Description
The Best Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing features fresh, crunchy vegetables, herbs, and rice noodles tossed in a creamy, tangy peanut dressing. Inspired by traditional Vietnamese spring rolls, this salad is a light, colorful meal perfect for lunch or dinner. It combines crisp lettuce, shredded carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, cabbage, fresh herbs, and optional cooked shrimp or chicken, all tied together with a flavorful peanut sauce that balances savory, sweet, and spicy notes.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 6 oz rice noodles
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- 1 cup cooked shrimp or chicken (optional)
Peanut Dressing
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1–2 tbsp warm water, as needed
- 1/2 tsp sriracha (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Rice Noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to package directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare Peanut Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, and optional sriracha until combined.
- Adjust Dressing Consistency: Gradually add warm water, one tablespoon at a time, whisking until the dressing becomes smooth and pourable. This ensures the perfect consistency for drizzling and tossing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix shredded lettuce, carrots, julienned cucumber, thinly sliced red bell pepper, shredded red cabbage, chopped cilantro, fresh mint leaves, and sliced green onions.
- Add Noodles and Protein: Add the cooled rice noodles and cooked shrimp or chicken, if using, to the vegetable mixture.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss all ingredients together to evenly distribute the vegetables, herbs, protein, and noodles.
- Add Dressing and Toss Again: Drizzle the prepared peanut dressing over the salad, then toss once more to coat all ingredients in the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Sprinkle the chopped peanuts on top for added crunch and serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- Keep the dressing separate if preparing the salad ahead of time to prevent sogginess.
- Add sliced avocado for extra creaminess and richness.
- Rice vermicelli or soba noodles can be used as alternatives to rice noodles for variety.
- For more heat, add sliced jalapeño or increase the amount of sriracha in the dressing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Vietnamese, Asian
