Thai rice noodle salad

Thai rice noodle salad

This Thai rice noodle salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish combining tender vermicelli noodles with crisp bean sprouts, zesty lime, and a flavorful dressing. It can be enjoyed with either spicy minced pork or seared sesame-crusted steak for a delightful meal.

Vegetarian

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

10 min

Servings

4

Originating from Thailand’s rich culinary tradition, this rice noodle salad captures the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that characterize many Southeast Asian dishes. The vermicelli noodles paired with fresh vegetables and a lime-fish sauce dressing offer a light yet satisfying base that is both healthy and delicious. The addition of either spiced minced pork or succulent sesame-coated sirloin steak gives this salad versatility and makes it suitable for different tastes or occasions. Rice noodle salads like this one are a staple in Thai cuisine, often enjoyed as street food or a quick meal. They bring together fresh herbs, crunchy textures, and bold seasoning to create a dish that pairs beautifully with a refreshing iced tea or a crisp light beer. This recipe’s simple preparation means it can easily complement grilled meats or seafood for a full, vibrant dinner. Perfect for warm weather or anytime you want a meal that’s bursting with flavor and texture, this Thai rice noodle salad also lends itself well to customization. Feel free to add more herbs like cilantro or basil, or adjust the chili level to your preference. It’s a colorful, playful dish that brings the bright spirit of Thailand into your kitchen.

Ingredients

  • 0.5 bag Vermicelli Rice Noodles
  • 200 g Bean Sprouts
  • Zest and juice of 2 Lime
  • 2 -3 tbsp Fish Sauce
  • 1 tsp Muscovado Sugar
  • 1 sliced Red Onions
  • 2 small Lettuce
  • 500 g Minced Pork
  • Knob Ginger
  • Pinch Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 tsp Sunflower Oil
  • 2 tblsp Sesame Seed
  • 1 tsp Oil
  • 4 Sirloin steak
  • 1 sliced Red Chilli

Instructions

Begin by placing the delicate vermicelli rice noodles and crunchy bean sprouts into a heatproof bowl. Pour over boiling water, fully covering the ingredients, and allow them to soak for about four minutes, or until the noodles become tender and soft. Once ready, carefully drain the water and rinse everything under cold running water to halt the cooking process and refresh the textures. Drain again thoroughly, then return the noodles and sprouts to the bowl. Next, prepare a lively dressing by combining the fragrant zest and fresh juice of two limes with two to three tablespoons of savory fish sauce and a teaspoon of muscovado sugar. Stir these ingredients well until the sugar dissolves completely. Pour this vibrant dressing over the noodles along with thinly sliced red onions and crisp shredded lettuce. Toss gently to ensure every strand and leaf is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing. For a protein-packed twist, if using the minced pork option, heat a splash of oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add 500 grams of minced pork along with a small knob of freshly grated ginger and a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to taste. Stir-fry this mixture for about ten minutes until the pork is browned and fully cooked through. Fold the fragrant minced pork into the noodles and serve the salad warm, dividing it evenly between four bowls. Alternatively, for the steak variation, prepare the rice noodle salad as above, but keep it aside. Heat one teaspoon of sunflower oil in a frying pan. Spread two tablespoons of sesame seeds on a plate. Rub one teaspoon of oil over four 175-gram sirloin steaks, then press each steak into the sesame seeds to coat them evenly. Fry the steaks in the pan for about five minutes total, turning halfway, to achieve a beautiful medium-rare finish. Allow the steaks to rest for five minutes before slicing them thinly. Finally, toss a deseeded and shredded red chili and a handful of fresh mint leaves into the noodles for an added burst of heat and freshness. Serve the salad topped with the sliced sesame-crusted steak for a stunning and delicious presentation. Enjoy this delightful fusion of textures and flavors, perfect for a playful and satisfying meal.

Quick Info

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4

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