Spring Roll Bowl

This magnificent spring roll salad brings all the delightful elements you cherish from traditional spring rolls together into one convenient and vibrant bowl. It’s perfectly tossed with a homemade dressing that strikes an exquisite balance of sweet and spicy, creating a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

There’s so much to adore about spring rolls – the satisfying crunch of crisp, fresh ingredients, the tantalizing interplay of hot and sweet dipping sauces, all harmonized by authentic Asian-inspired flavors. This salad is a direct homage to that beloved dish, deconstructed and reimagined. We artfully combine an abundance of super fresh vegetables with succulent mini shrimp and delicate vermicelli noodles, all coated in a rich, homemade dressing. This dressing is a masterful blend of bright orange marmalade, aromatic ginger, pungent garlic, and savory soy sauce, delivering a taste sensation that will transport your palate.

Why This Spring Roll Salad is a Must-Try

This isn’t just another salad; it’s a culinary journey packed with fresh flavors and textures. Here’s why this spring roll salad will become a staple in your meal rotation:

• Explosion of Flavor: Each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, tangy, and a hint of spicy, thanks to our perfectly balanced homemade dressing.
• Fresh and Healthy: Loaded with an array of crisp vegetables and lean protein, it’s a refreshing and nutritious meal that won’t leave you feeling heavy.
• Incredibly Versatile: Easily customizable to fit your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Swap proteins, add more veggies, or adjust the spice level – the possibilities are endless!
• Quick and Easy to Prepare: With pre-cooked shrimp and simple veggie prep, this salad comes together in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a quick lunch.
• Satisfying Texture: From the tender vermicelli noodles and juicy shrimp to the crunchy peanuts and crispy wonton strips, every forkful is a delight for the senses.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Spring Roll Salad

Crafting this vibrant spring roll salad begins with selecting the finest ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and appealing textures that make this dish so special.

The Heart of the Salad: Vermicelli Noodles

Vermicelli noodles: These delicate, thin rice noodles form the substantial base of our spring roll salad. They are wonderfully light and act as a perfect sponge, soaking up all the incredible flavors of the dressing. Their subtle chewiness provides a delightful contrast to the crunchy vegetables.

Vibrant Fresh Vegetables and Aromatic Herbs

This spring roll salad is generously packed with an assortment of colorful and nutritious vegetables and fragrant herbs, ensuring every bite is bursting with freshness:

• Fresh carrots: Peeled and cut into thin sticks, carrots add natural sweetness and a beautiful orange hue, alongside a satisfying crunch.
• English cucumber: Sliced into similar sticks, cucumber provides a cool, refreshing crispness that balances the richer flavors.
• Red cabbage: Shredded red cabbage contributes a gorgeous purple color and an extra layer of crisp texture, along with a mild, earthy flavor.
• Green onion: Sliced into 2-inch strips, green onions offer a mild, oniony zest that brightens the entire salad.
• Cilantro, mint, and basil: A generous mix of these fresh herbs is essential for capturing the authentic, aromatic profile of traditional spring rolls. They infuse the salad with their distinct, fragrant notes, elevating the overall taste.
• Shelled frozen edamame, thawed: These add a boost of plant-based protein and a pleasant, slightly firm texture, along with a mild, sweet flavor.

Protein Power: Delicious Shrimp

Mini shrimp: We particularly love using pre-cooked mini shrimp for this salad. Their small, bite-sized nature makes them perfectly suited for a cold noodle salad, and they offer a sweet, tender protein boost without any extra cooking fuss. They are juicy and integrate seamlessly with the other ingredients.

Crunchy Toppings for Extra Delight

For that extra layer of texture and flavor, we add:

• Peanuts: Give your roasted and salted peanuts a rough chop before sprinkling them generously over the salad. They provide a wonderful nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch that complements the other soft and crisp components.
• Wonton strips: These crispy strips are added right before serving to ensure they remain delightfully crunchy, offering a fantastic textural contrast and a hint of savory flavor.

The Secret Sauce: Our Irresistible Homemade Dressing

The dressing is truly what ties this spring roll salad together. It’s a delightful blend that hits all the right notes:

• Orange marmalade: Provides a unique citrusy sweetness and a slight tang.
• Rice vinegar: Adds a clean, mild acidity.
• Chili garlic sauce: Delivers the perfect amount of heat and savory depth.
• Sesame oil: Infuses the dressing with a rich, nutty aroma characteristic of Asian cuisine.
• Soy sauce: Offers a foundational savory and umami flavor.
• Fresh lime juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens the entire dressing with its vibrant zest.

