Description
This Crunchy Ramen Noodle Salad is a delightful mix of toasted nuts and seeds, crunchy crushed ramen noodles, and a tangy, flavorful dressing. Perfectly balanced with fresh cabbage, green onions, and optional cilantro, this salad is a refreshing and textured dish that can be served as a side or a light main.
Ingredients
Scale
Ramen and Seeds Mix
- 2 packages (3 ounces each) ramen noodles, any flavor (discard seasoning packet)
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
Dressing
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salad Base
- 4 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Toast Nuts and Seeds: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds evenly on a baking sheet. Toast them in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until they become lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- Prepare Ramen Noodles: Place the uncooked ramen noodles in a resealable plastic bag. Using a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet, gently crush the noodles into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are not too fine to retain crunch.
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix until the dressing is well combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix, thinly sliced green onions, chopped fresh cilantro if using, cooled toasted nuts and seeds, and the crushed ramen noodles. Toss well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss thoroughly until every ingredient is well coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve the salad chilled for a refreshing and crunchy experience.
Notes
- To keep the ramen noodles crunchy, add them just before serving if you prefer to prepare the salad earlier without refrigeration.
- You can substitute any nuts or seeds based on your preference or availability.
- The salad can be customized by adding shredded carrots or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free ramen noodles or substitute with crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice tolerance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
