Kelp Noodle Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing
Looking for a light, refreshing, and nutrient-packed kelp noodle salad? This vibrant salad features crunchy kelp noodles, raw veggies, and a delicious creamy peanut dressing that brings bold flavors inspired by Asian cuisine.
If it is your first time trying kelp noodles, this recipe is a great place to start. The simple mix of carb-free kelp noodles, crisp vegetables, and homemade peanut sauce creates a perfect salad that is satisfying, healthy, and incredibly flavorful.
This blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.
This kelp noodle salad combines whole foods with fresh ingredients to create an easy lunch, meal prep dish, or light dinner, especially during the warmer months.
Why You Will Love This Kelp Noodle Salad
This healthy kelp noodle salad checks all the boxes for anyone looking for healthy food that tastes amazing.
Low carb, gluten free, and vegan friendly
Made with whole foods and raw veggies
Packed with essential vitamins and vitamin C from fresh vegetables
Naturally low calorie yet filling
Ready in under 30 minutes
Loaded with crunchy kelp noodles and a nice crunchy texture
The combination of flavors from the crisp vegetables, sesame oil, lime, and peanut butter makes every bite incredibly satisfying.
Kelp Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salad
1 package kelp noodles (12 oz I use the Sea Tangle Brand)
1 tsp baking soda
1 lemon for lemon juice
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
1 large carrot, julienned
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, julienned
½ cup edamame optional
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
For the Delicious Creamy Peanut Dressing
1/3 cup creamy natural organic peanut butter
2 tablespoons tamari (you can use soy sauce if you don’t have a gluten allergy or coconut aminos if you have a soy allergy)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 tsp fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
3-4 tablespoons water to thin
This homemade peanut sauce delivers bold flavors that perfectly complement the crunchy noodles and fresh vegetables.
Instructions
1. Prep the Kelp Noodles
If it is your first time using kelp noodles, this step is key for achieving a softer texture.
Place the crunchy kelp noodles in a bowl.
Cover with hot water or room temperature water.
Add the juice from ½ lemon and 1 teaspoon baking soda.
Massage the noodles gently for 1 to 2 minutes.
Let them sit for another 2 to 3 minutes.
This process softens the noodles and helps transform their naturally crunchy noodles texture into shorter strands with a softer texture.
Rinse thoroughly with cold water, drain, and pat dry.
2. Make the Homemade Peanut Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, pure maple syrup, sesame oil, and garlic.
Add water slowly until the delicious creamy peanut dressing reaches your desired consistency.
3. Assemble the Kelp Noodle Salad
In a large bowl combine:
softened kelp noodles
cabbage
carrot
bell pepper
cucumber
edamame
cilantro
green onions
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
You can also divide the salad into individual bowls and top each with sesame seeds or pine nuts.
4. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with sesame seeds, extra green onions, and cilantro.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes for an even better combination of flavors.
This refreshing dish makes the perfect salad for warmer months.
Tips for the Best Kelp Noodle Salad
Do not skip the soaking step. It gives the noodles a softer texture and makes them easier to eat.
For extra protein, add grilled tofu or sesame mushrooms sautéed over medium heat on the stove.
The peanut dressing stores well in the fridge for up to 5 days and works great on rice noodle bowls or stir fries.
If the noodles seem long, cut them into shorter strands with kitchen scissors for easier eating.
What Are Kelp Noodles Made From? Edible Brown Seaweed Explained
Kelp noodles are made from edible brown seaweed, a type of sea vegetable harvested from the ocean. Unlike traditional noodles such as rice noodles, kelp noodles contain almost no carbohydrates.
These translucent noodles are often found in health food stores and specialty markets.
They are popular among people following:
plant-based diets
keto diets
paleo diets
raw food diets
Because kelp is a gold mine of minerals, these noodles provide several health benefits including iodine and other essential vitamins.
Health Benefits of Kelp Noodles and Sea Vegetables
Kelp noodles are becoming increasingly popular in healthy food and whole foods recipes because they are:
naturally low calorie
rich in minerals from sea vegetables
gluten free and grain free
great for adding crunchy noodles to salads and bowls
When paired with fresh vegetables, they create a nutrient-dense meal that is both light and satisfying.
