Description
A fresh and vibrant Spring Roll Bowl featuring rice noodles, fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty sweet garlic lime sauce. This dish can be customized with shrimp, tofu, or chicken for added protein, offering a refreshing and flavorful meal inspired by traditional Vietnamese spring rolls, but served conveniently in a bowl.
Ingredients
Sweet Garlic Lime Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup agave or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
Noodles
- 7-8 ounces rice noodles
Herbs and Vegetables
- 1/4 cup basil
- 1/4 cup mint
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 serrano pepper
- 2 carrots
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 2 avocados
Protein (Optional)
- 1 lb shrimp, tofu, or chicken
Instructions
- Sauce Prep: Pulse the garlic, rice vinegar, agave or brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and vegetable oil together in a blender or food processor until smooth and well combined, forming the sweet garlic lime sauce.
- Noodle Prep: Soak the rice noodles in cold water for about 30 minutes until softened. Then briefly transfer them to a pot of boiling water for 1-2 minutes before quickly draining to prevent stickiness.
- Vegetable and Herb Prep: Mince the basil, mint, and cilantro. Slice the serrano pepper thinly. Peel and julienne cut the carrots, red bell pepper, and cucumber for fresh crunch.
- Protein Prep: If using protein, cook your choice of shrimp, tofu, or chicken according to preference—grilled, sautéed, or boiled—until fully cooked.
- Bowl Assembly: Toss the prepared noodles (served hot or cold), fresh herbs, vegetables, chopped peanuts, and avocado with the sweet garlic lime sauce. Add the cooked protein if using, then gently combine everything for a flavorful spring roll bowl.
Notes
- You can easily make this recipe vegan by omitting the fish sauce or replacing it with a vegan alternative like soy sauce or tamari.
- Rice noodles should never be overcooked to avoid mushy texture; soak in cold water first and then briefly boil.
- Serrano pepper adds heat—adjust quantity according to your spice preference.
- Avocado adds creaminess and balances the tangy sauce perfectly.
- Use fresh herbs for maximum flavor—they’re key to the dish’s bright and fresh profile.
