Looking for a light, crunchy, and exciting dish that packs a punch of flavor? The Best Ramen Noodle Salad is your go-to recipe. This salad is quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or even just a delicious side to your main course. The blend of crispy ingredients combined with the unique flavor of ramen noodles creates a delightful dish that everyone will love. Whether you serve it as a refreshing appetizer or a satisfying meal, this ramen noodle salad is sure to impress with its vibrant textures and tastes.
Why We Love This Best Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
This Best Ramen Noodle Salad has a special place in our hearts, and here’s why. First, it’s incredibly easy to make, allowing you to whip up a delicious meal in just under 30 minutes. The combination of crunchy nuts, fresh coleslaw, and the savory ramen noodles creates a perfect medley of flavors and textures. Plus, the dressing adds a zing that ties the entire dish together beautifully. You can customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or proteins, making it versatile to fit your preferences. Best of all, it’s a crowd-pleaser that satisfies both kids and adults alike!
Ingredients about Best Ramen Noodle Salad
To whip up this delightful Best Ramen Noodle Salad, you’ll need the following ingredients:
List of ingredients with measurements
- 2 packages (3 ounces each) chicken-flavored ramen noodles, broken into pieces (save the seasoning packets)
- 0.5 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 0.5 cup slivered almonds
- 1 package (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
How to Make Best Ramen Noodle Salad Directions
Making the Best Ramen Noodle Salad is a breeze! Follow these simple steps to create a delicious dish that’s sure to be a hit:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This temperature is perfect for toasting the ramen noodles and nuts, enhancing their flavors.
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the broken ramen noodles, sunflower seeds, and slivered almonds. Make sure to mix them well.
- Toast the Mixture: Spread the ramen, sunflower seeds, and almonds evenly on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they toast until they are fragrant and golden brown. Once done, take them out and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Combine Vegetables: While your noodle mixture is cooling, take the coleslaw mix and chopped green onions and add them to a large serving bowl. Toss them gently to combine.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, reserved ramen seasoning packets, white vinegar, sugar, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. This dressing brings everything together with its rich flavors.
- Combine Everything: Once your noodle mixture has cooled, sprinkle it over the coleslaw and green onion mixture. Pour the dressing over everything, and give it a good toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Serve Immediately: Your Best Ramen Noodle Salad is now ready to enjoy! It’s best served fresh, but you can also let it chill for a bit to enhance the flavors.
How to Serve Best Ramen Noodle Salad
Serving the Best Ramen Noodle Salad is as simple as it is enjoyable. You can serve it as a standalone dish or as a delightful side at barbecues, family dinners, or gatherings. Scoop generous portions into bowls and allow your guests to customize their servings with additional toppings like sesame seeds or extra green onions for that extra crunch. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish, making it a versatile addition to any meal. You can also enjoy this salad for lunch the next day, as the flavors develop beautifully over time.
Expert Tips: Best Ramen Noodle Salad
Here are some expert tips to elevate your Best Ramen Noodle Salad and make it even more enjoyable:
- Customize Ingredients: Feel free to personalize the salad by including your favorite veggies. Shredded carrots, bell peppers, or cucumbers work well. You can even toss in some cooked chicken or tofu for added protein.
- Toast for Extra Crunch: Make sure to toast your ramen noodles, sunflower seeds, and almonds in the oven to enhance their flavors. This step adds a lovely crunch to the salad.
- Chill the Dressing: For an even more refreshing taste, consider chilling the dressing before adding it to your salad. It makes the flavors pop!
- Serve Fresh: While this salad can be stored for later, it’s best eaten fresh for maximum crunchiness. If you’re making it ahead of time, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve.
- Experiment with Dressings: You can switch up the dressing if desired. For a creamier option, consider adding a little mayo or yogurt to the original dressing recipe.
How to Store Best Ramen Noodle Salad
To keep your Best Ramen Noodle Salad fresh, store it correctly. If you have leftovers, place the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It’s best to keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to enjoy it again to maintain the salad’s crispness. The salad should stay fresh for about 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat it, give it a good toss and add a splash of dressing to rejuvenate those flavors.
Variation of Best Ramen Noodle Salad
The Best Ramen Noodle Salad is highly versatile, allowing for plenty of variations to suit your taste:
- Add Protein: Incorporate cooked grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a more filling meal. This addition not only increases the protein content but also enhances the overall flavor.
- Use Different Nuts and Seeds: Instead of sunflower seeds and almonds, try using chopped walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds. Each nut will bring its unique flavor and texture to the salad.
- Experiment with Vegetables: Feel free to throw in other veggies like diced cucumbers, snap peas, or shredded carrots. They add colorful elements and extra nutrients.
- Try New Dressings: Change up the dressing by incorporating different flavors such as sesame oil or soy sauce. You could also try adding a hint of sriracha for a spicy kick.
- Make it a Noodle Bowl: Transform this salad into a noodle bowl by using different noodle types, such as soba or udon, and adding a light broth for a heartier meal.
FAQ
What is the Best Ramen Noodle Salad?
The Best Ramen Noodle Salad is a delicious combination of toasted ramen noodles, crunchy seeds, nuts, fresh coleslaw, and a zesty dressing, making it a delightful dish for gatherings and meal prep.
Can I make this salad in advance?
Yes, you can make the salad in advance. However, to maintain its crunchiness, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve.
What ingredients can I substitute in the Best Ramen Noodle Salad?
You can substitute chicken-flavored ramen with vegetarian or other flavored ramen. Additionally, feel free to swap out the nuts, seeds, and vegetables based on your preferences.
Is the Best Ramen Noodle Salad suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the salad can easily be made vegetarian by omitting any meat and using vegetable-flavored ramen.
How long does the Best Ramen Noodle Salad last in the fridge?
When stored in an airtight container, the salad can last about 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. For best results, keep the dressing separate until serving.
Best Ramen Noodle Salad
Ingredients
Noodle and Nuts Mixture
- 2 packages chicken-flavored ramen noodles, broken into pieces (save the seasoning packets)
- 0.5 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 0.5 cup slivered almonds
Vegetables
- 1 package 16 ounces coleslaw mix
- 3 pieces green onions, chopped
Dressing
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to toast the ramen noodles and nuts.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the broken ramen noodles, sunflower seeds, and slivered almonds.
- Spread the noodle and nut mixture evenly on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
- In a large serving bowl, combine coleslaw mix and chopped green onions; toss gently.
- Whisk together olive oil, reserved ramen seasoning packets, white vinegar, sugar, and black pepper in a separate bowl until smooth.
- Once the noodle mixture has cooled, add it to the coleslaw and green onion mixture. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat.
Serving
- Serve the salad immediately, or chill it for enhanced flavors. Enjoy it as is or with additional toppings like sesame seeds or extra green onions.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!