Description
A vibrant and refreshing Asian Noodle Salad combining soft rice noodles, smoky turkey bacon, and crisp fresh vegetables tossed in a zesty apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for a quick, wholesome meal bursting with sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 200g rice noodles
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 tsp sesame oil (natural)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp natural sweetener (such as maple syrup, natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnishes
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: crushed peanuts or cashews
Instructions
- Cook the Rice Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rice noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp and slightly caramelized. Remove from the pan, drain on paper towels, and roughly chop into bite-size pieces.
- Chop the Fresh Vegetables: While the noodles and bacon cool, shred the carrots, thinly slice the cucumbers and red bell pepper, chop the scallions and cilantro finely. Keep all chopped vegetables ready for assembly.
- Make the Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), sesame oil (natural), minced garlic, natural sweetener (natural), salt, and pepper. Adjust flavor balance as desired to achieve a tangy-sweet punch.
- Toss Everything Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled rice noodles, crispy smoked turkey bacon, and fresh vegetables. Pour the dressing over all ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.
Notes
- Cook noodles al dente to maintain a pleasant texture.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time for quick assembly.
- Toss salad gently to avoid breaking noodles.
- Add dressing gradually to prevent sogginess.
- Chill salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days, keeping dressing separate if possible.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking method (stovetop for bacon and noodle boiling)
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Asian noodle salad, rice noodle salad, turkey bacon salad, fresh vegetable salad, healthy lunch, light dinner, tangy dressing
