Vietnamese rice noodle salad, also known as "bun", is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is popularly enjoyed in Vietnam and around the world. The dish typically consists of vermicelli rice noodles, fresh herbs, vegetables, and a savory dressing. While the main components of the salad may vary, the dressing is what ties all the flavors together and makes it truly irresistible. In this article, we will share a simple and delicious Vietnamese rice noodle salad dressing recipe that you can easily make at home.
Main Ingredients: Serrano Peppers, Garlic, Rice Vinegar, Brown Sugar
This refreshing and flavorful Vietnamese chicken salad is a perfect summer dish. It’s made with tender chicken, rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing. The combination of textures and flavors will leave you wanting more. The best part? It’s easy to make and can be ready in just 30 minutes.
The key to this dish is the dressing. Made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty. It’s also packed with fresh herbs like mint and cilantro, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor.
For added crunch, I like to top this salad with crushed peanuts and fried shallots. And for a vegetarian option, simply omit the chicken and add in your favorite protein, like tofu or tempeh.
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Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing
Main Ingredients: Peanut Butter, Soy Sauce, Water, Toasted Sesame Oil
This Thai noodle salad is a delicious and colorful dish that will impress your guests. It’s made with a mix of rice noodles, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy peanut dressing. The combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors will leave your taste buds dancing.
The key to this dish is the dressing, which is made with peanut butter, soy sauce, and a touch of Sriracha for some heat. It’s then tossed with the noodles and vegetables, giving them a rich and flavorful coating. And for some added protein, you can top this salad with grilled chicken or shrimp.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or a light dinner. It’s also great for potlucks or BBQs, as it can be made ahead of time and served chilled.
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Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Tahini Dressing
Main Ingredients: Rice Noodles, English Cucumber, Large Carrot, Shallot
This Vietnamese noodle salad is a unique twist on the traditional dish. Instead of the usual fish sauce and lime dressing, this version uses tahini, a creamy sesame seed paste commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. The result is a rich and nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the noodles and vegetables.
The tahini dressing is made with a blend of tahini, garlic, lime juice, and honey, giving it a balance of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors. It’s then tossed with the noodles, vegetables, and herbs, creating a delicious and healthy meal.
This salad is perfect for vegetarians and can be made vegan by omitting the honey in the dressing. It’s also a great option for those with allergies, as it’s free of dairy, gluten, and nuts.
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Vietnamese Summer Roll Salad with Peanut Sauce Dressing
Main Ingredients: Creamy Peanut Butter, Soy Sauce, Sriracha Sauce, Hoisin
This Vietnamese summer roll salad is a deconstructed version of the classic summer roll. It’s made with all the same ingredients, like rice noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs, and shrimp, but instead of wrapping them in rice paper, they’re tossed together in a bowl.
The star of this dish is the peanut sauce dressing. Made with peanut butter, soy sauce, and a touch of honey, it’s a sweet and savory blend that pairs perfectly with the fresh vegetables and herbs. And for added crunch, I like to top this salad with crushed peanuts and fried shallots.
This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and can easily be made vegetarian by omitting the shrimp. It’s also a great option for those with gluten allergies, as it’s made with gluten-free rice noodles.
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Gơi Chay (Vietnamese Vegetarian Salad)
Main Ingredients: Extra Firm Tofu, Vegetable Oil, Fresh Lemon Juice, Soy
Gơi Chay is a traditional Vietnamese salad that is typically served at special occasions, like weddings and holidays. It’s a vibrant and flavorful dish made with a mix of fresh and pickled vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing.
This vegetarian version is made with a mix of crunchy cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers, along with pickled daikon and carrots. The dressing is a blend of rice vinegar, lime juice, and soy sauce, giving it a balance of sweet and sour flavors.
This salad is perfect as a side dish or as a light meal. It’s also a great option for those looking for a healthy and refreshing dish.
