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–+ servings
Spicy tofu noodle salad with carrot and cucumber on a blue plate
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5 from 2 votes

Spicy tofu noodle salad with carrot + cucumber

This tofu noodle salad provides a low-carb alternative to pasta. You'll love the salad dressing made with garlic and apple cider vinegar. Coupled with Lao Gan ma chili sauce, this refreshing salad is addictive! This recipe includes the salad variation using block tofu.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Anna&Alex, Chinese
Keyword: 10 ingredients or less, 5-minute recipe, fall, family-friendly, gluten-free, stir-fry
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 210kcal
Author: Anna Rider
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping Board
  • Grater
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Sieve
  • Garlic Press
  • Spatula

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. Tofu Tofu noodles from your Asian grocery store or super-firm block tofu
  • 2 medium Carrots Washed
  • 6 small Cucumbers Persian cucumbers are ideal. If using English cucumbers, use half as many because they are longer.
  • 3 sprigs cilantro optional

Dressing

  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar Or rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar Add to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Add to taste
  • 2 teaspoons Soy Sauce Light soy sauce, avoid dark soy sauce. Add to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon Lao Gan Ma chili sauce Find it in your local Asian grocery store.
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Gather the ingredients.
    Ingredients for making spicy tofu salad with cucumber and carrot

Prepare carrot and cucumber

  • Using a mandolin, thinly slice the cucumber. If you don't have a mandolin, you can finely slice with a sharp chef's knife.
  • Grate or julienne the carrot and combine with the sliced cucumber.
  • Finely slice the cilantro if using.

Salad Dressing

  • Finely mince the garlic. It's easiest to use a garlic press. If you don't have a garlic press, you can run your chef's knife over the garlic multiple times for a fine mince.
  • Add the apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the minced garlic.

Prepare the tofu noodles

  • Boil water in a kettle for efficiency. 
  • Pour the boiling water over the tofu noodles in a heat-proof bowl. Stir the tofu noodles. Drain the water.

Assemble the salad

  • Add the salad dressing to the tofu noodles. 
  • Assemble the carrot and cucumber over the tofu noodles.
  • Make a well in the middle of the carrot and cucumber. Place the sliced cilantro in the well. 
  • Top with a tablespoon of Lao Gan Ma.
  • Mix the salad well to evenly coat the tofu noodles and distribute the cilantro before serving. 
    A collage of 12 images showing how to make tofu salad with cucumbers and carrots
  • Enjoy your tofu noodle salad!

Video

Notes

You can find tofu noodles at your local Asian grocery store. 
If you don't have access to this tofu, substitute with a sheet of tofu sliced into thin slices.
And if you can't find a sheet of dry, pressed tofu then you can make a variation on this tofu noodle salad with block tofu.
If you don't mind a higher carb salad, you could also use wheat noodles like thick Chinese wheat noodles or spaghetti. Check out the Garlic Cucumber Noodle Salad recipe for inspiration.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1760mg | Potassium: 1189mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 10808IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 4mg