Have you ever tasted kelp noodles? They’re delicious! Lately, I’ve been eating my fair share of this tasty low-carb noodle. They’re my new favorite food. We eat these gluten-free noodles several nights a week with dinner. They’re the perfect paleo pasta.
What are kelp noodles? They’re simply noodles made from seaweed. These paleo noodles have changed my life because they’re incredible in Asian dishes, which are a favorite of mine. Here’s how to prepare kelp noodles!
Kelp Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 package kelp noodles
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
Instructions
- Using a strainer, thoroughly rinse noodles
- Place noodles in a medium bowl
- Fill with warm water, lemon juice, and salt
- Let stand for 30 minutes
- Rinse and strain
- Serve
Equipment
Kelp noodles have a slightly crunchy texture that is different than that of traditional pasta. The soaking preparation method above will make the noodles far less crunchy. The lemon juice and salt do a wonderful job in softening the noodles so that they have an incredibly palatable texture.
My favorite way to serve this seaweed based noodle is in my low-carb Sesame Noodles recipe, a Chinese take-out style dish just like the kind we used to eat before I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1998. Those were the days when I lived in New York City, stayed up all hours of the night working, and ate loads of Chinese food!
Here are some of my paleo condiment recipes that are delicious served over kelp noodles:
Sherry Osadchey says
I LOVE kelp noodles, too! I love having them in salads, with hot dishes but not cooked in the dish. I cook or warm the other food and then put it over my kelp noodles. I first learned of them from Ani Phyo’s blog. A great addition to the pantry. Ani is a raw chef….but I do a combination of paleo, raw, and just Sherry :-).
Elana says
Thanks Sherry!
Diane says
I first learned of kelp noodles when we tried a raw food restaurant in Santa Monica CA called “Planet Raw”. It was knock-your-socks-off amazing and the noodles were not crunchy at all so I’m not sure how they prepared them but the pasta dish was really truly delicious (frankly, everything we had there was delicious). Thanks for reminding me of these, I have never bought and prepared them but I’ll try now!
Elana says
Diane, you’re welcome!
Jodi says
I LOVE these noodles. They’re great for using up leftovers too…. throw some leftover chicken or fish, veggies & some kind of sauce together with the noodles and you’ve got a great meal. I especially love using peanut or almond butter sauces in this.
Btw, you can eliminate the crunchiness from the noodles by putting a squirt of lemon into the water you soak the noodles it. Softens them up in about a half hour.
Elana says
Thanks Jodi!
sirpa says
I started eating these kelp noodles about a year ago. I usually prepare a soup with kale, fresh herbs, mushrooms and chicken stock (home made), and chicken and pour it over the noodles in a bowl, let sit for a moment and then eat it. i also have had them with any pasta sauce.
Elana says
Yum!
Sandra says
I found these kelp noodles at Whole Foods and fell in love with them. Still don’t think they really work as a spaghetti but for noodle soups, salads, and all asian-inspired dishes, they are perfect! If you want a less-crunchy noodle, they can be boiled in water or stock like dry pasta and they will soften and get floppy and slurpy.
Elana says
Thanks Sandra!
Elizabeth says
Oh yum…..I love these kelp noodles…my mom bought them when she was eating a lot of raw food, and they were perfect for dinner.
Elana says
Thanks Elizabeth!
Lexie says
Elana, I am so glad you posted about these! I have had a bag sitting in my fridge for a couple of months now (good thing they have a decent shelf life). Just have been nervous to try them and wasn’t sure what to enjoy them with. Can’t wait to hear what your readers are piling on them or drowning them in. I am dreaming of dashi and ume and …. xo
Elana says
Lexie, thanks for your lovely comment. Here’s what I’m topping them with:
https://elanaspantry.com/sesame-kelp-noodles/
Enjoy!
Elana
katieDid says
I’ve seen them but always brushed them off as some low calorie/ diet food. I didn’t really consider they might actually be nutritious and tasty… I’m gonna keep a look out for them now!
Elana says
Thanks Katie!
Kate@ eatrecyclerepeat says
I live in Japan, so I eat kelp all the time. They cut it into different shapes, including a noodle-like one that I use to make pad thai and larb gai, paleo-style. It is so delicious, I’ll be sad to give it up when I eventually move back to the US! But knowing there is an option like this will make it easier. Thanks for posting as always!
Haley says
This is my favorite pad thai recipe with kelp noodles!
http://cosmopolitanprimalgirl.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/paleo-pad-thai/
Elana says
Kate, you’re very welcome!
Nicole says
I’ve never even heard of kelp noodles! Are these similar to shirataki noodles? I’ll have to seek some out, since I definitely don’t get enough kelp in my diet :-)
Keara says
I think they are better than shirataki noodles! I made mine just like you would with spaghetti and they were great.
Elana says
Thanks Keara!