This vegan Vietnamese noodle salad is a flavorful and healthy option for those looking for a plant-based meal. It’s made with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing.
The key to this dish is the dressing, which is made with a blend of lime juice, soy sauce, and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. It’s then tossed with the noodles and vegetables, giving them a bright and flavorful coating.
This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and can be easily customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Vietnamese-Style Chicken & Noodle Salad
Main Ingredients: Lime Juice, Rice Vinegar, Honey, Lemongrass, Fish
This Vietnamese-style chicken and noodle salad is a hearty and filling dish that is perfect for a main course. It’s made with tender chicken, rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
The dressing is the key to this dish, and it’s made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor. It’s then tossed with the noodles and vegetables, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Vegan Bún Chay (Vietnamese Noodle Salad)
Main Ingredients: Rice Vinegar, Lime Juice, Coconut Sugar, Mushroom Soy
This vegan version of the traditional Vietnamese dish, Bún Chay, is a flavorful and healthy option for those looking for a plant-based meal. It’s made with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing.
The dressing is made with a blend of lime juice, soy sauce, and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. It’s then tossed with the noodles and vegetables, creating a bright and flavorful coating.
This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Asian Chicken Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
Main Ingredients: Cabbage, Red Bell Pepper, Leaves, Carrots, Beans, Green
This Asian chicken salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for a main course. It’s made with tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy sesame ginger dressing.
The dressing is the star of this dish, made with a blend of sesame oil, ginger, soy sauce, and honey, giving it a balance of sweet and savory flavors. It’s then tossed with the chicken and vegetables, creating a rich and creamy coating.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Pork
Main Ingredients: Pork Tenderloin, Sugar, Fish Sauce, Sesame Oil, Soy
This Vietnamese noodle salad with pork is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a main course. It’s made with tender pork, rice noodles, crunchy vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
The dressing is made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor. It’s then tossed with the noodles, vegetables, and herbs, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
This Vietnamese rice noodle salad is a simple and flavorful dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It’s made with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing.
The dressing is made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor. It’s then tossed with the noodles and vegetables, creating a refreshing and satisfying meal.
This salad is perfect for those looking for a gluten-free option, as it’s made with rice noodles. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
This Vietnamese spring roll salad is a deconstructed version of the classic spring roll. It’s made with all the same ingredients, like rice noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs, and shrimp, but instead of wrapping them in rice paper, they’re tossed together in a bowl.
The star of this dish is the tangy dressing, made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. It’s then tossed with the noodles, vegetables, and herbs, creating a delicious and healthy meal.
This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and can easily be made vegetarian by omitting the shrimp. It’s also a great option for those with gluten allergies, as it’s made with gluten-free rice noodles.
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Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Lemongrass Beef
Main Ingredients: Beef Flap Meat, Rice Noodles, Coconut Oil, Shredded
This Vietnamese noodle salad with lemongrass beef is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for a main course. It’s made with tender beef, rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
The key to this dish is the lemongrass beef, which is marinated in a blend of lemongrass, garlic, and soy sauce, giving it a rich and savory flavor. It’s then grilled and tossed with the noodles and vegetables, creating a delicious and hearty meal.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
This Vietnamese chicken rice noodle salad is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a main course. It’s made with tender chicken, rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
The dressing is the star of this dish, made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor. It’s then tossed with the noodles and vegetables, creating a bright and flavorful coating.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Vietnamese Shrimp Salad with Noodles
Main Ingredients: Jumbo Shrimp, Vegetable Oil, Rose Wine, Fish Sauce, Soy
This Vietnamese shrimp salad is a light and refreshing dish that is perfect for a summer meal. It’s made with tender shrimp, rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
The dressing is made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor. It’s then tossed with the noodles, vegetables, and herbs, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Vietnamese Pickled Vegetable Rice Noodle Salad
Main Ingredients: Rice Noodles, Pickled Vegetables, Fresh Cilantro
This Vietnamese pickled vegetable rice noodle salad is a unique twist on the traditional dish. The pickled vegetables add a tangy and crunchy element to the salad, while the rice noodles and fresh vegetables provide a balance of textures.
