Vietnamese Citrus and Noodle Salad Recipe : 1 Vibrant Salad For Healthy Food Lovers

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors, and this salad captures that essence beautifully. The combination of juicy citrus fruits, tender rice noodles, crunchy vegetables, and a tangy dressing creates a dish that’s satisfying yet light. It’s a salad that doesn’t just sit on the side of the plate—it takes center stage!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this vibrant salad:

• 200g rice noodles (thin or vermicelli noodles work best)
• 1 grapefruit (peeled and segmented)
• 1 orange (peeled and segmented)
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 cucumber (cut into thin strips)
• 1 carrot (cut into thin strips)
• A handful of fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, basil)
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts (roughly chopped)
• 1 small red chili (optional, for a bit of spice)
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (or honey for a natural sweetener)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Process

1. Prepare the Noodles

Begin by cooking your rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once they’re done, drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep them from sticking together. Set them aside to cool.

2. Segment the Citrus Fruits

Carefully peel and segment the grapefruit and orange. Try to remove as much of the white pith as possible for a sweeter, more enjoyable bite. Cut the segments into smaller pieces if they’re too large.

3. Slice the Vegetables

Julienne(slice into long, thin matchstick-like strips) the cucumber and carrot. The goal here is to create a mix of textures, with the crisp vegetables complementing the tender noodles.

4. Mix the Dressing

In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic. Whisk everything together until the sugar is dissolved. This dressing is where the magic happens—don’t be afraid to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.

5. Assemble the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled noodles, citrus segments, sliced vegetables, and fresh herbs. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.

6. Garnish and Serve

Transfer the salad to a serving dish. Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts and, if you like a bit of heat, the sliced red chili on top. Garnish with a few extra herbs for a pop of color.

Try this recipe out for your next meal, and share it with friends who appreciate fresh and flavorful dishes!