Name: Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews, soaked or boiled if not using a high-speed blender; ½ cup packed cilantro (about 1 small handful); ¾ cup water; 2 cloves garlic; 1 lime, zested and juiced; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 packages Tofu Shirataki Spaghetti Shaped Noodles (or substitute thin rice noodles)

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 26 reviews

If you’re craving something fresh, creamy, and packed with zesty flavor, you’ve got to try this Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe. It’s super quick to whip up, uses simple ingredients, and is one of those dishes that feels light but satisfying all at once. Plus, it’s perfect for when you want a vibrant meal that doesn’t weigh you down—trust me, these noodles quickly became a staple in my weeknight rotation!

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Why This Recipe Works

Super Creamy Sauce: The cashew-based blend makes the sauce rich and silky without any dairy.
Bright, Fresh Flavors: Cilantro and lime bring a lively zing that keeps this dish refreshing.
Minimal Ingredients & Quick Prep: Perfect for busy days when you want something delicious without fuss.
Versatile & Easily Adaptable: You can swap noodles or add veggies—makes this recipe your own every time.

Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles, vegan noodle recipes, healthy vegan pasta, easy vegan dinner ideas, fresh plant-based meals - Inside a shiny silver pot placed on a white marbled surface, there is a mass of noodles covered in a thick, light green sauce. The sauce is creamy and clings to the noodles, giving them a smooth texture. A silver tong is partially dipped into the noodles on the right side of the pot, with a bit of sauce stuck on the tong. The noodles have a slightly twisted shape and fill most of the pot inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe shines on its own and together they create that magical balance of creamy, tangy, and herbaceous. Plus, the ingredients are super easy to find, and I’m sharing my best tips so you get the most out of each one.

Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles, vegan noodle recipes, healthy vegan pasta, easy vegan dinner ideas, fresh plant-based meals - Flat lay of raw cashews in a small pile, a small handful of bright green cilantro sprigs, two whole uncracked garlic cloves, a whole fresh lime with one half cut to show the juicy interior and scattered lime zest, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear water, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse salt, a small white ceramic bowl with cracked black peppercorns, and a neat bundle of tofu shirataki spaghetti shaped noodles, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Raw cashews: These are the star for that luscious creaminess—if you don’t have a super powerful blender, soak or boil them first for smooth blending.
Cilantro: I love the fresh brightness it adds; make sure it’s fresh and packed for maximum flavor.
Water: It thins the sauce to just the right consistency, so it coats the noodles without being soupy.
Garlic: Adds warmth and depth—a couple cloves are enough to give a gentle kick without overpowering.
Lime zest & juice: This is where the magic happens. The zest gives that citrus oil punch, and the juice balances the creaminess with a tang.
Salt & black pepper: Simple but essential for rounding out flavors.
Tofu Shirataki noodles: These noodles soak up the sauce nicely and are a perfect low-calorie option, but you can swap with thin rice noodles if preferred.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like keeping this Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe simple, but I also enjoy swapping in my favorite extras or adjusting it to fit different moods. Feel free to make it your own—sometimes a little customization makes it taste even better!

Variation: One of my fave tweaks is stirring in roasted corn or grilled veggies for a bit more color and texture; it’s great if you want a more filling meal.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a few drops of hot sauce if you like some heat—it balances the creamy sauce beautifully.
Herb swaps: While cilantro is classic here, basil or mint can also add a unique fresh twist depending on what you have on hand.
No Shirataki noodles? No problem. Thin rice noodles or even spaghetti tossed in the sauce work just as well.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe

Step 1: Blend That Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce

Start with your cashews—if you don’t have a powerful blender, soak them overnight or boil them until tender (about 10–15 minutes). Then toss the cashews, fresh cilantro, water, garlic cloves, fresh lime zest and juice, salt, and black pepper into your blender. Blend everything until it’s super smooth and creamy. This sauce literally takes minutes, and you’ll notice how the lime zest just wakes it up.

