Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing

The crispy, fresh spring roll salad combines the vibrant crunch of vegetables with the rich, savory depth of peanut dressing, creating a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Each bite offers a burst of freshness, with the soft rice noodles and crisp greens balanced by the creamy, tangy peanut sauce that brings everything together in the most satisfying way. The dressing, with its touch of sweetness, umami, and a hint of spice, coats every bite and adds a little bit of indulgence to the lightness of the salad. The combination of mint, cilantro, and fresh lime lifts the dish, offering a fragrant, herbaceous contrast to the richness of the dressing. It’s the kind of meal that feels refreshing yet comforting, making it a perfect choice for warmer weather or when you’re craving something light but full of flavor. The best part? It’s incredibly customizable—you can swap in your favorite veggies or add protein like grilled shrimp or tofu, making it adaptable to whatever you’re in the mood for.

Key Ingredients in Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing

Each ingredient in this salad plays a crucial role in balancing flavors and creating that perfect combination of freshness and richness. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

* Rice noodles

Light and chewy, rice noodles serve as the base of the salad, offering a soft, neutral texture that complements the crunchy vegetables and rich peanut dressing.

* Shredded lettuce

Adds a crisp, refreshing crunch to the salad, providing a fresh backdrop to the other ingredients.

* Shredded carrots

These bring a natural sweetness and vibrant color, giving the salad a lively, crunchy texture.

* Cucumber, julienned

Crisp and cool, cucumber adds a hydrating, refreshing crunch that pairs beautifully with the richness of the dressing.

* Fresh cilantro, chopped

Offering a bright, herbaceous flavor, cilantro lifts the salad with its zesty freshness, adding a touch of vibrancy to every bite.

* Fresh mint leaves, chopped

Mint adds a cool, aromatic flavor that brings an extra level of freshness, perfectly balancing the richness of the peanut dressing.

* Chopped peanuts

A crunchy and slightly salty addition that adds texture and a delightful nutty flavor, rounding out the salad with a savory bite.

* Red bell pepper, thinly sliced

Sweet and slightly tangy, red bell pepper adds color and a mild crunch, complementing the fresh vegetables.

* Green onions, sliced

These bring a mild onion flavor with a touch of sharpness, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the salad.

* Hoisin sauce

Sweet and savory, hoisin sauce adds depth and a hint of umami to the peanut dressing, balancing the other ingredients beautifully.

* Peanut butter

The heart of the dressing, peanut butter provides a rich, creamy texture and nutty flavor that gives the salad its signature taste.

* Soy sauce

Adding a savory, salty note, soy sauce deepens the flavors of the dressing, giving it a rich umami kick.

* Rice vinegar

This light, tangy vinegar adds acidity to the dressing, balancing the richness of the peanut butter and hoisin sauce.

* Lime juice

A squeeze of lime juice offers a bright, zesty tang, lifting the flavors and adding a refreshing contrast to the peanut dressing.

* Sesame oil

This oil contributes a toasty, nutty flavor to the dressing, giving it an extra layer of depth and aroma.

* Sugar

A touch of sweetness from sugar helps round out the flavors in the dressing, mellowing the acidity and balancing the savory notes.

* Garlic, minced

Garlic adds a subtle but bold flavor that enhances the depth of the dressing with its aromatic, slightly spicy notes.

* Grated ginger

Fresh ginger provides a warm, slightly peppery kick that brings brightness and complexity to the dressing.

* Chili flakes

A small amount of chili flakes gives the dressing just the right amount of heat, elevating the dish without overpowering the other flavors.

How to Make Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. This typically takes just a few minutes, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook.

2. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process. This will help the noodles maintain their texture and prevent them from becoming too soft.

3. Set the rice noodles aside to cool, allowing any excess water to drain off. You don’t want any watery noodles messing with the texture of the salad!

4. In a large bowl, combine the shredded lettuce, shredded carrots, julienned cucumber, chopped cilantro, chopped mint leaves, chopped peanuts, thinly sliced red bell pepper, and sliced green onions. This is the base of your salad, so make sure everything is nice and fresh!

5. Toss the vegetables and herbs gently to mix them together evenly. You want to make sure everything is well distributed before adding the dressing. Don’t be too rough, you want to keep that crispy texture intact.

6. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes. This is where the magic happens, so be sure to whisk until the dressing is smooth and fully combined.

7. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if needed. If you want more acidity, add a bit more lime juice; if you prefer more saltiness, a little extra soy sauce will do the trick. Add a pinch more chili flakes if you like a spicier kick.

8. Pour the dressing over the mixed salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly. The goal is to ensure each bite is dressed just right, without sogginess.

