Vietnamese Grilled Shrimp Salad

Name: Vietnamese Grilled Shrimp Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 stalk lemongrass, outer leaves removed, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon Sriracha; 2 tablespoons fish sauce (nuoc mam); 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled; 8 to 10 basil leaves, preferably Thai basil; 2 tablespoons light brown sugar; Kosher salt; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on; 8 ounces rice vermicelli; Kosher salt; Leaves from 1 head of red- or green-leaf lettuce; 1 cup shredded carrot; 1 large handful of mung bean sprouts; 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves; 1/2 cup cilantro (leaves and small stems); 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, chopped; Sriracha, for drizzling (optional); 1 recipe Nuoc Cham

Shrimp Vietnamese Vermicelli Lettuce Easy Sriracha

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4 to 6 servings Easy

Total: 50 mins, plus at least 1 hr marinating time Active: 30 mins

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Ingredients (20)

For the shrimp:

1/2 stalk lemongrass, outer leaves removed, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Sriracha
2 tablespoons fish sauce (nuoc mam)
2 medium garlic cloves, peeled
8 to 10 basil leaves, preferably Thai basil
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on

For the salad:

8 ounces rice vermicelli
Kosher salt
Leaves from 1 head of red- or green-leaf lettuce
1 cup shredded carrot
1 large handful of mung bean sprouts
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup cilantro (leaves and small stems)
1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, chopped
Sriracha, for drizzling (optional)
1 recipe Nuoc Cham

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Nutritional Information

Calories553
Fat18.35g
Saturated fat2.21g
Trans fat0.08g
Carbs63.81g
Fiber5.02g
Sugar9.02g
Protein33.38g
Cholesterol214.32mg
Sodium1898.61mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by

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Proof that something light and refreshing doesn’t have to be wimpy on the flavor front. To make this classic Vietnamese salad, you marinate shrimp with lemongrass, Sriracha, fish sauce, garlic, and brown sugar, then cook in a grill pan. Serve them on a bed of rice vermicelli, with lettuce leaves, shredded carrot, bean sprouts, cucumber, aromatic herbs, and sprinkling of chopped peanuts.

Game plan: The shrimp has to marinate for at least 1 hour (longer is better), so plan accordingly.

by Huw Thornton

Tips for Shrimp

Tip

How to Store Shrimp

Shrimp like to breathe, otherwise they start to get smelly. To avoid foul seafood, you’ll first want to store your shrimp in the coldest part of your fridge. If the shrimp was purchased in a bag, open the bag and place a paper towel over the top. Proceed to transfer the bag to a bowl of ice. The shrimp should be okay to use for up to two days.

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Next: How to Freeze Shrimp

Tip

How to Freeze Shrimp

For maximum shelf life, freeze raw shrimp with their heads removed, but shells still intact. Package the shrimp in freezer bags leaving about a quarter of an inch of space at the top. Frozen shrimp can last from three to six months before needing to be discarded.

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Next: How to Thaw Shrimp

Tip

How to Thaw Shrimp

Like fish, frozen shrimp should either be left in the refrigerator overnight or thawed in a bowl of cold water. Never re-freeze shrimp. Most seafood is usually frozen prior to arriving at the grocery store and you don’t want to freeze it for a second time.

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Next: How to Store Shrimp

Instructions

To marinate and cook the shrimp:

1In a blender, combine the lemongrass, Sriracha, fish sauce, garlic, basil, brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and vegetable oil and purée until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape into a medium bowl, add the shrimp, and toss to combine. Cover and set aside to marinate, at least 1 hour and as long as overnight.
2Grill the shrimp just before serving. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp until just done, about 2 minutes per side.

To make the salad:

1Cook the vermicelli according to the directions on the package, or boil in lightly salted water until just soft, about 30 to 45 seconds. Drain and set aside to cool.
2Arrange the lettuce leaves on a large serving platter, followed by the vermicelli, carrot, bean sprouts, and cucumber.
3Place the grilled shrimp on top of the vermicelli and garnish with the mint, cilantro, and chopped peanuts. Drizzle with the optional Sriracha, and serve with bowls of Nuoc Cham.