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    Home / Recipes / Vegan Entrees

    Tahini Noodles

    Published: Jan 12, 2023 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Tahini Noodles can be served hot or cold. With a light tahini sauce full of vegetables and rice noodles, this tahini noodle recipe is a fabulous, gluten-free, oil-free noodle bowl you will love. Dinner is 30 minutes or less!

    Tahini Noodles in a bowl on the counter

    Light yet satisfying tahini noodles are the answer to your 30 minutes or less dinner. When I'm in a hurry, I still want a quality meal even though I have limited time. Delicious, and satisfying, this Asian tahini noodle bowl is packed with vegetables and a light Asian tahini dressing. And this tahini noodle recipe can be made a day in advance for even more speedy delivery. 

    Jump to:
    • Noodle Recipe Ingredients 
    • Noodle Recipe Ingredient Substitutions
    • How to Prepare Rice Noodles 
    • How to Make the Noodle Bowl 
    • How to Make the Tahini Sauce 
    • Sauce Substitutions
    • How to Assemble the Bowl
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips
    • Suggested Asian Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    You can customize the tahini noodle bowl based on what's in your refrigerator or what you're craving.

    In my refrigerator, I found purple and white cabbage, green onions, leftover shelled edamame, red pepper, and other veggies.

    So, I used my extra veggies and dressed them up for dinner from start to finish.

    Noodle Recipe Ingredients 

    Tahini noodle Ingredients: red cabbage, red peppers, broccoli, jalapeno, green onions, cabbage, and purple cabbage, chopped on  a cutting board
    • Rice Noodles: I like Thai Kitchen Rice Noodles the best. You can choose wide noodles or thinner ones, which are oil-free and gluten-free.
    • Broccoli florets: I love broccoli in bowls because it absorbs any sauce like a sponge. If your dish is spicy, broccoli always holds the heat.
    • Red cabbage: Although called red cabbage, the purple hue is my favorite way to add color and crunch to a recipe.
    • Green cabbage: I like to use green cabbage, which looks white, or I love Napa cabbage for a more delicate addition to the bowl.
    • Carrots: I shred my carrots instead of chopping them, so they are similar to the texture of the cabbage.
    • Red Bell Pepper: The red bell pepper adds vibrant red color and a sweet taste to the dish. I cut the red bell pepper for texture, similar to the cabbage and carrots.
    • Scallions: I love green onions because they are mild but add a unique addition to the bowl. Add the greens at the ends as well.
    • Jalapeño: Make sure to use gloves when handling jalapenos. Jalapenos are very mild if the seeds and veins are removed. However, if you like it spicier, add a few seeds to heat things.
    • Mame- shelled edamame: Shelled edamame can be found in the produce section kept cold or in the freezer department. I always buy them shelled to save myself some time.
    • Fresh cilantro: I love cilantro, but if you taste soap when you eat cilantro, choose Thai basil instead for this recipe.
    • Peanuts: The peanuts add a crunch and a salty component to the noodle dish.
    • Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, B vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other beneficial plant compounds. Just a sprinkle will do.

    Noodle Recipe Ingredient Substitutions

    • Any noodles work well with this recipe.
    • Choose green or yellow bell peppers to substitute for red bell peppers.
    • Skip the jalapeno if you don't like spice, or if you want spice, consider adding a couple of seeds to make it hotter.
    • Choose cashews to replace the peanuts, or skip the peanuts altogether for a nut-free version.
    • Add any veggies you enjoy.
    • Thai Basil is wonderful with these flavors.
    • Substitute carrot ginger dressing with a nut-free, sesame-free dressing.

    How to Prepare Rice Noodles 

    Rinsing and cooling rice noodles in a colander in the sink.

    Rice noodles are noodles made from rice, so they are naturally gluten-free.

    The principal ingredients, for example, are rice flour and water.

    Rice noodles are delicious, but they also cook in 4-6 minutes, depending on how you like them. Furthermore, rice noodles absorb the dressing flavors and maintain their texture regardless of dressing in advance.

    Another great tip for cooking rice noodles is that it only takes 4-6 minutes to boil; you can also cook vegetables, like broccoli, simultaneously in the same pot.

    How to Make the Noodle Bowl 

    All the ingredient sin a bowl on the counter

    To satisfy my Asian food craving, I focused on creating delicious, slightly spicy, sweet, crunchy, and healthy tahini noodles. With that in mind, the tahini sauce brings savory and sweet flavors together in beautiful harmony.

    Although I'm typically a savory girl, I like it slightly sweet. So I always add more red pepper flakes or ask for extra spice at our local Asian restaurant.

    Not only do tahini noodles make a fabulous dinner, but if you're smart, you make enough for lunch the next day.

    The longer it marinates in the dressing, the more fabulous the vegan Thai tahini noodle bowls taste.

