Sour Lemongrass and Tamarind Vietnamese Rice Noodles

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

Fresh rice noodles tossed in a vibrant sour lemongrass and tamarind dressing with crunchy vegetables and herbs. This vietnamese-inspired noodles ready in about 20 minutes pairs rice noodles, tamarind paste, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 15 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 8 oz rice noodles. Cook according to package instructions (typically 4-5 minutes) until tender but still slightly firm. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks until sugar dissolves and mixture is well combined, creating a sour and aromatic dressing.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained noodles with 1 medium julienned carrot, 1 medium julienned cucumber, 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, and 2 tbsp chopped green onions.
  4. Step 4: Pour the lemongrass-tamarind dressing over the noodle mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts and 1/2 tsp chili flakes if using.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately for a fresh, tangy Vietnamese-inspired noodle salad with bright sour notes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sour Lemongrass and Tamarind Vietnamese Rice Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 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 Sour Lemongrass and Tamarind Vietnamese Rice Noodles?

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 noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sour Lemongrass and Tamarind Vietnamese Rice Noodles?

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 Sour Lemongrass and Tamarind Vietnamese Rice Noodles 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 Sour Lemongrass and Tamarind Vietnamese Rice Noodles?

Vietnamese noodles 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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