Description
This Crunchy Asian Ramen Noodle Salad is a vibrant, quick, and flavorful dish combining crispy ramen noodles, fresh shredded vegetables, toasted nuts, and a tangy Asian-inspired dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side, it offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes with a hint of sweetness from mandarin oranges and honey.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 pack ramen noodles, crumbled (discard seasoning)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or purple)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup mandarin oranges (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the crumbled ramen noodles, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds. Mix gently to combine all the crunchy components.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, ground ginger, and minced garlic until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Toss thoroughly but gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated without crushing the crunchy noodles.
- Let Flavors Meld: Allow the salad to sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature. This resting time lets the flavors develop and the vegetables soften slightly while maintaining crunch.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, garnish the salad with mandarin oranges for a pop of sweetness and color. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side or light main dish.
Notes
- To ensure maximum crunch, add the dressing just before serving if you prefer extra crispy noodles.
- You can substitute sunflower seeds with pumpkin seeds or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
- Use fresh mandarin oranges or canned ones drained well to avoid excess moisture.
- Honey can be replaced with sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 1 day but will lose some crispness over time.
