Dinner

Prawn & Pink Grapefruit Noodle Salad Recipe

ByJack Voss November 19, 2025November 19, 2025

Introduction

This vibrant prawn and pink grapefruit noodle salad is a refreshing blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Light yet satisfying, it combines fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and tender prawns with a zesty dressing for an easy dish perfect for warm days or light meals.

The image shows two white bowls filled with a colorful shrimp noodle salad placed on a white marbled surface. Each bowl contains thin white rice noodles as the base layer, topped with pink shrimp scattered throughout. Bright green cucumber slices and vibrant orange carrot strips add fresh color and crisp texture above the noodles. There are red chili slices and chopped green onions spread across, with fresh green herbs like cilantro and mint leaves resting on top. The overall look is fresh, light, and vibrant. A woman's hand holds chopsticks above one bowl, ready to eat. The scene is softly lit and very clean. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

200g thin rice noodles (vermicelli)
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp fish sauce
Juice of 1 lime
2 tsp palm sugar or soft brown sugar
1 large red chilli, ½ diced, ½ sliced
2 pink grapefruits, segmented
½ cucumber, peeled, deseeded and thinly sliced
2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
3 spring onions, thinly sliced
400g cooked large prawns
Large handful mint, leaves picked
Large handful coriander, leaves picked

Instructions

Step 1: Place the rice noodles in a bowl and break them up slightly. Pour boiling water from the kettle over the noodles to cover and leave to soak for 10 minutes until tender. Drain well and rinse under cold running water to cool.
Step 2: In the same bowl, lightly squash the cherry tomatoes using the end of a rolling pin or back of a spoon. Add the fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, and the diced half of the red chilli. Stir and taste to balance the sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, adjusting if needed.
Step 3: Toss the drained noodles with the dressing, then add the grapefruit segments, cucumber slices, carrot matchsticks, spring onions, cooked prawns, mint, and coriander. Season with salt and pepper to taste and mix gently.
Step 4: Divide the salad among six serving dishes and sprinkle the sliced chilli on top before serving for a fresh, spicy finish.

Tips & Variations

Perfect your dressing by tasting it before mixing through the noodles. Adjust with extra grapefruit juice, fish sauce, or sugar to suit your palate.
For added crunch, sprinkle roasted peanuts or cashews just before serving.
Swap prawns for cooked chicken or tofu for a different protein option.

Storage

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The noodles may absorb the dressing and soften further, so for best texture, keep the dressing and salad components separate until ready to serve. Reheat is not recommended as this salad is best enjoyed fresh or chilled.

How to Serve

The image shows two white bowls filled with a fresh shrimp noodle salad, placed on a white marbled surface with a light cloth napkin beside them. Each bowl contains thin white rice noodles at the base, topped with pink cooked shrimp, bright green avocado slices, thin orange carrot sticks, translucent red chili slices, and fresh green herbs including mint and cilantro. The ingredients are mixed but still clearly visible as separate layers, making the dish look colorful and vibrant. Wooden chopsticks are placed behind the bowls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular grapefruit instead of pink grapefruit?

Yes, you can substitute regular grapefruit if pink is unavailable, though the salad may be slightly less sweet and more tart. Adjust sugar in the dressing accordingly for balance.

How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?

Soaking the noodles until just tender, then rinsing under cold water and draining thoroughly helps prevent sticking. Tossing them with the dressing right after draining further keeps them separated and flavorful.