seeds with roasted chickpeas or tofu crumbles. Use maple syrup or agave instead of sugar, and substitute olive oil with sesame oil for a richer plant-based version.
• Low-Carb Veggie Crunch: Eliminate ramen noodles completely and increase vegetable content. Add cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables like cucumber and carrots. Use a keto-friendly sweetener like stevia in the dressing for a carb-conscious alternative.
• Spicy Asian Remix: Incorporate sriracha or chili garlic sauce into the dressing. Add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for extra heat. Include chopped green onions and cilantro to enhance the spicy, vibrant flavor profile.

FAQs

• Why use both broccoli slaw and cole slaw mixes?

The combination provides a more complex texture and flavor profile. Broccoli slaw adds crunch and nutrition, while cole slaw mix brings a classic cabbage base that helps the salad hold the dressing better.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! This salad actually improves when chilled for 3-8 hours. The flavors blend together, and the noodles soften slightly, creating a more cohesive dish. It’s perfect for meal prep or preparing in advance for gatherings.

• Are there any protein options I can add to make this a complete meal?

Definitely! Grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, sliced tofu, or even canned tuna work great. These proteins will transform the salad from a side dish to a satisfying main course without changing the fundamental recipe.

• Is this salad gluten-free?

Not in its current form. Traditional ramen noodles and soy sauce contain gluten. However, you can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free ramen noodles, tamari instead of soy sauce, and checking that your seasoning packet is gluten-free.

Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crunchy Asian-inspired Ramen Noodle Salad delivers a perfect blend of tangy flavors and textural delight. Cool noodles, crisp vegetables, and zesty dressing combine for a refreshing meal that brings excitement to your table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 1 14 ounces (397 grams) prepackaged cole slaw mix
• 1 12 ounces (340 grams) prepackaged broccoli slaw mix

Seeds and Nuts:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) seeded sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or raw chopped peanuts

Dressing and Noodles:

• 2 packages ramen noodles (either beef or oriental flavor)
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F and arrange sliced almonds on a baking sheet. Toast for 8 minutes until fragrant, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove and allow to cool completely.
2. Create the dressing by whisking olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar in a medium bowl until sugar dissolves completely. Set aside for later use.
3. Combine broccoli slaw and cole slaw mixes in a large mixing bowl, creating a vibrant vegetable base for the salad.
4. Crush ramen noodle packages into half-inch pieces while still sealed. Open packages and add noodle pieces to the vegetable mixture, reserving seasoning packets.
5. Incorporate cooled toasted almonds and selected seeds (sesame, sunflower, or chopped peanuts) into the slaw mixture, stirring to distribute evenly.
6. Empty ramen seasoning packets into the prepared dressing, mixing thoroughly to integrate all flavor components.
7. Drizzle the seasoned dressing over the slaw mixture, tossing carefully to ensure complete and even coating of all ingredients.
8. Refrigerate the salad for minimum 3 hours or overnight, allowing flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste profile. Serve chilled for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Toast nuts carefully to prevent burning, watching them closely and stirring occasionally for even golden color.
• Customize seed and nut mix by swapping almonds with cashews, pecans, or peanuts for varied texture and flavor profiles.
• Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like honey, agave, or monk fruit for a healthier version of the dressing.
• Make salad gluten-free by substituting traditional ramen noodles with rice noodles or gluten-free crispy noodle alternatives.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 315
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 0mg