Wheat Free Fig & Kelp Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
Kelp noodles are the unsung hero of wheat-free cooking, and this vibrant salad puts them front and center in the most delicious way. A quick soak in warm water with a pinch of baking soda transforms them from stiff and glassy to wonderfully tender — no boiling, no gluten, no compromise. The dressing is built on coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, so you get that savory, umami depth without any wheat hiding in the bottle. Fresh figs bring a jammy sweetness that plays beautifully against the tang of apple cider vinegar and lime juice, while purple cabbage, cucumber, mint, and cilantro keep every bite bright and crunchy. The turmeric and ginger add a subtle warmth that ties the whole bowl together without overpowering the fresh ingredients. It's the kind of salad that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but comes together with minimal fuss — just soak, whisk, toss, and fold. Serve it right away for maximum crunch, or let it chill briefly and watch the flavors deepen even further.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 12 oz kelp noodles
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 8 fresh figs, quartered
- 2 cups purple cabbage, thinly shredded
- 1 english cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced (green parts only)
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the kelp noodles under cold water in a colander, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Fill the bowl with warm water, add the baking soda, and stir briefly to combine. Let the noodles soak for 15 minutes, until they soften from crunchy and stiff to pliable and tender.
- 2
While the noodles soak, whisk together the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, grated ginger, turmeric, sea salt, and lime juice in a small bowl until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is uniform.
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