Vibrant Goodness Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Vinaigrette

Oh, my dears, there’s something truly magical about food that brightens both your plate and your spirit, isn’t there? Today, I’m bubbling with excitement to share a recipe that does just that: our Goodness Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Vinaigrette. It’s a vibrant symphony of fresh flavors and delightful textures, truly a treat for the senses that feels both light and deeply satisfying. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a little journey to warmer days and lively gatherings, perfect for shaking up your usual routine with something utterly delicious.

I remember summer afternoons in my grandmother’s kitchen, not always baking, but sometimes assembling fresh, colourful ingredients for her famous “garden bowls.” There was such joy in seeing all the beautiful produce come together, a lesson in how simplicity can create something extraordinary. This salad, with its fresh mint, cilantro, and crisp vegetables, reminds me so much of those happy times, a testament to the fact that the best meals often start with the freshest ingredients and a little love.

This recipe is a true gem because it’s wonderfully versatile and surprisingly quick to put together, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a lovely light lunch. It’s a fabulous way to bring fresh, wholesome goodness to your table without a fuss, offering a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes that will have everyone asking for more. My little trick? Always have your dressing ingredients prepped – it makes assembly a breeze!

What You Need to Make This Recipe

This Goodness Spring Roll Salad is built on a foundation of fresh, crisp vegetables and succulent shrimp, all brought to life by an incredible creamy peanut dressing. The star, of course, is that luscious peanut butter, combined with bright lime and savory hoisin, making a dressing you’ll want to put on everything! You’ll find the full list of ingredients and precise measurements in the recipe card below, ready for your kitchen adventure.

How to Make Goodness Spring Roll Salad

Creating this refreshing Goodness Spring Roll Salad is a delightful process, broken down into three simple steps. First, you’ll whip up that irresistible creamy peanut dressing, infusing it with fresh ginger and garlic. Next, cook your shrimp and tender rice vermicelli noodles. Finally, it’s assembly time – layering crisp romaine, colorful veggies, and herbs to create a beautiful, wholesome salad that’s as lovely to look at as it is to eat.

Goodness Spring Roll Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing

A vibrant, deconstructed spring roll salad packed with fresh vegetables, succulent shrimp, rice vermicelli, and topped with a rich, creamy peanut dressing. It’s a delightful and refreshing meal.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: Asian, Vietnamese

Calories: 550

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Creamy Peanut Dressing

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
• 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup for vegan
• 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
• 1/2 tsp garlic minced
• 2-4 tbsp warm water as needed to reach desired consistency
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for heat

For the Salad

• 8 oz medium shrimp peeled, deveined, tails on or off
• 1 tsp sesame oil for cooking shrimp
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 oz rice vermicelli noodles thin
• 6 cups romaine lettuce shredded or chopped
• 1 cup carrots shredded
• 1 cup cucumber cut into matchsticks
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped

For Garnish

• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts crushed
• 2 tbsp fried shallots optional
• 1 whole lime cut into wedges

Equipment

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Colander
• Large Skillet

Method

 

Prepare the Peanut Dressing

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, hoisin sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2. Gradually add warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking until the dressing reaches your desired creamy, pourable consistency. Set aside.

Cook the Shrimp and Noodles

1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with sesame oil, garlic powder, and salt.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then halve or chop into bite-sized pieces if desired.
3. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the rice vermicelli noodles and cook according to package directions, typically 2-3 minutes, until tender. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.

Assemble the Salad

1. In a very large mixing bowl or on individual serving plates, arrange the shredded romaine lettuce as the base.
2. Artfully arrange the cooked vermicelli noodles, cooked shrimp, shredded carrots, cucumber matchsticks, red bell pepper slices, fresh mint, and fresh cilantro over the lettuce.
3. Drizzle generously with the creamy peanut dressing. Garnish with crushed roasted peanuts, fried shallots (if using), and lime wedges.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and flavorful Goodness Spring Roll Salad!

Notes

For a vegetarian or vegan option, substitute the shrimp with baked tofu or tempeh. To bake tofu, press a block of extra-firm tofu, cut into cubes, toss with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden. Ensure hoisin sauce and honey are vegan-friendly if needed.

Pro Tips for Making This Goodness Spring Roll Salad

To ensure your Goodness Spring Roll Salad turns out perfectly every time, I’ve gathered a few of my most cherished kitchen secrets. These little nuggets of wisdom, born from countless hours of experimenting, will help you achieve that wonderful balance of flavor and texture.

• My Secret Trick: When preparing your creamy peanut dressing, always use warm water to thin it. It helps the peanut butter and honey dissolve beautifully, creating a smoother, more luscious consistency without any lumps. I find it makes all the difference!
• Don’t overcook your shrimp! They cook very quickly, usually just a minute or two per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery, and we want them to be tender and juicy in our salad.
• For the freshest flavor, make sure your fresh mint and cilantro are thoroughly dried after washing. Excess water can dilute the dressing and make your salad less vibrant. A quick spin in a salad spinner works wonders!
• When cooking your rice vermicelli noodles, follow the package instructions closely. They usually only need a few minutes in hot water to soften. Rinse them with cold water immediately after draining to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together.

