Description
Cilantro Lime Noodles is a quick, refreshing dish featuring delicate rice noodles tossed in a zesty lime and garlic dressing with fresh cilantro and optional crunchy toppings. This light and flavorful recipe is perfect as a side or a light meal, ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 200g thin rice noodles or spaghetti
Dressing
- Juice of 2 fresh limes
- Zest of 1 lime
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
Toppings
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Chili flakes or fresh chilies, to taste
- Chopped peanuts or cashews (for crunch)
- Shredded carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas (for extra vegetables)
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Boil your chosen noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse them under cold water to stop further cooking, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, soy sauce, and your choice of oil until well combined and aromatic.
- Combine Noodles and Dressing: Gently toss the cooled noodles with the dressing, making sure each strand is evenly coated with the zesty mixture for maximum flavor.
- Add Fresh Cilantro and Optional Toppings: Stir in the finely chopped cilantro. If you like, add chili flakes or fresh chilies to taste, along with chopped nuts and shredded vegetables for added texture and flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the noodles immediately or chill briefly for a refreshing cold salad. Adjust seasoning with salt or extra lime juice as desired before serving.
Notes
- Use gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Substitute spaghetti if rice noodles are unavailable, but rice noodles give a more authentic light texture.
- Additional vegetables like shredded carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas add crunch and color.
- Chilling the noodles briefly enhances the refreshing salad style, but serving warm is also delicious.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes to your heat preference.