More Delicious Salad Recipes
If you enjoy this kelp noodle salad, try some of these other fresh and flavorful salads:
Autumn Harvest Kale and Butternut Squash Salad
Arugula and Beet Salad
Arugula and Pear Salad
These recipes are perfect if you love whole foods and healthy recipes.
Kelp Noodle Salad FAQs
Are kelp noodles healthy?
Yes. Kelp noodles are made from edible brown seaweed, which is a type of sea vegetable rich in minerals and essential vitamins. They are naturally low calorie, gluten free, and popular in plant-based diets and other healthy food lifestyles.
How do you soften kelp noodles?
To soften crunchy kelp noodles, soak them in a bowl of hot water with lemon juice and a small amount of baking soda. Massage the noodles gently and let them sit for a few minutes. Then rinse them with cold water. This helps create a softer texture.
Do kelp noodles taste like seaweed?
Kelp noodles have a very mild flavor and mostly take on the taste of the sauce they are paired with. In this kelp noodle salad, the homemade peanut sauce adds bold flavors that make the dish incredibly delicious.
Where can I buy kelp noodles?
Kelp noodles are usually available at health food stores, Asian grocery stores, and many online retailers. One of the most common brands you will see is Sea Tangle brand.
Final Thoughts
This kelp noodle salad is one of those delicious recipes that proves healthy food can still be incredibly satisfying. The simple mix of carb-free kelp noodles, crisp raw veggies, and a delicious creamy peanut dressing creates a dish full of bold flavors and texture.
Whether you are exploring sea vegetables for the first time or already love kelp noodles, this salad makes an easy lunch, meal prep option, or light dinner.
Full disclosure: Nutritional information and star rating may vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes.
More Delicious Salad Recipe Ideas
If you love this kelp noodle salad, try some of my other refreshing salad recipes
Kelp Noodle Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing
Ingredients
- 3 cups spinach or green of choice
- 1 package kelp noodles
- 1 red pepper
- 3/4 cup purple cabbage
- 1 cup broccoli chopped
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1/2 cup peeled carrot
- chopped cilantro measure with your heart
- handful chopped fresh mint
Peanut Dressing
- 1/3 cup creamy organic peanut butter
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3-4 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp tamari you can use coconut aminos if you have a soy allergy or soy sauce if you don't have a gluten or soy allergy
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 clove garlic pressed
Kelp Noodles
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 lemon juiced
Instructions
Prep the Kelp Noodles
- Place the crunchy kelp noodles in a bowl. Cover with hot water or room temperature water. Add the juice from ½ lemon and 1 teaspoon baking soda.1 package kelp noodles, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 lemon
- Massage noodles in water and then let sit for 1-2 minutes. Let them sit for another 2 to3 minutes. This process softens the noodles and helps transform their naturally crunchy noodles texture into shorter strands with a softer texture.
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry
Make The Homemade Peanut Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, lime juice, pure maple syrup, and garlic.Add water slowly until the delicious creamy peanut dressing reaches your desired consistency.1/3 cup creamy organic peanut butter, 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 3-4 tbsp water, 2 tbsp tamari, 1 tbsp pure maple syrup, 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, 1 clove garlic
Assemble The Kelp Noodle Salad
- Chop the cucumbers, broccoli, and purple cabbage into chunks, chop the red bell pepper into thin slices, and peel your carrot. Chop the mint and cilantro.1 red pepper, 3/4 cup purple cabbage, 1 cup broccoli, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/2 cup peeled carrot, handful chopped fresh mint
- Now build the salad beginning with spinach. Then add prepared kelp noodles. Layer on all of the chopped vegetables.3 cups spinach or green of choice
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. You can also divide the salad into individual bowls if you prefer
Garnish & Serve
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, extra green onions, and cilantro. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes for better combination of flavors. This refreshing dish makes the perfect salad for warmer months.
2 Comments