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· 4.6 from 17 reviews

If you’re looking for a fresh, vibrant dish that’s as simple as it is delicious, you’re going to adore this Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe. It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with bright cilantro flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance. Plus, it’s super quick to whip up — perfect for those busy days when you crave something satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

🖤

Why This Recipe Works

Super Creamy Without Dairy: The cashews blend into this silky sauce that feels indulgent but keeps it vegan and light.
Bright, Fresh Flavors: Lime juice and cilantro give the noodles a refreshing zing that balances the creaminess perfectly.
Ready in a Snap: From start to finish, this dish takes less than 15 minutes, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners.
Easy to Customize: You can swap out the noodles or add your favorite veggies to make it your own.

Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles, vegan noodle recipes, healthy plant-based noodles, quick vegan dinners, cilantro lime pasta - 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 plays an important role, coming together to create something that’s creamy, tangy, and bright. When shopping, look for fresh cilantro and quality cashews to get the best flavor and texture.

Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles, vegan noodle recipes, healthy plant-based noodles, quick vegan dinners, cilantro lime pasta - 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: They’re the magic behind that creamy, dreamy sauce—soaking them softens them to blend perfectly.
Cilantro: Fresh and fragrant, cilantro adds that unmistakable herbaceous pop that livens up the noodles.
Water: Helps thin the sauce to just the right consistency without overpowering the flavors.
Garlic: Adds just the right hint of savory warmth to balance the bright lime.
Lime Zest & Juice: They pack in fresh citrus zing that brightens the creamy sauce.
Salt: Brings all those flavors together and enhances each note.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle kick and depth to the sauce.
Tofu Shirataki Spaghetti Noodles: These noodles are light, low-calorie, and have a wonderful texture that soaks up the cilantro lime sauce beautifully.

📝

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 love making this Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe my own depending on what I have in the fridge or what I’m craving. It’s crazy versatile, so don’t hesitate to add your favorite extras or swap ingredients to suit your taste.

Variation: Sometimes I toss in sautéed mushrooms or snap peas for some added texture — it turns this simple dish into a fuller meal.
Dietary Mods: If tofu shirataki noodles aren’t your thing, thin rice noodles work wonderfully, and they give a slightly different but still delicious bite.
Make It Spicy: A pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce wakes everything up with just a little heat.

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

Step 1: Blend up your creamy cilantro lime sauce

Start by gathering your soaked (or boiled) cashews, fresh cilantro, water, garlic, lime zest and juice, salt, and pepper. Toss everything into your blender and pulse until super smooth and creamy. The key here is to blend long enough so no cashew bits remain — if your blender isn’t super powerful, soaking the cashews overnight really helps achieve that silky texture.

Step 2: Prepare your noodles

Cook the tofu shirataki noodles according to the package directions — typically just rinsing and simmering for a few minutes is enough. Drain well to avoid watery noodles, then return them to the pot so they’re ready to mix.

Step 3: Toss noodles with sauce and warm through

Pour your creamy cilantro lime sauce over the noodles and toss gently to coat every strand. Turn the heat to low and warm the noodles for 1-2 minutes — this helps the sauce thicken slightly and cling to the noodles without drying out. Give it a taste and adjust salt or lime if you want a little more zing!

💡

Tips from My Kitchen

Soaking Cashews Makes a Difference: I used to skip the soak and struggled with gritty sauces until I soaked my cashews for 6+ hours — it makes the difference between chunky and perfectly smooth.
Rinse Shirataki Noodles Thoroughly: Shirataki noodles have a unique smell when first opened, so rinsing them well under hot water eliminates that and ensures a clean flavor.
Adjust Lime to Taste: Personally, I love a punchier lime flavor so I sometimes add extra juice or zest after stirring the sauce in, depending on how tangy I want it.
Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Keep it light and gentle — overcooking shirataki noodles can make them rubbery, so just warm them with the sauce briefly before serving.

How to Serve Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe

Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles, vegan noodle recipes, healthy plant-based noodles, quick vegan dinners, cilantro lime pasta - 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 topping this dish with extra fresh cilantro to amp up the herbaceous notes, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for crunch, and a wedge of lime on the side to squeeze on just before eating. Sometimes, a handful of chopped green onions adds a nice bite and color contrast.

Side Dishes

Usually, I pair these noodles with simple roasted veggies, like sweet potatoes or asparagus, or a crunchy cucumber salad on the side. If you’re feeling extra hungry, some pan-fried tofu cubes or tempeh work perfectly as a protein boost.

Creative Ways to Present

For casual dinner parties, I’ve served the noodles in individual bowls topped with edible flowers and chopped peanuts for a festive look. Another splurge is layering the noodles on a bed of mixed greens, turning it into a salad bowl that’s as pretty as it is tasty.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it chills, so I usually add a splash of water and toss the noodles again when reheating to bring back that saucy goodness.

Freezing

Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing the whole dish because the noodles can get mushy after thawing. However, you can freeze the sauce separately — just thaw and blend it again if needed, then toss with fresh noodles.

Reheating

The best way to reheat these noodles is gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a bit of water or plant milk to loosen the sauce while warming, stirring frequently until everything is heated through evenly.

FAQs

Can I use other types of noodles in the Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe?

Absolutely! While tofu shirataki noodles are low-calorie and soak up the sauce beautifully, thin rice noodles or even whole wheat spaghetti can be great substitutes depending on your preference.
Do I have to soak the cashews overnight?

If you have a high-speed blender, like a Vitamix or Blendtec, you can usually skip the soaking and just blend until smooth. Otherwise, soaking or boiling the cashews softens them enough for a creamy sauce without strain.
How long does this Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, leftovers stay good for up to 3 days. Just reheat gently and add a splash of water if the sauce thickened too much.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! The tofu shirataki noodles are naturally gluten-free, making this recipe safe for those avoiding gluten.
Can I add protein to this dish?

Definitely. Grilled tofu, chickpeas, or even some edamame tossed on top make excellent protein additions that still keep it vegan and nutritious.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to meals — it’s quick, refreshing, and endlessly satisfying. Every time I make it, I marvel at how such simple ingredients come together so beautifully. If you give it a try, I think you’ll love how effortless and flavorful it is. Trust me, this one’s a keeper!

Vegan Cilantro Lime Noodles Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 17 reviews

Author: Lily
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Vegan
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and easy creamy vegan cilantro lime noodles recipe featuring a smooth cashew-based sauce combined with tangy lime and fresh cilantro, served with tofu shirataki spaghetti for a light and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Sauce 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

Noodles

2 packages Tofu Shirataki Spaghetti Shaped Noodles (or substitute thin rice noodles)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the sauce: Add the soaked or boiled cashews, cilantro, water, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, salt, and black pepper to a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Cook the noodles: Cook the Tofu Shirataki noodles according to the package directions, then drain thoroughly and return them to the pot.
Combine and heat: Pour the cilantro lime sauce over the cooked noodles and toss to combine. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and everything is heated through.
Serve: Transfer to plates or bowls and enjoy your creamy vegan cilantro lime noodles immediately.

Notes

If you do not have a high-speed blender (such as Blendtec or Vitamix), soak cashews in water for 6 hours or overnight, then drain before use to soften them.
Alternatively, boil cashews in water for 10 to 15 minutes until very tender, then drain before blending.
You can substitute tofu shirataki noodles with thin rice noodles if preferred.
Adjust salt and lime juice to taste for extra tanginess or seasoning.