Enjoy all the fresh flavors of your favorite spring rolls in an easy, vibrant salad! This Fresh Spring Roll Salad with Zesty Ginger Dressing combines crisp vegetables, tender rice noodles, crunchy peanuts, and fragrant herbs, all tossed in a bright homemade ginger dressing. It’s a light yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for warm days, meal prep, or whenever you’re craving something fresh and wholesome.
Whenever the weather warms up, this Spring Roll Salad becomes one of the most requested meals in our house. My husband loves the tangy ginger dressing, while the kids enjoy the colorful vegetables and soft rice noodles. Instead of spending time rolling individual spring rolls, we simply toss everything together in one big bowl and let everyone build their own plate. It’s fresh, healthy, and always brings a little extra color to our dinner table.
Why This Fresh Spring Roll Salad with Zesty Ginger Dressing
- All the delicious flavors of fresh spring rolls in a quick, easy salad.
- Crisp vegetables, tender rice noodles, and fresh herbs create the perfect balance of textures.
- Homemade ginger dressing is bright, tangy, and full of fresh flavor.
- Naturally colorful, nutritious, and packed with fresh ingredients.
- Perfect for meal prep, lunches, or light dinners.
- Easily customized with your favorite vegetables or protein.
- Ready in about 30 minutes with minimal cooking.
Ingredients
Makes about 6 servings
For the Salad
- 8 oz (225 g / 0.50 lb) rice noodles
- 2 cups (170 g / 0.37 lb) shredded purple cabbage
- 2 cups (170 g / 0.37 lb) shredded green cabbage
- 2 medium carrots (140 g / 0.31 lb), julienned
- 1 large cucumber (300 g / 0.66 lb), thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper (180 g / 0.40 lb), thinly sliced
- 1 cup (100 g / 0.22 lb) bean sprouts
- 1 avocado (200 g / 0.44 lb), sliced
- 3 green onions (60 g / 0.13 lb), thinly sliced
- ½ cup (15 g / 0.03 lb) fresh cilantro leaves
- ½ cup (15 g / 0.03 lb) fresh mint leaves
- ⅓ cup (45 g / 0.10 lb) chopped roasted peanuts
For the Zesty Ginger Dressing
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon (15 g / 0.03 lb) freshly grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves (8 g / 0.02 lb), minced
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
Optional Protein
- 1 lb (450 g) grilled chicken breast, sliced
- 1 lb (450 g) cooked shrimp
- 14 oz (400 g) baked tofu, cubed
Directions
1. Cook the Rice Noodles
Prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and toss gently to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool.
2. Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, garlic, and sriracha until smooth and well combined.
3. Prepare the Vegetables
Slice, shred, and chop all the vegetables and fresh herbs into bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
4. Assemble the Salad
In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled rice noodles, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, bean sprouts, avocado, green onions, cilantro, and mint. Add your preferred protein if using.
5. Dress the Salad
Pour the ginger dressing over the salad and toss gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
6. Finish and Serve
Sprinkle with chopped roasted peanuts and serve immediately with extra lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- Meal prep tip: Store the dressing separately and toss the salad just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp.
- Protein options: Grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or edamame all work wonderfully in this salad.
- Customize the vegetables: Add snap peas, radishes, mango, or shredded lettuce for extra variety.
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For the best texture, keep the dressing separate until ready to eat.
- Add extra crunch: Top with crispy wonton strips, toasted sesame seeds, or crushed cashews.
- Nutrition: This salad is packed with fresh vegetables, fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins, making it a refreshing and nourishing meal.