If you’re craving something fresh, vibrant, and full of exciting textures and flavors, you’re going to love this Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe. It’s like all the joy of a spring roll transformed into a colorful salad bowl, featuring crisp veggies, tender shrimp, delicate rice noodles, and a zingy, slightly sweet ginger dressing that brings everything alive. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, this dish is so easy to whip up yet incredibly satisfying. Get ready for a refreshing, flavor-packed experience that will become a go-to in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this salad lies in its simple, fresh ingredients that each play a crucial role in balancing the flavors and textures. From crisp mixed greens to tender shrimp and fragrant herbs, every component elevates the dish to new levels of deliciousness.
- 2 cups mixed greens: Provides a crisp and fresh base with varying textures and mild flavor.
- 1 cup shredded carrots: Adds sweetness and a bright orange color for visual appeal.
- 1 cup sliced cucumber: Introduces coolness and a refreshing crunch.
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced: Offers a subtle sweetness and vibrant color contrast.
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped: Brings a burst of fresh, citrusy aroma and flavor.
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped: Adds a cooling herbal note to balance the spicy dressing.
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions: Lends mild oniony pungency and color.
- 1/2 cup cooked shrimp, sliced: Introduces a protein element with delicate seafood flavor.
- 1/2 cup rice noodles, cooked: Provides a soft, slurpable texture that’s essential to the spring roll vibe.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: Adds nuttiness and a nice crunch as a finishing touch.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Gives a tangy brightness to contrast the sweetness in the dressing.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce: Deepens umami flavor and adds saltiness.
- 1 tablespoon honey: Balances the heat with natural sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated: Brings aromatic spice and warmth.
- 1 clove garlic, minced: Adds a subtle pungent kick.
- 1 tablespoon lime juice: Enhances freshness and acidity.
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce: Infuses the dressing with a pleasant spicy heat.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Creates a smooth, rich base to emulsify the dressing.
How to Make Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Fresh Vegetables and Herbs
Start by rinsing and drying the mixed greens thoroughly to keep everything crisp. Once dry, toss them into your largest salad bowl. Next, peel and shred the carrots for a delicate sweetness and crunch. Slice the cucumbers thinly so they don’t overwhelm the salad with moisture. Thinly slice your red bell pepper to introduce a vibrant pop of color and natural sweetness. Don’t forget those fresh herbs—chop the cilantro and mint finely to scatter their bright, fresh notes throughout the salad, and add the green onions for a mild yet sharp bite.
Step 2: Add Shrimp and Rice Noodles
Slice your cooked shrimp into bite-sized pieces, letting their tender, briny flavor mix with the fresh veggies. Keep your cooked rice noodles separate for the moment so they don’t stick together or get mushy; you’ll add them shortly to keep their perfect spring roll texture.
Step 3: Make the Spicy Ginger Dressing
In a small bowl, grate fresh ginger and mince the garlic, then add them in. To this aromatic base, pour in the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, and sriracha. Whisk these ingredients together until they start to combine, then slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously. This gradual addition creates a beautifully emulsified dressing that clings well to all the salad ingredients.
Step 4: Toss the Salad
Once your dressing is perfectly combined, add the rice noodles into the bowl of veggies and shrimp. Pour the dressing over everything and gently toss until every bite is evenly coated with the zingy ginger goodness and all ingredients are well mixed. Be careful to toss lightly to maintain the salad’s crisp texture.
Step 5: Finish with Sesame Seeds
Sprinkle sesame seeds liberally over the top of your salad just before serving. This final crunchy touch adds a toasty nuttiness that’s essential to the overall experience of the Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe.
Step 6: Chill or Serve Immediately
This salad tastes amazing fresh but can be refrigerated for up to an hour to let the flavors deepen and mingle. Just give it a light toss again before serving if it’s been chilled.
How to Serve Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
To enhance your salad’s presentation and taste, consider adding toasted peanuts or crushed cashews for extra crunch and richness. A few more cilantro or mint leaves on top brighten both the look and aroma, making it even more irresistible.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with light, Asian-inspired sides like steamed edamame or crispy spring rolls if you’re serving guests. For a heartier meal, consider pairing it with jasmine rice or grilled lemongrass chicken for complementary textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress, serve this spring roll salad in individual clear glass bowls or mason jars layered with the dressing at the bottom, noodles, shrimp, and veggies on top. Guests can shake and toss their portions themselves, making the meal interactive and fun. You could also serve it alongside rice paper wrappers and let people assemble their own spring roll bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day. To best preserve the crisp vegetables, store the dressing separately and toss the salad just before eating.
Freezing
This salad does not freeze well because the fresh vegetables and herbs lose their texture, and the dressing can separate. For best results, enjoy it fresh or refrigerated shortly after preparing.
Reheating
Since this salad is best served cold or at room temperature, reheating is not recommended. If you want to enjoy leftovers, let them come to room temperature or add a splash of fresh lime juice and whisk the dressing again to revive the flavors.
FAQs
Can I make this salad vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! Simply omit the shrimp and use tofu or extra crunchy vegetables to add protein. Make sure to use vegan-friendly soy sauce and skip honey in the dressing, substituting with maple syrup or agave.
How spicy is the dressing from the sriracha? Can I adjust it?
The sriracha adds a moderate, pleasant heat that complements the ginger. You can easily reduce or omit it if you prefer a milder salad, or add a bit more if you like it extra spicy.
What type of rice noodles should I use?
Thin rice vermicelli noodles work best here—they’re tender and light, blending perfectly without overpowering the fresh vegetables.
Can I prepare parts of this salad in advance?
Yes! Chop all your vegetables and herbs a day ahead and keep them refrigerated. Cook and slice the shrimp beforehand. Prepare the dressing up to 24 hours in advance for an even more flavorful experience.
Is this Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe gluten-free?
It can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in your dressing. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe that makes every bite feel fresh and exciting. It’s easy to make, packed with vibrant flavors and textures, and perfect for warm days or whenever you want a healthy, tasty meal in a flash. Give it a try—you might find yourself coming back to this delightful salad again and again!
Print
Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 0h 5m
- Total Time: 0h 25m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A fresh and vibrant Spring Roll Salad featuring mixed greens, shrimp, rice noodles, and crisp vegetables tossed in a spicy ginger dressing with a touch of sweetness and heat.
Ingredients
Salad
- 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 Ingredients: Rinse and thoroughly dry the mixed greens, then place them in a large salad bowl. Peel and shred the carrots, add to the bowl. Thinly slice the cucumber and red bell pepper and add them in. Finely chop the cilantro, mint, and green onions, then mix together with the vegetables.
- Add Shrimp and Noodles: Slice cooked shrimp into bite-sized pieces and add to the salad bowl. Place cooked rice noodles in a separate bowl and set aside.
- Make Spicy Ginger Dressing: In a small bowl, grate fresh ginger and mince garlic. Add rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, and sriracha sauce. Whisk together until combined, then slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to create a smooth, emulsified dressing.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad bowl containing vegetables and shrimp. Gently toss to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.
- Add Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top of the salad for added texture and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for freshest taste, or refrigerate for up to an hour to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the shrimp or substitute with tofu.
- Rice noodles can be replaced with glass noodles or vermicelli as desired.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the spice level.
- Toast sesame seeds slightly for enhanced flavor.
- This salad is best served fresh to retain the crispness of the vegetables.