Step 2: Prepare Your Noodles

While you’re blending the sauce, start cooking your tofu shirataki noodles according to package directions — usually rinsing and boiling them briefly. Once cooked, drain and return the noodles to the pot. This step is key; shirataki noodles can have a slight aroma when not rinsed well, so give them a good rinse at the start.

Step 3: Toss & Heat

Pour that gorgeous cilantro lime sauce over the hot noodles and toss gently to coat every strand. Turn the heat to low and let the noodles cook for another 1-2 minutes. This thickens the sauce up a bit and lets all those flavors marry beautifully. Your kitchen will smell amazing by this point—trust me!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Soften Those Cashews: I learned soaking cashews overnight makes the sauce ultra smooth, especially if you don’t have a high-speed blender.
Rinse Shirataki Well: This step really helps remove the natural aroma and gives you a more neutral base that’s ready to soak up sauce.
Brighten with Fresh Lime Zest: Adding zest along with juice keeps the lime flavor vibrant and fresh, boosting that citrus punch.
Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Just a quick toss in the sauce keeps the noodles tender but firm, avoiding that mushy texture.

How to Serve Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe

Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles, vegan noodle recipes, healthy vegan pasta, easy vegan dinner ideas, fresh plant-based meals - This image shows a white bowl filled with creamy green noodles, with about two layers of noodles visible, all coated evenly in a thick, smooth green sauce. On top of the noodles, there is a single thin slice of lime placed near the center, with bits of black pepper sprinkled across the noodles. Next to the lime slice, a small bunch of fresh green cilantro leaves rests gently. A silver fork is placed on the right edge of the bowl, partly inserted into the noodles. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of extra chopped cilantro and a few toasted pumpkin seeds or sliced almonds for crunch. A little drizzle of chili oil or a dash of red pepper flakes can be wonderful too if you want a bit of heat. The contrast in textures and flavors really takes things up a notch.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or some quick roasted vegetables. I often serve it alongside grilled or steamed asparagus, or even a spoonful of black beans if I want to add some more protein and warmth.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun dinner party, I like serving the noodles in small bowls topped with edible flowers and vibrant microgreens to make it feel special and fresh. Wrapping the noodles in lettuce leaves as wraps is another playful way to enjoy them—super fresh and hand-held!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Since the noodles soak up the sauce over time, I keep a splash of water or plant milk nearby to loosen it back up when reheating. It still tastes fresh, just with a bit more mellowed flavor.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my go-to for this recipe because the creamy sauce can separate a bit. But if you do freeze it, thaw overnight in the fridge and stir vigorously before reheating to bring back the creaminess as much as possible.

Reheating

I prefer reheating gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. The stovetop keeps the noodles from getting gummy like the microwave sometimes causes. Plus, it’s easiest to toss gently and keep everything coated evenly.

FAQs

Can I make this Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe nut-free?

Absolutely! If you have a nut allergy or just prefer to avoid cashews, you can try substituting soaked sunflower seeds or silken tofu for the creamy base. It won’t be quite as rich, but it’s still delicious and creamy enough to carry the bright cilantro lime flavor.
What if I don’t have shirataki noodles?

No worries! Thin rice noodles or even whole wheat pasta can be used instead. Just cook them according to package instructions and toss with the sauce when still warm for best results.
How long does this dish take to make?

It’s super fast! From start to finish, you’re looking at about 15 minutes, including blending the sauce and cooking the noodles. Perfect for nights when you want something quick but still incredibly tasty.
Can I add vegetables to this noodle dish?

For sure! I love tossing in steamed broccoli, snap peas, or roasted cherry tomatoes. Just add them to your noodles before coating with the sauce for an extra pop of color and nutrition.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe quickly became one of my favorite easy dinner fixes because it’s fresh, bright, and decadently creamy without any dairy. It’s the kind of recipe I always keep in my back pocket for busy nights or when I need a little pick-me-up in bowl form. I’m really excited for you to try it—you’ll appreciate how fast it comes together and how satisfying those flavors are. Give it a shot, and I promise it’ll be a new favorite in your kitchen too!