9. Add the cooled rice noodles to the salad and toss again, ensuring the noodles are evenly incorporated with the vegetables and dressing. This will bring everything together and let the noodles soak up all those beautiful flavors.

10. Serve the salad immediately, garnishing with additional chopped peanuts, cilantro, and mint leaves if desired. This adds a fresh, vibrant touch to your finished dish.

11. Enjoy your Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing!

Serving Suggestions for Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing

– Pair it with grilled shrimp or chicken: If you’re craving a bit of protein, grilled shrimp or chicken are perfect additions to this salad. The light, crisp salad balances beautifully with the savory depth of grilled meats. Try marinating your shrimp in a simple soy-lime marinade for an extra burst of flavor!

– Serve it with a side of crispy spring rolls: Keep the spring roll vibe going by serving this salad alongside some crispy vegetable or shrimp spring rolls. The contrast of warm, crunchy rolls and the cool, fresh salad creates a delightful meal experience.

– Top with extra herbs and chili flakes: For a little extra kick and freshness, top your salad with more fresh cilantro, mint leaves, and a sprinkle of chili flakes. This not only enhances the flavor but also makes the dish look even more vibrant and inviting.

How to Store Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing

To keep your Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing fresh and flavorful, it’s important to store it properly. Here are a few tips:

– Store the dressing separately: If you’re planning to have leftovers, it’s best to store the dressing in a separate container. This will keep the salad ingredients from becoming soggy. You can store the dressing in the fridge for up to a week—just give it a good stir before using again!

– Refrigerate the salad: If you’ve already mixed the salad but want to save some for later, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. The veggies will stay fresh, but the noodles might soften a little over time.

– Add fresh herbs last: To keep that vibrant green color and fresh flavor, add the chopped cilantro and mint leaves just before serving. These herbs will wilt quickly, so it’s best to keep them in a small container and sprinkle them on top when you’re ready to eat.

By following these simple storage methods, you can enjoy your salad for a couple of days without losing too much of its delicious freshness!

Conclusion

And there you have it—the perfect Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing! This vibrant dish is all about balancing those fresh, crunchy vegetables with the rich, creamy peanut dressing. Whether you’re enjoying it on a warm day or looking for something light yet satisfying, this salad will hit all the right notes.

I hope you enjoy making this salad as much as I do! It’s so versatile—you can swap in whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand and make it your own. If you try it out, let me know how it goes! Any questions, comments, or feedback? I’d love to hear what you think or help out if you need any extra tips.

Happy cooking, friends!

Print Recipe

Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing

Author: Emily Roberts Courses: Lunch

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 5 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 30 mins

Calories: 350

Description

A vibrant, fresh salad bursting with crunchy veggies, tender herbs, and vermicelli noodles, all wrapped in soft rice paper. Topped with a rich, savory peanut dressing, it's a perfect balance of flavors—crispy, creamy, and utterly refreshing!

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 1 cup rice noodles

• 1 cup shredded lettuce

• 1 cup shredded carrots

• ¹⁄₂ cup cucumber, julienned

• ¹⁄₄ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• ¹⁄₄ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

• ¹⁄₄ cup chopped peanuts

• ¹⁄₄ cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• ¹⁄₄ cup green onions, sliced

• ¹⁄₄ cup hoisin sauce

• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon chili flakes

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
2. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process.
3. Set the rice noodles aside to cool and drain any excess water.
4. In a large bowl, combine the shredded lettuce, shredded carrots, julienned cucumber, chopped cilantro, chopped mint leaves, chopped peanuts, thinly sliced red bell pepper, and sliced green onions.
5. Toss the vegetables and herbs gently to mix them together evenly.
6. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes.
7. Continue whisking until the dressing is smooth and fully combined.
8. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more lime juice, soy sauce, or chili flakes as desired.
9. Pour the dressing over the mixed salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
10. Add the cooled rice noodles to the salad and toss again, ensuring the noodles are evenly incorporated with the vegetables and dressing.
11. Serve the salad immediately, garnishing with additional chopped peanuts, cilantro, and mint leaves if desired.
12. Enjoy your Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing!

Note

• Rice noodles can be substituted with soba noodles or vermicelli for a different texture.
• If you prefer a spicier salad, increase the chili flakes or add a dash of sriracha to the dressing.
• For a crunchy texture, consider adding sliced radishes or toasted sesame seeds.
• To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
• You can prepare the dressing in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Keywords: spring roll salad recipe, peanut dressing for salad, healthy spring roll salad, fresh spring roll salad, spring roll salad with peanut sauce