Vegan Asian Carrot Noodles with Tahini Sauce make for the ultimate meatless gluten free dinner. Crunchy carrots, crisp lettuce, soft noodles all enveloped in a creamy sesame oil infused Asian tahini sauce. Ready in 20 minutes or less!
Whenever I think of carrots my mind always wanders to this guy Gil, who D and I met while on the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike in China. He was a short and small Israeli with a distinct accent in English and when our big group sat down to lunch on the first day he so elaborately and ridiculously was describing his utter disdain for carrots that the whole table was in an uproar of laughter.
So that was Gil with this loathing of carrots. At the time I found the statement to be absurd. I mean who feels that strongly about carrots?
I mean probably one of the most harmless veggies ever right?
Well over the years I seem to have been inching closer and closer to his way of thinking. I don’t know what happened but all of a sudden I stopped liking carrots. They just stopped appealing to me. I would literally eat around them and leave them on my plate – I mean this is an unheard of behavior for me.
But then randomly I spotted a carrot focused recipe on the Naturally Ella blog and I decided it was time to give carrots another chance. If there was ever a recipe where they could redeem themselves in my mind it was right here at carrot noodles
This was their last chance.
How’d they do? They have officially secured themselves a spot back in my life.
Maybe they just need to be served peeled in long ribbon strands all the time. So YES to carrot noodles! This might just be when they are at their best. This vegan Asian carrot noodles recipe is simply perfect. Ready in under 20 (yes that is twenty) minutes all you need to cook are the mung bean (or rice) noodles which literally take 60 seconds. Everything else just gets peeled, chopped, whisked, mixed. The sauce is incredible. I was so happy to have spotted the last bottle of tahini of the shelves of our small Costa Rican village grocery store. Better than peanut butter, tahini makes a creamy base to be infused with other Asian style ingredients – tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce.
Just imagine crunchy carrots, crisp lettuce, soft noodles all coated in a super creamy salty, spicy, sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, almonds, and cilantro for a finishing touch.
If you love these carrot noodles be sure to check out my Vegan Asian sesame noodles with cucumbers and herbs
How to make vegan Asian carrot noodles
Vegan Asian Carrot Noodles with Carrots and Tahini Sauce make for the ultimate meatless gluten free dinner. Crunchy carrots, crisp lettuce, soft noodles all enveloped in a creamy sesame oil infused Asian tahini sauce.
- 4 ounces thin mung bean noodles or thin rice noodles, cooked according to package directions
- 2 carrots in thin strips using a vegetable peeled
- 1 head butter lettuce finely sliced
- 1 handful cilantro chopped
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- 4 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
- For the sauce:
- 4 and 1/2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons tamari
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce sambal oleok
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil toasted
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons water
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In a bowl combine all the sauce ingredients. Mix until smooth.
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Once noodles are cooked, rinse and drain them in cold water.
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In a large bowl combine noodles, carrots and lettuce. Toss until mixed.
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Serve noodle veggie mix topped with cilantro, tahini sauce, sesame seeds and almonds.
Recipe Adapted From Naturally Ella
Clyde says
Perfect! This looks healthy and delicious. The pictures are mouth watering.
Vicky says
Aww thanks so much Clyde!
Stella @ Stellicious Life says
Yum, this looks delicious! Love the addition of tahini sauce, it goes really well with the noodles and vegetables. Have a nice weekend!
Vicky says
Tahini sauce is the best – y new favorite sauce : )
The Veganista Foodie says
This looks like an awesome healthy meal. I love how colorful it is. Yum.
Vicky says
Thanks! Definitely bright and vibrant : )
Kathryn With Going Zero Waste says
This looks amazing!! I want to eat this so bad right now! I am still looking for tahini in bulk, but I’m sure I’ll find it soon. I’ve been a fickle carrot eater, but I love it in sauces and soups! When I lived in Austria I went over to a friends house for dinner and they were serving carrot soup. Which I thought sounded disgusting. It was the best thing I’ve ever had. I’m still on the search for the recipe. I’ll find it one of these days!
