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Cold Sesame Noodle Shrimp Salad artfully arranged

Zesty Cold Sesame Noodle Shrimp Salad

This Zesty Cold Sesame Noodle Shrimp Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish, combining tender shrimp and al dente spaghetti with crisp vegetables, all tossed in a rich, savory sesame dressing.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Medium Bowl
  • Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

For the Noodles & Shrimp

  • 8 oz dried spaghetti
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil (for cooking shrimp)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

For the Vegetables

  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
  • 2 carrots, julienned
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chopped green onions (scallions)
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

For the Sesame Dressing

  • ¼ cup tahini (sesame paste)
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1-2 tbsp water (to thin, as needed)
  • 1 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)

For Garnish

  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Extra chopped green onions or cilantro

Instructions
 

Cooking

  • Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with a drizzle of sesame oil.
  • Pat shrimp dry, then cook in a skillet with sesame oil, salt, and pepper for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque; let cool slightly.

Dressing

  • Whisk together tahini, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil in a bowl, thinning with water as needed, then taste and adjust seasoning.

Assembly

  • Combine cooled noodles, shrimp, cucumber, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
  • Pour the sesame dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  • For optimal flavor, cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • Serve chilled, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and extra green onions or cilantro.

Notes

For extra crunch, consider adding some chopped peanuts or cashews to the salad. Adjust sriracha to your preferred level of spiciness. This salad is great for meal prep and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.