Spring Roll Salad Spicy Ginger (Printable)
Crisp vegetables, shrimp, and zesty ginger dressing create this vibrant Vietnamese-inspired dish ready in 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 7 oz cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined (or substitute with tofu for vegetarian option)
→ Vegetables & Herbs
02 - 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 1 cup julienned cucumber
05 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup cooked rice vermicelli noodles (gluten-free, optional)
07 - 1/2 cup bean sprouts
08 - 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
09 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
→ Spicy Ginger Dressing
11 - 3 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
12 - 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or gluten-free soy sauce for vegetarian)
13 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
18 - 3 tablespoons neutral oil (e.g., grapeseed or sunflower)
19 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
# How To Make It:
01 - Prepare all vegetables and herbs as directed and set aside.
02 - If using, cook rice vermicelli according to package instructions, then rinse with cold water and drain well.
03 - In a large bowl, combine shrimp (or tofu), lettuce, carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, bean sprouts, mint, and cilantro. Add rice vermicelli if using.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the spicy ginger dressing until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
06 - Transfer to serving plates, sprinkle with chopped peanuts, and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dressing hits every note at once, spicy, bright, and just barely sweet, making even ordinary vegetables feel exciting
- It comes together in thirty minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant that really understands fresh food
02 -
- The dressing can be made up to three days ahead and keeps beautifully in the fridge, actually developing deeper flavor as the ingredients meld together
- Dont dress the salad more than fifteen minutes before serving or the vegetables will start to release water and lose their satisfying crunch
03 -
- Cut your vegetables slightly thinner than you think necessary, theyll feel more delicate and elegant in the final salad
- Toast your peanuts in a dry pan for two minutes before chopping, that extra step transforms their flavor completely