Vicky says
Let me know if you ever find the recipe as I would love to try that as well! : ))
footnotes and finds says
Yum! i have found myself wandering over to your blog quite a lot lately! such fun creative recipes for vegetarians like me!
http://www.footnotesandfinds.com
Vicky says
So glad you’ve been enjoying the meatless options on here ! :))
Beverley @ sweaty&fit says
I have the same feelings about carrots, but whenever i put them in an Asian inspired salad – they light up my day! that sauce sounds amazing
Vicky says
Thanks! The sauce is sooo creamy and flavorful — my new favorite!
rachel @ atheltic avocado says
gotta love all of these asian style flavors in the amazing dish! pinned 🙂
Vicky says
Right?! I know I do! Thanks for pinning : ))
Evi says
I love how bright and vibrant this dish looks! It looks super yummy!
Vicky says
Thanks! I love bright and vibrant colored dishes – makes me feel even healthier when eating them!
Chrystal | YUM eating says
I am going to have to show this recipe to my husband. It looks amazing, but he’s the Asian chef in the house. He does a lot better job than I with these dishes.
Vicky says
Haha that’s interesting that you guys have split the cuisines up! Which ones are you responsible for? : )
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple says
Oooh yum! This looks so light and refreshing!
Vicky says
Definitely super light and refreshing!
Manju | Cooking Curies says
this looks really delicious and I know I will not feel bad even if i ate a whole lot of it, as it sounds really light and healthy!
Vicky says
You will not feel bad at all!
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says
I love the vegan noodles. It makes for such a heartier dish.
Vicky says
I love rice noodles and mung bean noodles and I’m pretty sure the mung bean noodles are even healthier!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
This looks delicious! I love carrots and this is a great way to use them. And butter lettuce is the best! 🙂
Vicky says
Butter lettuce IS the best! : ))
Alexandra @ My Urban Family says
This looks delicious! 🙂
Vicky says
Thanks so much! One of my new favorite meals : )
Christine | Vermilion Roots says
I’m glad to see a recipe using mung bean noodles. I know I will love this!
Vicky says
They’re so good right! Hope you enjoy this dish if you get around to making it : ))
Michele says
This looks healthy and like it would taste really great! Any suggestions on where to purchase Mung bean noodles?
Vicky says
Thanks! Try looking in a regular grocery store – I have been able to find them at Wegman’s, Roche Brothers, etc. They could be called cellophane noodles as well. Or really a thin rice noodles works here too!
Regina says
Asian noodles are the best! Love this pairing with tahini
Vicky says
Aren’t they? Currently obsessed with tahini!
Mary says
The flavors here sound so bright and fresh! I love this idea.
Vicky says
Thank so much!
Karolina says
Great recipe! Right up my alley as I love asian noodles!
Vicky says
Thanks! If you love Asian noodles you’ll definitely love this dish : ))
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
I love a big bowl of noodles and veggies. Can’t wait to try this and that sauce!
Vicky says
Me too : ) Thanks!
Ashleigh says
Wonderful recipe, thank you for sharing! I know my family would love it!!
Vicky says
Let me know how they like it if you end up making it!!
Kerri McGrail says
Oh this looks so tasty! I love rice noodles and carrots so this is right up my alley! Though I think I would add even more vegetables to it like onion, bell pepper, and broccoli bc I am just a veg-head 🙂
Vicky says
Great idea to add more veggies. I think the crunch of flavor of broccoli would be perfect in this dish. I toyed with the idea of adding more veggies but then decided to keep it simpler.
Mary @ StrawmarySmith says
Hey Vicky,
These noodles look so good! I love the creative use of tahini here. Can’t wait to try it!
Vicky says
Tahini is the best : ))
Levan @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
Absolutely STUNNING – and VEGAN too! Right up my alley, especially with the tahini sauce. Five stars!
Vicky says
Thanks so much!!
Anita says
beatiful combination its very good i have question from we get mung noodles help me thanks Anitya
Vicky says
I found mung noodles at my Asian grocery store, but you may be able to find it in the specialty aisle at stores like Whole Foods too. If you cannot find them feel free to use thin rice noodles instead.