Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Salad with Spicy Lime Dressing

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

A fresh and vibrant rice noodle salad tossed with crisp vegetables and a tangy, spicy lime dressing. This Vietnamese-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs rice vermicelli noodles, carrot, cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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: 5 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and rinse noodles under cold water to stop cooking, then drain well.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 large julienned carrot, 1 medium julienned cucumber, 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
  3. Step 3: Add the cooled noodles to the bowl with vegetables and toss gently to combine.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, 1 minced garlic clove, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil until sugar dissolves and dressing is well combined.
  5. Step 5: Pour dressing over noodle and vegetable mixture, tossing gently until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/3 cup chopped peanuts over the salad just before serving for crunch and garnish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Salad with Spicy Lime Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (20 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Salad with Spicy Lime Dressing?

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 Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Salad with Spicy Lime Dressing?

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 Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Salad with Spicy Lime Dressing 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Salad with Spicy Lime Dressing?

Vietnamese salads 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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