Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing Recipe

This Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing is everything you crave from a classic spring roll, but in vibrant, bowl-form bliss. Fresh, crisp vegetables and tender rice noodles are tossed together with aromatic herbs and a zesty, homemade dressing that packs a satisfying, gingery punch. Every bite bursts with color, texture, and bold flavors — it’s light enough for a sunny lunch, but filling enough for dinner. If you adore the irresistible combination of crunchy veggies, bright herbs, and just the right hint of heat, this Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing will quickly become your new go-to recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beautiful thing about this recipe is how a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients can transform into such a riot of flavors and textures. Every component plays a unique role, from the bouncy noodles to the fragrant herbs and that wow-worthy spicy ginger dressing.

• Rice vermicelli noodles: These soft, chewy noodles are the heart of the salad and soak up the spicy ginger dressing beautifully.
• Shredded carrots: Bright and sweet, they add vibrant color and a satisfying crunch.
• Thinly sliced bell peppers (red and yellow): Sweet, juicy, and visually stunning, they bring layers of freshness.
• Cucumber, thinly sliced: Cool and crisp, cucumber adds a refreshing contrast to the other flavors.
• Bean sprouts: Their delicate crunch and subtle flavor lighten the whole salad.
• Fresh cilantro, chopped: Aromatic and bright; cilantro ties all the flavors together with a hint of citrus.
• Fresh mint leaves, chopped: Essential for that unmistakable spring roll flavor — mint makes the salad sing!
• Green onions, sliced: Add a gentle bite and fresh edge, making the salad lively.
• Peanuts, crushed (optional): If you love extra crunch and a nutty note, don’t skip these.
• Fresh ginger, grated (for the dressing): The star of the dressing, ginger provides that bold, aromatic heat.
• Soy sauce (for the dressing): Salty and savory, it balances the other dressing elements.
• Rice vinegar (for the dressing): Lifts everything with gentle acidity and a little tang.
• Honey or agave syrup (for the dressing): Sweetens the dressing naturally and helps mellow out the heat.
• Sesame oil (for the dressing): Nutty and fragrant, it makes the dressing irresistibly good.
• Chili sauce (for the dressing): Brings just the right amount of fire — adjust the amount to match your spice preference.

How to Make Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add your rice vermicelli noodles and cook according to the package instructions — usually just a few quick minutes. Once they’re tender, drain and rinse them thoroughly under cold water. This not only stops the cooking, but ensures you end up with perfectly bouncy, non-sticky noodles that are ready to soak up all that spicy ginger dressing.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

While the noodles cool, it’s time to get your veggies prepped. Thinly slice the carrots, bell peppers, and cucumber for maximum crunch and eye appeal. Freshly slice the green onions as well. Keeping the cuts uniform helps the salad toss together easily, giving you a forkful of brightness in every bite.

Step 3: Combine the Greens and Herbs

In a large salad bowl, pile in the shredded carrots, sliced bell peppers, cucumber, bean sprouts, chopped cilantro, vibrant mint leaves, and sliced green onions. This mix of greens and herbs is what captures the freshness of classic spring rolls and infuses it throughout the salad.

Step 4: Mix in the Noodles

Next, gently fold the now-cooled rice noodles into your bowl of veggies and herbs. Use tongs or clean hands to lightly toss everything together, ensuring the flavors and textures combine without breaking up the noodles.

Step 5: Prepare the Spicy Ginger Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together grated ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or agave), sesame oil, and your preferred amount of chili sauce. The key here is balance — taste as you go, dialing the chili up or down depending on who you’re feeding. The dressing should be zesty, bold, and slightly sweet with a backnote of heat.

Step 6: Dress the Salad

Pour the spicy ginger dressing over your salad mixture, and toss thoroughly to ensure every last strand and shred is coated. It’s this toss that brings the dish together, infusing each component with layers of flavor and turning simple veggies into a main event.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer your glorious Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing to a serving platter or individual bowls. For those who love a bit of crunch, sprinkle over crushed peanuts just before serving. Get ready for rave reviews!

How to Serve Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing

Garnishes

Garnish is where you can let your creativity shine. A final flourish of extra chopped mint, cilantro, and green onions makes the salad look lush and adds a pop of flavor. A handful of crushed peanuts and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds (if you have them) deliver extra crunch and visual appeal. For a hit of brightness, add a wedge of lime on the side to squeeze right before eating.

Side Dishes

Pair your Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing with grilled tofu skewers, a simple miso soup, or steamed edamame for a complete, nourishing meal. You might also serve it with a light, crisp white wine or sparkling water with fresh lime for absolute refreshment.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or picnics, try layering the salad in individual jars for a portable, pretty presentation. If you want to impress, create a “DIY salad bar” where everyone builds their own bowls from the colorful ingredients and tops with the dressing as they please. Or roll the salad up into rice paper wrappers for a fusion take on traditional spring rolls — dipping sauce on the side, of course!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover salad will keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to two days, although it’s at its freshest when served right away. Store any extra Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing in an airtight container; if possible, keep the dressing separate until just before eating to maintain that lovely crisp texture.

Freezing

This salad isn’t a candidate for freezing due to the delicate nature of the fresh veggies and noodles, as freezing changes their texture. It’s best to enjoy Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing fresh or within a couple of days of making it.

Reheating

No reheating is needed! This dish is meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, highlighting the refreshing ingredients and lively flavors in the spicy ginger dressing.

FAQs

Can I make Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing gluten free?

Absolutely! Just use tamari or coconut aminos in place of regular soy sauce for a delicious gluten free option. Most rice vermicelli noodles are gluten free by default, but double check your packaging to be sure.

How spicy is the dressing?

The heat level is totally flexible — start with a teaspoon of chili sauce and add more if you’re a fan of extra spice. You can even serve extra chili sauce on the side so everyone can dial up the heat to their liking.

Can I add protein to the salad?

Definitely! Grilled shrimp, shredded chicken, tofu, or even edamame make excellent additions if you want more protein in your Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing. Just toss it in with everything else or serve alongside.

What vegetables can I swap or add?

This salad is endlessly versatile! Try adding shredded red cabbage, julienned snap peas, radishes, or thinly sliced daikon for extra crunch and color. Use what’s in season and what you love most.

How can I prep Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing ahead for a party?

You can cook the noodles and prep all the vegetables and herbs up to a day ahead, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Whisk up the spicy ginger dressing and keep it in a jar. When it’s party time, simply toss everything together and serve!

Final Thoughts

There’s something joyful about tossing together this Spring Roll Salad with Spicy Ginger Dressing — the colors, the aromas, and that perfectly balanced dressing just feel like a celebration in a bowl. If you’re looking to brighten up your meal routine with something fresh, easy, and totally delicious, I can’t recommend this salad enough. Give it a try; I bet it will become your new favorite, too!

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