    How to Make the Tahini Sauce 

    Asian Tahini Sauce was poured over the tahini noodle recipe ingredients on the counter.

    Despite my usual miso tahini or Thai peanut dressing, I used tahini differently for this particular tahini noodle recipe. Tahini, a paste made of pureed sesame seeds, is like almond butter or peanut butter but with a milder flavor.

    Even though tahini is often used in Middle Eastern dishes such as edamame hummus, tahini is a versatile ingredient because it heightens the flavors of the other ingredients in the dressing.

    Though the main ingredient, the tahini serves as the creamy base for the roasted sesame-flavored dressing.

    • Tahini: Tahini may look a little like peanut butter but doesn't taste like it. Tahini isn't sweet like most nut butter; the nutty flavor is strong and earthy and can be a little bitter.
    • Fresh Ginger: Whenever possible, I suggest using fresh over powdered ginger. There is also paste available as well.
    • Garlic: Again, fresh garlic is always preferred over jarred or dried.
    • Rice Wine Vinegar: Rice wine vinegar has a sweet flavor and works well with tahini to balance the flavors.
    • Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is always better, but bottled lime juice works in a pinch.
    • Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: I suggest a low sodium version because the tahini also has sodium
    • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes give the dressing a little kick. If you don't like spice, skip this ingredient.
    • Maple Syrup: Maple syrup gives the dressing a little sweetness
    • Water: The water is used to thin the dressing
    • Sea Salt: Just a little pinch of salt brings out the savoriness of the dressing.
    • Pepper to taste: I prefer fresh ground pepper whenever possible.

    Sauce Substitutions

    • Choose almond butter or another nut butter to substitute the tahini.
    • Ginger paste is closer to fresh ginger than powdered.
    • Mirin is a good substitute for rice vinegar, and champagne vinegar also has a light and sweeter profile.
    • Date syrup or agave works well in place of maple syrup.
    • If you don't have red pepper flakes, consider adding a small amount of cayenne pepper.
    • Choose Tamari or coconut aminos to replace the soy sauce with a gluten-free option.

    How to Assemble the Bowl

    Tahini noodles in a bowl on the counter with peanut garnish

    Add additional flavors to the tahini noodles before serving. For example, serve peanuts, wasabi peas, sriracha peas, and extra red pepper flakes on the side. Furthermore, adding more cilantro is also an option.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is tahini used for in cooking?

    Tahini, sometimes called tahina, is a ground sesame butter or paste traditionally used in Middle Eastern cuisine. It takes a starring turn in dips such as hummus and baba ghanoush, gets drizzled on falafel sandwiches, or is made into tarator, a tahini-lemon-garlic sauce to accompany vegetables or other vegan dishes.

    What does tahini taste like?

    Tahini isn't sweet like most nut butter; the nutty flavor is strong and earthy and can be a little bitter. If the bitterness is strong, the batch is old or expired.

    What happens when you cook tahini?

    Stirring a tablespoon or two of tahini into a stewed vegetable dish can add a hint of toasted sesame flavor and a pleasant and subtle creaminess.

    Tips

    • When making a dressing with tahini, add the tahini into the blender last, so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the blender. It tends to be thick and sticky.
    • Transfer the rice noodles to a colander and rinse them in cold water to cool them down quickly if you plan to eat them cold. However, if you plan to eat them hot, transfer them immediately to the bowl to toss with the other ingredients once the noodles are drained.
    • For a gluten-free option, choose Tamari instead of soy in the dressing.
    Two tahini noodle bowls on the counter

    If you enjoy this tahini noodle recipe, you will love my Spicy Tofu Asian Salad with Peanut Dressing and Kale Asian Pasta Salad.

    So, if you want a quick and easy meal, try Tahini noodles!

    Suggested Asian Recipes

    • Vegan lo mein recipe
      Vegan Lo Mein
    • vegan pineapple fried rice recipe
      Pineapple Fried Rice
    • Tofu Bahn Mi Sandwich
      Tofu Banh Mi
    • General Tso Cauliflower Recipe
      General Tso Cauliflower

    If you love this Tahini noodle recipe, give it a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Asian Tahini Noodle Bowl

    Tahini Noodles

    Kathy Carmichael
    In under 30 minutes, tahini noodles can be served hot or cold. With a light tahini sauce full of vegetables and rice noodles, this tahini noodle bowl is a fabulous, gluten-free, oil-free noodle bowl you will love.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 784 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    THAI NOODLE BOWL

    • 8 ounces Rice Noodles
    • 1 cup broccoli florets
    • 1 cup red cabbage – thinly sliced
    • 1 cup green cabbage shredded
    • 3 large carrots julienned (about 1 cup)
    • 1 red bell pepper julienned
    • ½ cup scallions white and green parts – thinly sliced
    • 1 Jalapeño seeded and minced
    • 1 cup Edamame - shelled
    • 3 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro – roughly chopped
    • ⅓ cup Peanuts
    • 3 Tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds

