Raw zucchini noodle salad

Raw spiralized zucchini tossed with lemon, olive oil, basil, cherry tomatoes and shaved parmesan. Serves 2.

  • Lazy AF
  • Gluten-free
  • Italian
  • Side
  • Lunch
  • Vegetables
  • Keto
  • Low carb
  • No cook
Hands-on
12 min
Total time
16 min, show breakdown
  • Prep 12 min
  • Cook 0 min
  • Clean up 4 min
Pans
0
Ingredients
7
Cost/serving
$2.48

Per serving

Calories
204
Protein
6.6 g
Fiber
2.6 g
Net carbs
6.4 g
Fat
17 g

High in (% Daily Value per serving): Vitamin C 50%, Vitamin K 38%, Vitamin B6 23%

Full nutrition facts, vitamins and minerals. All nutrition is estimated; check your own labels.

Already egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free.

Ingredients for 2

Tap an ingredient for other units and forms.

  • 2 medium zucchini (400 g), firm, not too large
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes (75 g)

    Same amount as: 120 mL.

  • ½ cup fresh basil (12 g), leaves

    Same amount as: 120 mL.

  • 4 tbsp parmesan, grated (20 g), shaved or finely grated

    Same amount as: 60 mL.

  • 2 tbsp olive oil (27 g)

    Same amount as: 30 mL.

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (15 g)

    Same amount as: 15 mL, ¼ lemon squeezed from fresh lemons.

  • ½ clove garlic, smashed (1.5 g)

    Same amount as: ½ tsp fresh minced garlic, ¼ tsp jarred minced garlic, 0.1 tsp garlic powder.

  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Find alternative ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

Nutrition Facts

2 servings per recipe

Serving size 1 plate (276 g raw)

NutrientPer serving% DV*Whole recipe
Calories204
Total fat17 g22%
Saturated fat3.7 g18%
Cholesterol7 mg2%
Sodium334 mg15%
Total carbohydrate9 g3%
Dietary fiber2.6 g9%
Total sugars6.3 g
Net carbs†6.4 g
Protein6.6 g13%
Vitamin D0.05 mcg0%
Calcium168 mg13%
Iron1.2 mg7%
Potassium651 mg14%
Vitamin A72 mcg8%
Vitamin C45 mg50%
Vitamin E2.5 mg16%
Vitamin K45 mcg38%
Thiamin (B1)0.11 mg9%
Riboflavin (B2)0.24 mg18%
Niacin (B3)1.2 mg8%
Vitamin B60.39 mg23%
Folate60 mcg15%
Vitamin B120.12 mcg5%
Magnesium49 mg12%
Zinc1 mg9%
Selenium2.8 mcg5%

Estimated, not verified. These numbers are calculated from typical ingredient data and haven't been checked against a lab or your brands. Check the labels of what you buy and confirm anything that matters to you, especially sodium, sugar and allergens.

* % Daily Value shows how much one serving adds to a 2,000-calorie day. † Net carbs is not on US labels; it is total carbs minus fiber, allulose, erythritol and half of other sugar alcohols. "To taste" amounts are counted as written. Counted items (eggs, cloves, spoons) use the rounded amount shown in the ingredient list. Vitamins and minerals are from raw ingredients; cooking lowers some, especially vitamin C and folate. How this is calculated.

Steps

  1. Spiralize the zucchini. Cut the long strands with scissors every 20 cm (8 in) or so.

    Done looks like: A loose pile of noodles about as long as spaghetti.
  2. Grate or crush the garlic. In a large bowl, whisk it with the oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

  3. Halve the tomatoes. Tear the basil.

  4. Add the zucchini, tomatoes and basil to the bowl and toss with your hands or tongs.

    Done looks like: Every strand shiny with dressing.
  5. Top with the parmesan and eat within 15 minutes.

Equipment

Spiralizer or julienne peeler $8–30

What to look for

  • A handheld julienne peeler is enough for one or two zucchini
  • Countertop spiralizers with suction feet are faster for big batches

Skip: Electric spiralizers.

Chef's knife, 20 cm (8 in) $15–50

What to look for

  • Comfortable handle that does not slip when wet
  • Blade you can sharpen, or a cheap one you replace every few years

Skip: Knife blocks with 12 knives. A chef's knife and a small paring knife cover almost everything.

Cutting board $10–30

What to look for

  • At least 30 × 40 cm (12 × 16 in), so food stays on it
  • Wood or plastic; plastic goes in the dishwasher

Skip: Glass or stone boards. They dull knives fast.

What goes wrong

WhatCauseFix
Pool of water in the bowlSalt pulls water out of zucchini as it sits.Dress right before eating. If you must make it ahead, keep the dressing separate.
Noodles break into short bitsSoft or very large, seedy zucchini.Use firm, medium zucchini and spiralize with steady pressure.

Versions

VersionChangesPer serving
OriginalAs written. Hands-on 12 min, total 16 min.204 kcal
6.6 g protein
2.6 g fiber
6.4 g net carbs
17 g fat
Higher proteinAdd white beans. Hands-on 12 min, total 16 min.272 kcal
11 g protein
6.4 g fiber
15 g net carbs
17 g fat

Notes

Allergies: removing an allergen from the recipe does not remove it from your kitchen or from other products. Check labels for "may contain" warnings.

Pregnancy: Parmesan is a hard cheese and is considered safe in pregnancy.