This Ginger Citrus Soba & Snow Peas dish is a vibrant celebration of fresh, zesty flavors and satisfying textures. The nutty soba noodles pair perfectly with crisp snow peas, creating a delightful contrast in every bite. A tangy ginger-citrus dressing ties it all together, offering a refreshing burst of brightness that’s both light and invigorating. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick yet impressive meal that feels like a treat for your taste buds.
Packed with wholesome ingredients, this recipe is as nourishing as it is delicious. The earthy soba, crunchy peas, and zingy dressing create a harmonious balance that’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner. With its bright, citrusy notes and subtle warmth from ginger, it’s a dish that awakens the senses and leaves you feeling energized. Simple to make yet full of depth, it’s a go-to recipe for busy days or when you’re craving something fresh and flavorful.
What You’ll Need
- 4 ounces soba noodles (use 100% buckwheat soba for gluten-free, or your preferred type)
- 1 cup snow peas (trimmed and strings peeled off)
- 1 cup edamame (frozen is fine; thaw before using)
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- Olive oil (for the pan)
- Extra orange & lime wedges (for squeezing at the end)
- A few teaspoons sesame seeds (for garnish)
- For the sauce:
- Juice from ½ orange (about ¼ cup)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
- ½ teaspoon sriracha (add more for extra spice)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
How to Make It
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk together orange juice, lime juice, tamari, sriracha, toasted sesame oil, and minced ginger in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook the noodles: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add soba noodles and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Stir-fry the snow peas: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot (a snow pea should sizzle when added), toss in the snow peas with a pinch of salt. Stir-fry for a few minutes until tender and slightly charred. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce the sauce: Turn off the heat and let the skillet cool slightly. Pour the sauce into the warm pan (stand back—it may smoke a little). Let it bubble gently, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes, until slightly syrupy. If the pan cools too much, turn the heat to low.
- Combine everything: Add the cooked noodles, snow peas, and edamame to the skillet. Stir to coat everything in the sauce. Squeeze in extra lime juice and cook for a few more minutes.
- Adjust to taste: Taste and add more tamari, orange or lime juice, or sriracha if desired.
- Serve: Drizzle with toasted sesame oil, sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds, and serve with extra orange and lime wedges on the side.
Sauce & Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Dish
For a richer flavor, try adding a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to the sauce for a touch of sweetness. If you love a nutty crunch, sprinkle crushed peanuts or cashews on top instead of sesame seeds. For a creamier twist, mix in a tablespoon of tahini or peanut butter into the sauce before reducing it.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with a side of steamed bok choy or a simple cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast. For a heartier meal, add grilled tofu or shrimp. Serve with extra lime wedges and a sprinkle of chili flakes for those who enjoy a zesty kick.
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Cooks
Prep your snow peas and edamame ahead of time to save minutes during cooking. Use pre-minced ginger from a jar to skip the chopping step. If you’re in a rush, cook the soba noodles while stir-frying the snow peas to multitask efficiently.
Storage & Reheating Made Easy
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to the pan to loosen the sauce and prevent drying out. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the noodles mushy.
Recipe Variations to Keep It Fresh
Swap soba noodles for rice noodles or zucchini noodles for a gluten-free or low-carb option. Replace snow peas with snap peas or broccoli for a different veggie twist. For a protein boost, add shredded chicken or crispy tofu to the mix.
Ginger Citrus Soba & Snow Peas
Ingredients
- 4 ounces soba noodles (100% buckwheat soba if gluten free. If not I prefer this kind.)
- 1 cup snow peas (trim & peel the string off the side)
- 1 cup edamame (frozen is ok, thaw before using)
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- olive oil, for the pan
- extra orange & lime wedges to squeeze in at the end
- a few teaspoons sesame seeds, for garnish
sauce
- ½ orange juice from approximately ½ of an orange (about ¼ cup)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
- ½ teaspoon sriracha (more if you like it spicier)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
Instructions
- Whisk sauce ingredients together.
- Cook noodles in boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes.
- While the noodles are cooking, heat a large skillet with just a bit of olive oil.
- Once the pan is hot, (the first snow pea should sizzle when it hits), add snow peas and a pinch of salt, stir fry for few minutes, until tender and they get a slight char on both sides.
- Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Turn off the heat and let the pan cool down for a few minutes.
- While the (same) pan is off but still a little hot, (stand back, it might smoke a little) and pour in the sauce.
- Let it bubble just a little bit.
- Stir continuously as it thickens, about 2-3 minutes. (turn the heat back on to low if the pan has cooled too much).
- The sauce should reduce and become slightly syrup-ey. Don’t let it burn or reduce too much.
- Add the noodles, snow peas and edamame to the pan.
- Stir to mix everything together with the sauce.
- Add a good squeeze of lime, and cook a few minutes more.
- Taste & adjust. If necessary, add more soy sauce, another squeeze of orange or lime, perhaps more sriracha if you want more heat.
- Top with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, scallions & sesame seeds.