    GINGER TAHINI DRESSING

    • 4 Tablespoons Tahini
    • 2 inches Fresh Ginger – peeled and sliced
    • 2 cloves Garlic - minced
    • 2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
    • 2 Tablespoon Lime Juice
    • 6 Tablespoons Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce or Tamari
    • 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
    • 6 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
    • 4 Tablespoons water
    • 1/12 teaspoon Sea Salt
    • Pepper to taste

    OPTIONAL

    • Baked or grilled tofu
    • Lime Wedges or garnish
    • Peanuts
    • Wasabi peas
    • Sriracha peas
    • Extra cilantro chopped

    SAUCE TO MARINATE TOFU IF ADDING TOFU TO THE RECIPE

    • ½ cup Tahini
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 Tablespoons lime juice
    • 4 teaspoons Sriracha

    Instructions
     

    GInger Tahini Dressing

    • Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
    • Set aside.

    Vegetables

    • Cut and julienne vegetables;
      except for the broccoli florets
    • Place  vegetables into a large bowl, except for the broccoli
    • Cook and shell edamame (I used mame; already shelled edamame); set aside to cool.

    Cook Noodles/Broccoli

    • In a large pot, fill ¾ full of water; add a little salt.
    • Bring to a boil.
    • Add rice noodles and broccoli.
    • Boil for 4-6 minutes.
    • Drain using a colander and run cold water over noodles and broccoli until cool.
    • Shake to drain again.
    • Add noodles and broccoli to the bowl with vegetables.
    • Pour sauce over noodles/vegetables and toss.
    • *This salad can be made 1 day ahead of time, dressed.

    Serving

    • Serve salad in individual bowls.
    • Add cilantro, nuts, or any additions to the top.
    • Serve with chopsticks or a fork.

    Notes

    • Prepare this salad up to 1 day ahead of time. 
    • For optimum flavors, dress the noodles and allow them to chill in the refrigerator. 
    • When making the dressing, add the tahini to the blender last so it doesn't stick to the base. 
    • If you don't like the taste of cilantro, Thai basil is lovely with these flavors.
    • If eating this dish warm or hot, consider sauteeing all the vegetables while the noodles cook. Then toss everything together once the noodles are drained. 
    • I like this dish with grilled tofu.
    • Substitute nut butter for tahini, or try carrot ginger dressing for a nut-free option.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4gCalories: 784kcalCarbohydrates: 100gProtein: 24gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.003gSodium: 453mgPotassium: 1099mgFiber: 11gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 9357IUVitamin C: 99mgCalcium: 271mgIron: 6mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    1. Connie

      July 12, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      "Leave a Reply?" This is a review for Tahini Noodles. Made tonight. Excellent dish that requires moderate prep (20 mins, not 10!) We (three adult appetites) did have some leftovers. Flavorful and healthy. (When I click on "Try Our Recipe, Let Us Know How it Was" >> nada/nothing happens. Also don't know where/how to leave stars. Kathy's terrific recipes are better than the site design, imho.)

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        July 13, 2022 at 5:33 am

        Hi Connie, I'm so glad you liked the tahini noodles. It's one of our favorites! Sorry for the confusion on where to rate the recipe. Right on the recipe card, there are stars at the top. So you just click how many stars you think it should get. Thanks again for the feedback. Let me know if you try any more recipes.

        Reply
    2. Kathryn J Colmer

      June 05, 2022 at 6:50 pm

      My daughter and I made this tonight and we LOVED it!! Thank you so much, it was delicious! 10 out of 10, will make again!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        June 06, 2022 at 6:04 am

        Hi Kathryn, I'm so glad you enjoyed the Asian Tahini Noodles. Thank you so much for your feedback. Check out the other noodle recipes on the site. I think you might like them!

        Reply
    3. Diane

      January 06, 2022 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      Our first new recipe of the new year. My husband, older son and I just loved this. Trying to eat more raw and this had just the perfect mix of raw and cooked.
      Very healthy! (Recommend Thai kitchen brown rice noodles because no sodium product)
      I’m not a very experienced chef so it definitely took me longer than 10 minutes prep..at least 20 with all the chopping..
      But, this definitely goes into the biweekly rotation!

      Reply
    4. Pamela Watford Maxson

      June 10, 2021 at 6:10 am

      Kathy, This looks like a delicious recipe. I will try to make this soon! Thank you for your delicious recipes!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        June 10, 2021 at 7:50 am

        Hi Pamela, let me know if you like it. Thanks for reaching gout. I am glad you are enjoying the recipes.

        Reply
    5. Anonymous

      June 02, 2020 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kathy! I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based recipes. I believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet!

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