Meet your new cookout classic: the Best Ramen Noodle Salad! This lively salad is loaded with crisp coleslaw, toasty ramen noodles, sunflower seeds, and a tangy dressing that’s as addictive as it is simple. Every bite is crunchy, savory, and just a little sweet—a total crowd-pleaser for potlucks or an easy weeknight dinner side.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Epic Crunch Factor: Toasted ramen noodles and nuts bring restaurant-quality texture to every forkful.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Whip it up in advance for a stress-free gathering or weekly meal prep.
- Simple With Big Flavor: Pantry staples and a quick homemade dressing transform humble ingredients into something memorable.
- Always Party Approved: The Best Ramen Noodle Salad never fails to impress at potlucks, BBQs, and picnics.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this salad couldn’t be easier. Each item brings a special note—crunch, color, or flavor—to create a salad that’s much more than the sum of its parts. Here’s why every ingredient matters:
- Chicken-flavored ramen noodles (2 packs, 3 ounces each): The signature crunch! Use the noodles broken into bits and reserve the seasoning packets for the dressing.
- Raw sunflower seeds (½ cup): Delivers a nutty, earthy undertone and even more crunch.
- Slivered almonds (½ cup): Slices of almond add delicate, toasty flavor after baking.
- Coleslaw mix (16 ounces): No need to shred cabbage—this mix brings instant freshness and color.
- Green onions (3, chopped): For zesty contrast and a pop of green in every bite.
- Olive oil (½ cup): Forms the base of your rich, savory dressing.
- White vinegar (3 tablespoons): Adds brightness and balances the richness.
- White sugar (1 tablespoon): Just the right touch to round out the tang.
- Ground black pepper (½ teaspoon): For the ideal little kick.
- Reserved ramen seasoning packets: The flavor bomb that brings the whole dish together.
Variations
The Best Ramen Noodle Salad invites creativity! Swap, add, or skip according to what’s in your kitchen or your cravings—these easy tweaks make it effortlessly customizable for everyone.
- Switch up the nuts: Try chopped cashews or pecans instead of almonds for a different flavor profile.
- Add fresh veggies: Toss in shredded carrots, sliced bell peppers, or even edamame for more color and crunch.
- Make it vegan: Use vegetable ramen or skip the seasoning packets for your favorite plant-based spice blend.
- Go gluten-free: Substitute gluten-free instant noodles to keep all the crunch, just none of the gluten.
How to Make Best Ramen Noodle Salad
Step 1: Toast the Noodles, Seeds, and Nuts
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Break the ramen noodles into bite-size pieces and spread them out on a baking sheet, along with the raw sunflower seeds and slivered almonds. Toast everything for 10–15 minutes, giving the tray a stir halfway. They should turn beautifully golden and smell nutty—don’t walk away; this step unlocks the salad’s secret flavor power!
Step 2: Mix the Slaw & Onions
While your crunchy bits cool, toss together the coleslaw mix and chopped green onions in your biggest salad bowl. This colorful combo is the vibrant, refreshing heart of the Best Ramen Noodle Salad.
Step 3: Whisk Up the Dressing
In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk together the olive oil, both ramen seasoning packets, white vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. The mixture should look emulsified and smell irresistible—the perfect balance of savory, tang, and a little sweetness.
Step 4: Toss & Serve
Add your golden, crunchy noodle mixture atop the coleslaw and onions, then pour the dressing over everything. Toss thoroughly so each strand of cabbage and every nutty fragment gets a glossy coat. Serve right away for maximum crunch, or let it chill: it’s equally fabulous either way!
Pro Tips for Making Best Ramen Noodle Salad
- Noodle Toasting Genius: Watch those noodles closely—they go from golden to burnt quickly! Give them a gentle stir halfway through to ensure even toasting.
- Max Crunch Timing: For the ultimate crunch, combine the noodle mixture and dressing right before serving. If you love a more marinated texture, let it sit up to an hour.
- Dressing Customization: Taste as you whisk! If you like it tangier, add a touch more vinegar; if you crave sweet, add another pinch of sugar.
- Party-Size Shortcut: Double the recipe for a big group and serve from a giant mixing bowl—this salad always disappears in a flash!
How to Serve Best Ramen Noodle Salad
Garnishes
Finish your Best Ramen Noodle Salad with a sprinkle of extra sliced scallions, a handful of sesame seeds, or even a drizzle of sriracha for a subtle heat. These simple finishes add punchy color and irresistible flavor right before serving.
Side Dishes
This salad shines as a side with grilled chicken, burgers, or Asian-inspired main dishes like teriyaki salmon. It’s also perfect alongside veggie spring rolls or as a vibrant addition to any buffet table.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the salad in colorful bowls, mason jars for picnics, or pile it onto a platter lined with butter lettuce leaves for a dramatic touch. For parties, offer it in single-serve cups—everyone loves the personal-size crunch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The noodles will soften as they soak up the dressing, but the flavors deepen—it’s delicious either way!
Freezing
This salad isn’t ideal for freezing, as the fresh slaw and noodles lose their crunch when thawed. For best results, keep it fresh and refrigerated.
Reheating
No reheating needed here—enjoy the Best Ramen Noodle Salad cold or at room temperature! If you want to refresh the texture, toss in a handful of new toasted noodles right before serving leftovers.
FAQs
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Can I make Best Ramen Noodle Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can toast the noodles, sunflower seeds, and almonds days in advance and keep them in an airtight container. Mix everything together with the dressing right before serving to maintain maximum crunch.
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Is there a way to make this salad healthier?
You can use a little less oil, add more fresh veggies like shredded carrots or kale, and opt for whole wheat or low-sodium ramen noodles to make it lighter while keeping that famous flavor.
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Can I use another type of noodle?
Of course! While the crunchy ramen is classic, other instant noodle brands or even rice noodles (baked until crisp) work too. Just make sure they’re cooked or toasted for texture.
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What if I can’t find coleslaw mix?
No worries! Shred green and red cabbage by hand and toss in a few grated carrots for that fresh, vibrant bite found in the traditional coleslaw mix.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dish that’s quick, satisfying, and always popular, the Best Ramen Noodle Salad checks every box. It’s as easy as it is irresistible, and I guarantee you’ll reach for this recipe again and again. Give it a try—you’ll soon see why it’s the dish everyone asks for at every gathering!
Print
Best Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking, Tossing
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Best Ramen Noodle Salad is a delightful combination of crunchy ramen noodles, nuts, and coleslaw mix tossed in a tangy dressing. It’s a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will please your taste buds.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2 (3 ounce) packages chicken-flavored ramen noodles, broken into pieces, seasoning packets reserved
- 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1 (16 ounce) package coleslaw mix
- 3 green onions, chopped
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Prepare the Noodle Mixture: Spread ramen noodles, sunflower seeds, and almonds on a baking sheet. Bake until fragrant and toasted, about 10-15 minutes. Let cool.
- Assemble the Salad: Combine coleslaw mix and green onions in a large bowl. Sprinkle the cooled noodle mixture over the top.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, reserved ramen seasoning packets, vinegar, sugar, and black pepper until smooth.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss to coat. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
