Vietnamese-Style Rice Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lime Dressing

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

A refreshing rice noodle salad tossed with crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy lime dressing inspired by the rich linguistic diversity in the U.S. This vietnamese-inspired noodles (gluten-free) ready in about 20 minutes pairs rice vermicelli noodles, cucumber, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

★ 4.3 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 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. Remove from heat, add 6 oz rice vermicelli noodles, and soak for 5 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp water, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes until sugar dissolves and dressing is balanced between sweet, sour, and salty.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the drained noodles, 1 medium julienned cucumber, 1 large julienned carrot, 1/2 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup chopped fresh Thai basil leaves, and 3 thinly sliced green onions.
  4. Step 4: Pour the lime dressing over the noodle mixture and toss gently until evenly coated and fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to serving plates and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped toasted peanuts on top for crunch and nuttiness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Style Rice Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lime Dressing 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 Vietnamese-Style Rice Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs and 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-Style Rice Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs and 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-Style Rice Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs and 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.

Is Vietnamese-Style Rice Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lime Dressing gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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