The dressing is made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor. It’s then tossed with the noodles, pickled vegetables, and herbs, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal.
This salad is perfect for those looking for a gluten-free option, as it’s made with rice noodles. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Vietnamese Caramelized Pork & Rice Noodle Salad
Main Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Warm Water, Fish Sauce, Lime
This Vietnamese caramelized pork and rice noodle salad is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a main course. The caramelized pork adds a rich and sweet element to the salad, while the rice noodles and fresh vegetables provide a balance of textures.
The dressing is made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor. It’s then tossed with the noodles, pork, and vegetables, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Vegan Bun Chay (Vietnamese Noodle Salad)
Main Ingredients: Extra Firm Tofu, Marinade, Carrots, Daikon, Water
This vegan version of the traditional Vietnamese dish, Bun Chay, is a flavorful and healthy option for those looking for a plant-based meal. It’s made with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing.
The dressing is made with a blend of lime juice, soy sauce, and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. It’s then tossed with the noodles and vegetables, creating a bright and flavorful coating.
This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
Main Ingredients: Rice Noodles, Garlic Clove, Shallot, Fish Sauce, Olive
This Vietnamese rice noodle salad with pickled vegetables is a unique twist on the traditional dish. The pickled vegetables add a tangy and crunchy element to the salad, while the rice noodles and fresh vegetables provide a balance of textures.
The dressing is made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, giving it that signature Vietnamese flavor. It’s then tossed with the noodles, pickled vegetables, and herbs, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal.
This salad is perfect for those looking for a gluten-free option, as it’s made with rice noodles. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
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Bun Bo Xao – Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad
Main Ingredients: Top Sirloin, Lemongrass, Garlic, Fish Sauce, Sugar
This Bun Bo Xao, or Vietnamese beef noodle salad, is a flavorful and hearty dish that is perfect for a main course. It’s made with tender beef, rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
The key to this dish is the beef, which is marinated in a blend of lemongrass, garlic, and soy sauce, giving it a rich and savory flavor. It’s then grilled and tossed with the noodles and vegetables, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
This salad is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
Ingredients for Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad Dressing
The Essential Ingredients:
Fish sauce: Made from fermented fish, this is a staple ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine and adds a savory umami flavor to the dressing.
Lime juice: The tangy and citrusy taste of lime juice helps balance out the flavors in the dressing.
Sugar: A touch of sweetness is added to the dressing to counter the saltiness of the fish sauce.
Garlic: This aromatic ingredient adds depth and complexity to the dressing.
Chili peppers: For a spicy kick, chopped chili peppers are added to the dressing. You can adjust the amount based on your preference for heat.
Optional Ingredients:
Rice vinegar: For a slightly tangier dressing, you can add a splash of rice vinegar.
Sesame oil: A few drops of sesame oil can add a subtle nutty flavor to the dressing.
Cilantro: Chopped cilantro can add a fresh and herbaceous element to the dressing.
Ginger: For an extra layer of flavor, you can grate some ginger into the dressing.
Instructions for Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad Dressing
In a small bowl, mix together fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
Add garlic and chili peppers to the mixture and stir well.
If using, add rice vinegar, sesame oil, and any other optional ingredients and mix well.
Taste the dressing and adjust the flavors according to your preference. You can add more lime juice for tanginess, sugar for sweetness, or chili peppers for heat.
Use the dressing immediately or refrigerate it for later use. Before serving, give it a good stir as the ingredients may have settled.
And that's it! With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can make a delicious Vietnamese rice noodle salad dressing at home. This dressing is not only perfect for bun salad, but it can also be used as a marinade or dipping sauce for other dishes. So go ahead and give this recipe a try and take your Vietnamese cuisine game to the next level.
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