This refreshing prawn and pomelo salad is a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. The juicy pomelo pairs beautifully with the succulent prawns, fresh herbs, and crunchy vegetables, all brought together by the vibrant nuoc mam dressing. A perfect dish for a light meal or a flavorful appetizer.

Prawn and Pomelo Salad recipe

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Prep Time
30min
Cook Time
0min
Total Time
30min

Ingredients

4 Servings
(1 serving = 1 portion of salad)

Salad

  • small pomelo
    small pomelo
    1
  • cooked medium prawns (shrimp), peeled and deveined
    cooked medium prawns (shrimp), peeled and deveined
    12
  • mint, leaves picked
    mint, leaves picked
    1bundle
  • Vietnamese mint, leaves picked
    Vietnamese mint, leaves picked
    1bundle
  • Thai basil, leaves picked
    Thai basil, leaves picked
    2sprigs
  • long red chillies, deseeded and julienned
    long red chillies, deseeded and julienned
    2
  • Lebanese (short) cucumbers, halved lengthways and sliced on an angle
    Lebanese (short) cucumbers, halved lengthways and sliced on an angle
    2
  • fried shallots
    fried shallots
    2tbsp

Nuoc mam dressing

  • garlic, finely chopped
    garlic, finely chopped
    2clove
  • bird's eye chillies, finely chopped or sliced
    bird's eye chillies, finely chopped or sliced
    3
  • fish sauce
    fish sauce
    150mL
  • white vinegar
    white vinegar
    100mL
  • caster (superfine) sugar
    caster (superfine) sugar
    140g
  • garlic, minced
    garlic, minced
    2clove
  • bird’s eye chilli, thinly sliced
    bird’s eye chilli, thinly sliced
    1

Pickled carrot and daikon

  • white vinegar
    white vinegar
    150mL
  • caster (superfine) sugar
    caster (superfine) sugar
    100g
  • carrots, cut into matchsticks
    carrots, cut into matchsticks
    1000g
  • daikon (white radish), cut into matchsticks
    daikon (white radish), cut into matchsticks
    300g

How to make Prawn and Pomelo Salad

Prepare the pomelo

  1. Step 1

    Peel the rind from the pomelo and break the fruit in half. Individually peel the skin from each segment and gently pull the flesh out to avoid bruising. Slice the segments into bite-sized pieces.

Make the dressing

  1. Step 1

    Place all the ingredients except for the minced garlic and thinly sliced chilli, along with 200 mL water, in a bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves.

  2. Step 2

    Add 150 mL of the sauce to a small bowl with the remaining garlic and chilli. Whisk to combine.

Assemble the salad

  1. Step 1

    Combine all the salad ingredients except the fried shallots in a large bowl.

  2. Step 2

    Toss through the nuoc mam dressing, then transfer to a large serving plate or bowl.

  3. Step 3

    Top with the fried shallots and serve.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

255.1kcal (12.76%)

Protein

1.9g (3.9%)

Carbs

60.1g (21.85%)

Sugars

45.1g (90.26%)

Healthy Fat

1.3g

Unhealthy Fat

0.3g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

  1. Ensure the pomelo segments are peeled carefully to avoid bruising and maintain their texture.

  2. Prepare the nuoc mam dressing in advance and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks for convenience.

  3. Use fresh herbs for the best flavor and aroma in the salad.

FAQS

  1. Can I use grapefruit instead of pomelo?

    Yes, you can substitute pomelo with grapefruit for a similar tangy flavor, though pomelo is sweeter and less bitter.

  2. How long can the nuoc mam dressing be stored?

    The dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks in an airtight container.

  3. Can I make this salad vegetarian?

    Yes, you can replace prawns with tofu or mushrooms and use a vegetarian fish sauce alternative.

  4. What is the best way to peel a pomelo?

    Peel the rind, break the fruit in half, and carefully peel each segment to avoid bruising the flesh.

  5. Can I prepare the pickled carrot and daikon in advance?

    Yes, the pickled carrot and daikon can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the fridge for added convenience.

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Chef Miška Tolj-Turkić

(@chefmiska)

Chef Miška Tolj-Turkić is a Croatian/Australian dual citizen, born in Western Australia, who's families migrated from Croatia in the 1920s. Originally raised in the lush

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