Spicy Vietnamese Salad With Garlicky Shrimp

This easy Spicy Vietnamese Salad with Garlicky Shrimp recipe is made with vermicelli rice noodles, fresh veggies and topped with a tangy flavorful dressing!

Posted by Christine R.

About

This is a salad, but don’t let it fool you. It makes a great meal and packs a wallop of flavor. There’s rice noodles, spinach, carrots, cilantro, and a flavorful dressing. I like to add avocado – I’m pretty sure avocado is not a traditional Vietnamese ingredient but I personally think it fits in just fine with the rest of them. And to top it off, shrimp sauteed in lots of garlic. I used to live in the Twin Cities and there were a plethora of Vietnamese restaurants to choose from. But, a few years ago I returned to my rural roots. Vietnamese restaurants are a little hard to come by in rural Minnesota. Finding some pho would mean a four hour round trip these days. Luckily, creating some of the staples that you’d find in your favorite Vietnamese restaurants is totally do-able at home. This Spicy Vietnamese Salad with Garlicky Shrimp is definitely one of my favorites!

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You Will Need (15 things)

  • 1 Lb. Shrimp
  • 8 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 tbsp Tbsp. Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Sambal Olek
  • 2 tbsp Tbsp. Lime Juice
  • Water
  • Tbsp. Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Tbsp. Fish Sauce
  • 1 Carrot shredded
  • 2 cup Spinach
  • 1 cup Cilantro
  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 packets Vermicelli Noodles

Steps (4 steps, 25 minutes)

  1. 1

    For the toppings:
    Grate the carrot, chop 2 cups spinach and 1 cup cilantro, and slice 1 avocado into pieces.

  2. 2

    For the dressing:
    Mix 1 Tbsp. Sambal Oelek, the juice of 1 lime, 1/2 cup water, 1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar, and 2 Tbsp. fish sauce in a small bowl. Stir to combine.

  3. 3

    For the shrimp:
    Mince 8 cloves garlic.
    Heat pan to medium high and add 1 Tbsp. cooking oil.

    Saute garlic until fragrant - about 2 minutes.
    Add shrimp to pan and add a pinch of salt and pepper.
    Cook shrimp until opaque - about 2 minutes on each side.

  4. 4

    Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

    Place noodles in bowl and top with spinach, cilantro, carrots, and avocado.
    Pour a few tablespoons of dressing over noodles and vegetables.
    Top with cooked shrimp.