There is nothing quite as refreshing and vibrant as a Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe to brighten up your meal times. This dish perfectly balances crisp vegetables, tender shrimp, and chewy rice noodles, all brought together with an irresistibly tangy, spicy ginger dressing that tingles your taste buds. It’s a fresh, colorful, and healthy salad that feels like a celebration in every bite, making it a must-try for anyone craving a light but satisfying dish with bold flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, but don’t let that fool you—each ingredient plays a vital role. From the crunchy mixed greens to the fragrant fresh herbs, and from the juicy shrimp to the spicy, zesty dressing, these components work in harmony to create a memorable sensory experience.
- Mixed greens: Use a combination of tender lettuces and spinach for freshness and a variety of textures.
- Shredded carrots: Add a subtle sweetness and gorgeous orange color that contrasts beautifully with the greens.
- Sliced cucumber: Brings a cool, crisp bite that refreshes the palate.
- Red bell pepper: Thinly sliced for a burst of crunch and vibrant red hue.
- Fresh cilantro: Its bright, citrusy notes lift the entire salad.
- Fresh mint: Adds a cooling aroma that perfectly complements the spicy dressing.
- Chopped green onions: Provide a mild onion flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Cooked shrimp: Adds a succulent protein that pairs beautifully with the fresh vegetables.
- Rice noodles: Give the salad a chewy texture and help soak up the dressing.
- Sesame seeds: Toasted if you like, for extra nuttiness and crunch on top.
- Rice vinegar: A key acid that brightens the dressing.
- Soy sauce: Imparts a savory depth and subtle saltiness.
- Honey: Balances the heat with a touch of natural sweetness.
- Fresh ginger: The star ingredient in the dressing, adding spicy warmth.
- Garlic: Provides a pungent kick that complements the ginger.
- Lime juice: Enhances the dressing with its zesty freshness.
- Sriracha sauce: Adds that necessary fiery punch, adjustable to your spice preference.
- Olive oil: Helps emulsify the dressing and smooth out the flavors.
How to Make Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Fresh Ingredients
Start by rinsing and drying the mixed greens thoroughly to ensure your salad stays crisp. Shred the carrots and slice the cucumber thinly for easy bites and lots of texture. Add the thinly sliced red bell pepper for sweetness and color. Chop the fresh cilantro and mint finely—they’ll infuse the salad with herby brightness—then sprinkle in the chopped green onions for a delicate, mild bite.
Step 2: Add the Shrimp and Rice Noodles
Slice the cooked shrimp into small, bite-sized pieces to help them mingle seamlessly with the vegetables. Place these into the salad bowl along with the noodles, which offer a lovely chewiness and soak up the spicy ginger dressing’s flavor.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Spicy Ginger Dressing
In a small bowl, grate your fresh ginger and mince the garlic to form the fresh foundation of the dressing. Add rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, and sriracha sauce, then whisk everything together until well combined. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously to create a smooth, emulsified dressing that beautifully coats every ingredient.
Step 4: Toss the Salad Gently
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly. This careful mixing helps all the components absorb the vibrant flavors of the spicy ginger dressing without bruising the delicate greens or squashing the noodles. The balance of textures and flavors starts coming together right here.
Step 5: Add the Final Touch
Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top just before serving to add a delightful nutty crunch and a lovely finishing touch that contrasts with the tender salad ingredients.
Step 6: Chill or Serve Immediately
This Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can refrigerate it for up to an hour to let the flavors mingle if you prefer a slightly chilled salad. Just be sure to toss it again before serving!
How to Serve Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
Add some crushed peanuts for extra crunch and a bit more depth, or sprinkle with additional fresh herbs like Thai basil or more mint to enhance the refreshing notes. Thin lime wedges on the side let guests add a fresh splash of citrus if they want.
Side Dishes
This salad shines as a main on a warm day but pairs wonderfully with light, complementary dishes like grilled lemongrass chicken, steamed jasmine rice, or even crispy spring rolls for an all-around vibrant meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe in individual clear glass bowls to showcase its colorful layers, or pile it high on a large platter for a stunning family-style presentation. Wrapping portions in rice paper for handheld spring roll bites is another fun and interactive serving idea!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers to keep everything crisp and vibrant. The salad should stay fresh for about a day when refrigerated, but the noodles may start to soften.
Freezing
This salad isn’t well suited for freezing because the fresh vegetables and noodles will lose their texture once thawed. For best results, prepare fresh as needed or keep ingredients separate if you want to prep in advance.
Reheating
Since this is a cold salad, reheating is not recommended. If you prefer a warm element, gently warm any leftover shrimp or serve with a warm side, but keep the salad itself chilled and fresh.
FAQs
Can I make this salad vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! Simply omit the shrimp and replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to keep it vegan-friendly. Tofu or crispy chickpeas make great protein substitutes to keep it filling and delicious.
How spicy is the dressing, and can it be adjusted?
The dressing has a noticeable kick thanks to the sriracha sauce, but you can easily adjust the heat by adding less or substituting with a milder chili sauce. It’s all about your personal heat preference!
Can I prepare any parts of this salad ahead of time?
You can chop the vegetables and herbs and cook the rice noodles and shrimp up to a day in advance. Store them in separate containers and assemble the salad just before serving for maximum freshness.
What can I use instead of rice noodles?
Glass noodles or even thinly spiralized vegetables like zucchini or daikon radish make excellent alternatives if you want to avoid rice noodles or add extra crunch.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, provided you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. All the fresh vegetables and other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this salad a safe and tasty option for gluten-sensitive diets.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe that makes it irresistible—its vibrant colors, fresh herbs, and the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors come alive in every bite. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a refreshing dinner, or a stunning dish to impress guests, this salad delivers with warmth and enthusiasm. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover how effortlessly it brightens your table and your palate!
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Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 0h 5m
- Total Time: 0h 25m
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing is a fresh and vibrant dish inspired by the flavors of traditional spring rolls, featuring crisp mixed greens, fresh herbs, cooked shrimp, and rice noodles. Tossed in a zesty and slightly sweet ginger-based dressing with a hint of heat from sriracha, this salad is a light and refreshing meal perfect for a quick lunch or a flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup cooked shrimp, sliced
- 1/2 cup rice noodles, cooked
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Spicy Ginger Dressing
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Rinse and dry the mixed greens thoroughly and place them in a large salad bowl. Grate the carrots and add them in. Thinly slice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and add them to the bowl. Finely chop the cilantro, mint, and green onions, then sprinkle them into the mixture.
- Add shrimp and noodles: Slice the cooked shrimp into bite-sized pieces and add them to the salad bowl. Place cooked rice noodles in a separate bowl and set aside for now.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, and sriracha sauce. Whisk the mixture well, then slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together to ensure even coating of the dressing on the vegetables, shrimp, and noodles.
- Add finishing touch: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top of the salad to add flavor and crunch.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour to let the flavors meld before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute shrimp with cooked chicken or tofu for a different protein option.
- Ensure the vegetables are fresh and crisp for the best texture.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to an hour before serving.
- Adjust the level of sriracha based on your preferred spice tolerance.
- Rice noodles should be cooked according to package instructions and cooled before adding to the salad.
