Sautéed Shrimp and Fresh Herb Rice Vermicelli Bowl

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant Vietnamese rice vermicelli bowl topped with garlicky sautéed shrimp, fresh herbs, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy fish sauce dressing. This vietnamese-inspired healthy bowls ready in about 30 minutes pairs rice vermicelli noodles, large shrimp, peeled and deveined, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles in warm water for 15 minutes until soft, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/4 cup water until sugar dissolves to create the dressing.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  5. Step 5: To assemble, divide 2 cups shredded lettuce and 1 cup bean sprouts among bowls. Add softened noodles on top.
  6. Step 6: Place cooked shrimp over noodles and drizzle generously with the prepared dressing.
  7. Step 7: Garnish each bowl with 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, and 1/4 cup crushed roasted peanuts. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Shrimp and Fresh Herb Rice Vermicelli Bowl take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Shrimp and Fresh Herb Rice Vermicelli Bowl?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice vermicelli noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp and Fresh Herb Rice Vermicelli Bowl?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Shrimp and Fresh Herb Rice Vermicelli Bowl for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sautéed Shrimp and Fresh Herb Rice Vermicelli Bowl?

Vietnamese healthy bowls like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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