The Creamy Touch: Peanut Drizzle

For an extra layer of richness and flavor, a creamy peanut drizzle is whisked together using:

• Creamy all-natural peanut butter: The base for a smooth, nutty drizzle.
• Rice vinegar: To thin the peanut butter and add tang.
• Chili garlic sauce: For a subtle kick that complements the main dressing.
• Sesame oil: To enhance the aromatic profile.
• Soy sauce: For savory depth.
• Lime juiced: To cut through the richness and add brightness.

Customizing Your Spring Roll Salad: Endless Variations

One of the best aspects of this spring roll salad is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with ingredients to suit your taste, dietary needs, or what you have available in your kitchen.

Want a Saucier Salad?

If you prefer a salad with a more generous coating of dressing, simply double the recipe for the homemade dressing and the peanut drizzle. This ensures every noodle and vegetable is thoroughly coated in that irresistible sweet and spicy flavor.

Choosing Your Shrimp

While we recommend using pre-cooked mini shrimp for their convenience and perfect bite-size, you are welcome to use any size of cooked shrimp. If starting with raw shrimp, ensure they are cooked thoroughly before adding them to the salad. You can grill, sauté, or boil them until pink and opaque.

Use Another Protein

Not a fan of shrimp, or simply looking for an alternative? This salad is incredibly versatile with other meat proteins:

• Shredded chicken: Cooked and shredded chicken breast or thighs are an excellent, lean substitute that soaks up the dressing beautifully.
• Steak: Thinly sliced grilled or pan-seared steak can add a richer, more robust flavor profile to your salad.
• Shredded pork: Leftover slow-cooked or instant pot shredded pork can also be a fantastic addition.

Make it Vegetarian or Vegan

Transform this recipe into a delicious vegetarian or even vegan meal by skipping the shrimp entirely. Instead, consider using firm or extra-firm tofu. Our pan-fried tofu recipe is an amazing option, offering crispy edges and a savory interior that pairs wonderfully with the salad’s flavors.

Make it Spicier

For those who crave more heat, it’s easy to kick up the spice level. Drizzle extra sriracha over your finished salad, or sprinkle a generous amount of chili crunch for an added layer of fiery flavor and texture.

Lower Calorie Option

If you’re aiming for a lighter version of this already healthy salad, you can easily reduce the calorie count by skipping the wonton strips and the peanut drizzle. The salad remains incredibly flavorful and satisfying even without these additions, letting the fresh ingredients shine.

Expert Tips for the Best Spring Roll Salad

Achieving a perfect spring roll salad is simple with a few key considerations:

• Don’t overcook the vermicelli noodles: Vermicelli noodles are exceptionally thin and made from rice, which means they cook very quickly. Overcooking them will result in a mushy texture that diminishes the salad’s overall appeal. Follow package directions precisely, usually involving a quick soak in hot water rather than boiling, and then rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
• Toss the salad thoroughly with the dressing: It’s crucial to mix the salad very well once you add the dressing. Rice vermicelli noodles are highly absorbent and will soak up a significant amount of the dressing. Thorough tossing not only ensures that every strand of noodle is infused with the delicious sweet and spicy flavors but also prevents the dressing from pooling at the bottom of your serving bowl, leaving some ingredients bland. Aim for an even coating for maximum flavor in every bite.
• Prepare vegetables uniformly: Cutting your carrots, cucumbers, and green onions into similar 2-inch sticks or strips ensures a balanced texture and makes the salad easier to eat.
• Add crunchy toppings last: To maintain their crispness, always add peanuts and especially wonton strips just before serving. If added too early, they will absorb moisture and lose their crunch.
• Taste and adjust: Always taste your dressing before adding it to the salad, and then taste the dressed salad. Adjust seasonings like salt, lime juice, or chili garlic sauce to perfectly suit your preference.

Storage and Meal Prep

This spring roll salad is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored for a couple of days:

• Refrigeration: Store any leftover spring roll salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
• Maintaining freshness: To prevent the wonton strips from becoming soggy, keep them stored separately in an airtight container at room temperature and add them right before serving each portion. This preserves their delightful crunch.
• Meal prep friendly: For efficient meal prepping, you can prepare the dressing and peanut drizzle ahead of time and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Chop all your vegetables and herbs and store them separately as well. Cook the vermicelli noodles just before assembling, or store them separately after rinsing. Assemble individual portions right before eating for the freshest experience.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions

This refreshing spring roll salad is substantial enough to be enjoyed as a satisfying main dish on its own. However, if you’re looking to create a more extensive Asian-inspired meal, it pairs wonderfully with several other delicious dishes:

• Homemade Beef and Broccoli: The savory and tender beef with crisp broccoli offers a fantastic contrast to the fresh salad.
• Thai Basil Stir Fry (Pad Krapow): The aromatic and slightly spicy flavors of a Thai basil stir-fry complement the salad beautifully.
• Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry: Sweet and savory teriyaki chicken provides another excellent protein-rich side that enhances the meal.
• Egg Rolls or Spring Rolls: For an authentic experience, serve it alongside traditional fried egg rolls or fresh spring rolls.
• Miso Soup: A light bowl of miso soup can be a calming start to the meal.

