Zesty Pad Thai Salad
This Zesty Pad Thai Salad is a vibrant and refreshing twist on the classic Pad Thai, inspired by a recipe from Good Housekeeping. By leaving out the grilled chicken and substituting with a colorful mix of vegetables, this salad shines with bright flavors and crunch. Perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish, the rice noodles are tossed with green onions, shredded carrots, and radishes, all dressed in a tangy, sweet lime vinaigrette. Finished with a sprinkle of chopped salted peanuts for crunch, this salad is not just delicious but also low in cholesterol, making it a healthy and satisfying choice for any meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
rice noodles
6 ounces (cooked and drained)
green onions
6 (sliced)
soy sauce
2 tablespoons (n/a)
lime juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
brown sugar
2 tablespoons (n/a)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (n/a)
cider vinegar
1 tablespoon (n/a)
watercress
2 cups (washed and chopped (or use spring mix))
carrot
1 cup (shredded)
radishes
5 (sliced into half-moons)
salted peanuts
1/3 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, rinse them under cold water until cool and then drain well. Cut the noodles apart to prevent them from sticking.
2
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, cider vinegar, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice noodles, sliced green onions, shredded carrots, watercress (or spring mix), and sliced radishes.
4
Pour the dressing over the noodle and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
5
To serve, divide the salad among plates or bowls and top with the chopped salted peanuts for an added crunch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Pad Thai Salad?
Zesty Pad Thai Salad is a refreshing, vibrant twist on the classic Pad Thai, featuring rice noodles tossed with fresh vegetables like carrots and radishes in a tangy lime vinaigrette.
Is this Pad Thai salad vegetarian?
Yes, this version of the recipe is vegetarian as it omits meat and uses a plant-based dressing.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 main ingredients including noodles, vegetables, and dressing components.
What type of noodles are used?
This recipe uses 6 ounces of rice noodles.
How do I prevent the rice noodles from sticking together?
After cooking, rinse the noodles under cold water until cool, drain well, and cut them apart to prevent sticking.
What vegetables are included in the salad?
The salad includes sliced green onions, shredded carrots, watercress (or spring mix), and sliced radishes.
Can I substitute watercress?
Yes, you can use spring mix if watercress is unavailable.
What makes the dressing 'zesty'?
The zestiness comes from a combination of fresh lime juice, cider vinegar, and soy sauce.
Is this recipe low in cholesterol?
Yes, this salad is a heart-healthy choice that is low in cholesterol.
What kind of nuts provide the crunch?
The salad is topped with 1/3 cup of chopped salted peanuts.
What type of oil should I use for the dressing?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
How should I prepare the radishes?
The radishes should be sliced into half-moon shapes.
What sweetener is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to balance the acidity.
Is there soy sauce in the dressing?
Yes, the recipe requires 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
How many green onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 6 green onions, sliced.
Is this dish served warm or cold?
This dish is served cold, making it a refreshing option for lunch or side dishes.
How much cider vinegar is used?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar.
What is the first step in making the dressing?
Whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, cider vinegar, and salt in a small bowl.
Do I need to cook the vegetables?
No, the carrots, radishes, and green onions are used raw to maintain their crunch.
Can I add protein to this salad?
While this version is vegetarian, you can easily add grilled chicken or shrimp if desired.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is classified as an easy recipe that is perfect for a quick lunch.
How much lime juice is required?
You will need 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice.
How much carrot is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of shredded carrot.
How many radishes are used?
The recipe calls for 5 radishes.
How is the salad assembled?
Combine the noodles and vegetables in a large bowl, pour the dressing over them, and toss gently.
When should I add the peanuts?
The chopped salted peanuts should be added as a topping just before serving.
What size should the carrots be?
The carrots should be shredded for better integration into the salad.
Does the dressing require salt?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/8 teaspoon of salt in the dressing whisk.
Is this recipe suitable for a side dish?
Absolutely, it works well as either a light main meal or a flavorful side dish.
Where did the inspiration for this recipe come from?
This recipe was inspired by a dish from Good Housekeeping.