Fun Variations for Goodness Spring Roll Salad

One of the things I adore most about home cooking is the freedom to play and adapt! This Goodness Spring Roll Salad is wonderfully accommodating to your family’s tastes or whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand. Don’t be shy to make it your own!

Protein Play

While shrimp is utterly delicious here, feel free to swap it out! My sister always asks me to use grilled chicken or even pan-seared tofu for a plant-based version, and both are fantastic. You could also try shredded turkey breast for a lighter touch, making this salad incredibly versatile for any dietary preference.

Veggie Delights

The beauty of a spring roll salad is its adaptability to seasonal produce. Beyond carrots, cucumber, and red bell pepper, consider adding thinly sliced purple cabbage for an extra crunch, edamame for a pop of green and protein, or even some thinly sliced avocado for a creamy texture. A friend loves when I add spiralized zucchini for an extra fresh bite!

Dressing Twists

While the creamy peanut dressing is truly divine, you can adjust its spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes. For a touch of extra tang, a squeeze of fresh orange juice can brighten things up, or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil adds a deeper, nutty aroma.

What to Serve With Goodness Spring Roll Salad

This delightful Goodness Spring Roll Salad is often a complete meal in itself, but sometimes a little something extra just makes the experience even more special. When I’m hosting, I love to offer a few simple accompaniments to truly round out the table.

For a little extra crunch and texture, a small bowl of crispy wonton strips or even some extra roasted peanuts are always a hit. My mom always suggests a light, clear broth soup on the side, especially if it’s a cooler evening, to complement the freshness of the salad without overpowering it. And for a refreshing beverage, a glass of sparkling lime water with fresh mint sprigs really brightens the palate and pairs beautifully with the vibrant flavors of the Goodness Spring Roll Salad.

How to Store Goodness Spring Roll Salad

You’ve made a beautiful batch of Goodness Spring Roll Salad, and sometimes there’s a little left to enjoy later! Storing it properly ensures those lovely fresh flavors and textures remain.

Keeping it Fresh in the Fridge

The key to keeping your Goodness Spring Roll Salad fresh is to store the dressing separately from the salad components. Place the prepared salad (without dressing) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. For the creamy peanut dressing, store it in a separate airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to a week. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply toss the desired amount of salad with a fresh spoonful of dressing. My personal tip: if I know I’ll have leftovers, I’ll prepare the individual salad bowls without dressing until serving to keep everything perfectly crisp!

Reimagining Leftovers

If the salad has already been dressed, it’s best enjoyed within a day as the vegetables and noodles can become a bit softer. However, any dressed leftovers can still be enjoyed! If you’re not a fan of chilled leftovers, you could gently warm the shrimp and noodles briefly and then toss with the remaining salad ingredients, adding a fresh squeeze of lime to awaken the flavors.

Nutritional Benefits

This Goodness Spring Roll Salad is not only incredibly tasty but also packed with wonderful nutrients, making it a treat that’s both satisfying and nourishing. With lean protein from the shrimp and a rainbow of vitamins and fiber from all those fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumber, and bell pepper, it truly is a wholesome meal. It’s a beautiful example of how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create something truly good for you, embodying my philosophy of balancing indulgence with natural goodness.

FAQs

Faq 1

Can I make the creamy peanut dressing ahead of time?
Absolutely! The creamy peanut dressing is perfect for meal prep. You can whisk it together up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before serving your Goodness Spring Roll Salad.

Faq 2

What if I don’t like shrimp?
No worries at all! This Goodness Spring Roll Salad is wonderfully adaptable. You can easily substitute the shrimp with grilled chicken, pan-seared tofu, or even some thinly sliced pork. The rich peanut dressing complements a variety of proteins beautifully.

Faq 3

How do I prevent the rice vermicelli noodles from sticking?
The trick to perfectly separated rice vermicelli noodles is to rinse them thoroughly with cold water immediately after draining. This stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch, preventing them from clumping together in your Goodness Spring Roll Salad.

Faq 4

Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
Yes, please do! This Goodness Spring Roll Salad is a fantastic canvas for your favorite crunchy vegetables. Thinly sliced red cabbage, snow peas, or even some blanched broccoli florets would be delicious additions. Embrace your creativity!

There you have it, my dear friends – a truly delightful Goodness Spring Roll Salad that brings so much joy and freshness to the table. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a little love and creativity, can transform into a memorable meal. I truly hope you’ll gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and create some sweet, savory memories with this vibrant dish. Happy cooking, and as always, happy eating!