No matter how you choose to serve it, this spring roll salad is guaranteed to be a hit!

Spring Roll Salad Recipe

Enjoy the vibrant flavor of spring rolls encapsulated in a refreshing salad, all brought together with a homemade sweet and spicy dressing. This spring roll salad is the ultimate fusion of fresh ingredients and bold flavors in one delicious bowl!

By: Emily Richter

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Total: 30 mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

Dressing

• ¼ cup orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• ½ fresh lime juice

Peanut Drizzle

• 1/4 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/2 lime juiced

Other Ingredients

• 8 oz. vermicelli noodles
• 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks
• ½ large English cucumber, cut into 2-inch sticks
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 green onions, cut into 2-inch strips
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup shelled frozen edamame, thawed
• 12 oz. cooked mini shrimp, thawed (~3 cups)
• ⅓ cup chopped peanuts, roasted and salted
• 1 cup wonton strips

Instructions

• 1. Prepare the Dressing: Add all of the ingredients for the main dressing (orange marmalade, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, and fresh lime juice) to a medium bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined and smooth. Set aside.
• 2. Prepare the Peanut Drizzle: In a separate small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the peanut butter drizzle (creamy peanut butter, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, and lime juice) until it’s smooth and well combined. Set aside.
• 3. Cook the Vermicelli Noodles: Follow the package directions carefully to cook the vermicelli noodles. Typically, this involves soaking them in hot water until tender. Once cooked, immediately rinse them with cold water to prevent them from sticking together and to stop the cooking process. Drain well and set aside.
  
• 4. Marinate Carrots and Cucumbers: In a bowl, combine the carrot sticks and cucumber sticks. Toss them with 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar and ½ teaspoon of sea salt. Mix thoroughly to ensure they are well coated, then let them rest for at least 10 minutes. This step helps to slightly soften the vegetables and enhances their flavor.
  
• 5. Combine Herbs and Cabbage: In another large bowl, add the chopped cilantro, green onions, mint leaves, basil leaves, shredded red cabbage, and thawed edamame. Toss gently to combine.
  
• 6. Assemble the Salad Base: Place the cooked and drained vermicelli noodles into a very large mixing bowl. Add the marinated carrot and cucumber mixture, the combined herbs and cabbage, and the thawed cooked mini shrimp on top of the noodles.
  
• 7. Dress and Toss: Pour the prepared homemade dressing evenly over all the ingredients in the large bowl. Toss vigorously and thoroughly until all the noodles and vegetables are well coated with the dressing. Remember that vermicelli noodles are highly absorbent, so diligent tossing ensures every element is infused with flavor.
• 8. Finish and Serve: Drizzle the peanut butter mixture over the tossed salad. Finally, sprinkle generously with the chopped peanuts and the crispy wonton strips. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest textures and flavors.
  

Tips & Notes

• If you desire a saucier salad with more dressing, feel free to double the recipe for both the main dressing and the peanut drizzle.
• We opted for pre-cooked mini shrimp for their convenience and ideal bite-size. However, any size of cooked shrimp will work wonderfully in this salad.
• To make this recipe entirely vegetarian or vegan, simply omit the shrimp and incorporate a plant-based protein like pan-fried tofu.
• You can easily substitute the shrimp with other cooked proteins such as shredded chicken, thinly sliced beef, or pulled pork.
• For those who enjoy a spicier kick, enhance the heat by topping your salad with extra sriracha or a spoonful of chili crunch.
• If you’re looking for a lower-calorie version of this delicious spring roll salad, you can skip the wonton strips and the creamy peanut drizzle without sacrificing much flavor.

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Nutrition

Calories: 812 kcal
, Carbohydrates: 113 g
, Protein: 37 g
, Fat: 24 g
, Fiber: 7 g
, Sugar: 18 g

Please note: Nutrition information is an estimation and may vary based on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods. It should be used as an approximation only.