Zesty Peanut Zucchini Noodles (Printable)

Spiralized zucchini with tangy peanut sauce, fresh herbs, and crisp vegetables for a refreshing dish.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
02 - 1 cup shredded carrots
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
05 - ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - ¼ cup roasted peanuts, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

→ Peanut Sauce

07 - ⅓ 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 - 2–4 tablespoons warm water (to thin sauce)

→ Garnish

15 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
16 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, place spiralized zucchini, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, scallions, and chopped cilantro.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, sriracha if using, and 2 tablespoons warm water until smooth, adding more water as needed to reach a pourable consistency.
03 - Pour the peanut sauce over the vegetables and toss gently to evenly coat.
04 - Incorporate chopped peanuts and toss again to distribute evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving bowls or a platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, extra peanuts, and garnish with lime wedges and additional fresh cilantro as desired.
06 - Serve immediately chilled as a cold dish, or refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The peanut sauce is so creamy and tangy it makes raw vegetables feel like a treat, not a chore.
  • You can have this on the table in twenty minutes, no heat required, which is perfect for summer or lazy evenings.
  • It stays crunchy and fresh even after a few hours in the fridge, so leftovers actually taste good.
  • The flavors are bold enough to stand alone but flexible enough to add protein or swap vegetables based on what you have.
02 -
  • Don't spiralize the zucchini too far in advance or it will release water and make the whole dish watery, thirty minutes before serving is ideal.
  • If the peanut sauce seems too thick after sitting, just whisk in another tablespoon of warm water instead of adding more oil or peanut butter.
  • Taste the sauce before you pour it over everything because the saltiness of soy sauce and peanut butter varies wildly by brand.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for about sixty seconds until they smell nutty and start to pop, it makes a huge difference.
  • Use a julienne peeler if you don't have a spiralizer, the noodles won't be as long but the texture and flavor are exactly the same.
  • Taste a strand of zucchini after tossing and if it feels bland, add a pinch of salt directly to the vegetables before serving, not just to the sauce.
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