Thai Pasta Salad is a perfect side dish to serve with your favorite barbecue dishes. This vegan pasta salad has a light oriental dressing and is filled with fresh bell peppers and cucumbers. Thai salad is sure to become a new favorite.
Thai noodle salad
Thai pasta salad is a dish Rod and I used to make all the time when we first met. Then somehow it was forgotten. I was digging through old recipes and stumbled across this recipe for a pasta salad with an Oriental dressing. Since the salad was rediscovered, we have made it again and again.
This Asian noodle salad is perfect for almost any time of the year. It's really great during the summertime to take to a potluck or a barbecue. You don't have to worry about keeping it cold. This salad is okay if it reaches room temperature. I often serve it when we grill up Marinated Flank Steak.
For a similar pasta salad with a different flavor profile, try my Asian Noodle Salad. It's made with a creamy peanut dressing instead of a sesame ginger vinaigrette.
What type of pasta do I use?
You can use spaghetti noodles or thin spaghetti noodles in this dish. Another great pasta salad with spaghetti noodles is this Spaghetti Pasta Salad.
How do I toast sesame seeds?
You can buy toasted sesame seeds, or you can toast them at home. I like to toast them at home because they aren't difficult, and buying them costs a whole lot more. To toast, use a dry small saute pan. I often use one that is perfect for frying eggs.
Do not add oil. Heatthe pan over medium heat and add sesame seeds. Use a heat-resistant spatula to move seeds around. The seeds will begin to brown in 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and place in a bowl as soon as they begin to brown. Do not take your eyes off the seeds while they are cooking. Sesame seeds burn in no time at all.
Additional Vegetable Options
We like to add cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions, but you can add whatever veggies you want into this pasta. Some options include -
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Zucchini
- Carrots
- Green Onions
- Shallots
- Snow Peas
- Radishes
The best part of this salad - besides its great taste - it keeps really well and makes amazing leftovers! I like to pack up any extras and take them in my lunch.
More Great Salad Recipes
- Israeli Couscous Salad
- Panzanella Salad
- Greek Salad
- Cobb Salad
- Pasta and Pea Salad
- Spinach, Pear, Blue Cheese Salad
- Asparagus Pasta Salad
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Orzo Chicken Salad
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Please check out all my delicious salad recipes!
Thai Noodle Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 oz pasta (I used thin spaghetti)
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 bell pepper (sliced)
- ½ sweet onion (sliced)
Dressing
- ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish
- 2 Tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 Tablespoons fresh basil (chopped)
Instructions
Salad
- Cook pasta. Drain, rinse in cool water and drain again. Place in a large bowl.8 oz pasta
- Cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and discard. Cut cucumbers into thin slices.1 medium cucumber
- Add cucumbers, bell peppers and onions to pasta.1 bell pepper, ½ sweet onion
Dressing
- Place rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes into a container. Mix well.⅓ cup rice wine vinegar, 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon sugar, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, 1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Pour dressing over pasta. Toss pasta until well combined with dressing.
- Add fresh cut basil and cilantro and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Toss lightly.1 Tablespoons fresh basil, 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, 2 Tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in August of 2016. The post has been updated.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
Love all these flavors Kathy! So perfect for a veggie dinner and then eat the yummy leftovers for lunch 😉
Kathy says
Leftovers are my favorite. This has made a spectacular lunch for me all week.
Katie Crenshaw says
I am a sucker for Thai food! I just love, love, love Thai food. I think I was Thai once in another life 🙂 Seriously, this pasta looks INCREDIBLE! I could eat the whole thing by myself. I will be saving this recipe to make soon! xoxo
Kathy says
Thanks, Katie! I have eaten this whole thing all by myself 🙂
Adina says
Absolutely delicious! And it reminds me of one of my own forgotten pasta salads, which I should definitely start making again. It looks similar to yours but I make it with roasted veggies and balsamic vinegar.... Mmmm!
Kathy says
Oooohhhh! Roasted veggies 🙂 That does sound yummy!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I'm a big fan of anything Thai and I LOVE me a good pasta salad, so this one is totally calling my name, Kathy! I could eat this as a meal, but it also makes the perfect side!! Cheers, friend!
P.S. Isn't it the best when you re-vist oldie, but goodie recipes?! It's like a big hug from a long lost friend. 🙂
Kathy says
I've eaten it several times as a meal all by itself! Totally filling and satisfying!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
Isn't it great when old beloved but forgotten recipes re-surface? I love all the veggies in this one, and the great Thai flavors!
Kathy says
I agree!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
This looks like a great lunch, dinner, or snack!! I love this combo of ingredients 🙂
Kathy says
You are right....perfect for anytime, even snack time!
Manali@CookWithManali says
I must try this salad, love Thai flavors!
Kathy says
Give it a try....you will love it!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
I'm a huge fan of pasta salad, especially when it is packed with thai inspired flavor.
Kathy says
I've used the dressing on green salads too.
Balvinder says
What a spectacular pasta salad. I love thai flavors.
Kathy says
Thanks! 🙂
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
Look so delicious and fresh, Kathy! Love pasta salads...makes for perfect weekday lunches 🙂
Kathy says
They pack up nicely and taste so good....everyone else wants what I'm having when I bring it in my lunch 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
That salad looks fantastic. I love pasta salads and sesame! This would be perfect to pack for lunches too! Pinned!
Kathy says
Sesame seeds and sesame oil have such great flavor.
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
This look super amazing Kathy. Anything with sesame oil is good in my book - it really gives amazing flavor. And I love salads that make good leftovers. We pack a lot of lunches around here. Hope you're enjoying the last vestiges of summer. School started this past Monday for all my boys except Hudson, Jonathan is safely delivered to college, and we welcomed an exchange student from China for the year. (!)
Kathy says
What an exciting year you have ahead of you! Enjoy every minute 🙂
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
What a beautiful and delicious looking Thai pasta salad. I am crazy for anything with pasta and Thai flavors. Awesome flavors, Kathy.
Kathy says
Thanks, Anu! It really is one of our favorites.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Looks awesome Kathy and I totally love the flavors!
Kathy says
Thanks!
annie@ciaochowbambina.com says
I just adore recipes like this! Pasta salads with whatever the garden's producing! Nice!
Kathy says
It is great to just put in whatever you have on hand or whatever your favorites are.
David @ Spiced says
What a fun summer salad, Kathy! I can see how you guys would want to make this one all the time...it sounds incredible. And I love the thin spaghetti as the pasta choice here. Summer's not over yet here (it's still hot!), so that means it's totally ok to keep on making summer pasta salads. I want to put this one on the list! 🙂
Kathy says
It's still hot here too....I think summer will stick around for a bit longer!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
I really like how veggie versatile this recipe is Kathy! It's looks tasty, easy and incorporates lots of stuff I'm using in m garden. Going to throw in some zucchini and green beans because I have to use them up! Thanks for sharing.
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I love thai pasta salads, Kathy. They have some much flavor and make such good left overs. I'm always looking for a dish I can make for dinner and then bring to lunch the next day. Pinning!
Kathy says
This makes the best leftovers and packs well in a lunch!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
Looks beautiful, Kathy, and I bet the flavors are fantastic! Great summer pasta idea!
Kathy says
It is really great.
mira says
looks gorgeous and I'm sure tastes delicious! Pinned!
Kathy says
Super tasty! Thanks 🙂