Thai Crunch Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Thai Crunch Salad is a fun, healthy, and flavorful way to enjoy fresh vegetables, all wrapped up in a creamy, spicy peanut dressing that’s packed with umami. The salad has great texture from the crunchy cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, and the dressing brings everything together with its rich, spicy flavor. It’s also quick and easy to make, requiring minimal prep time and ingredients, and it’s perfect for meal prep, a summer barbecue, or as a side dish for almost any meal. Plus, it’s customizable to your liking—add your favorite herbs, proteins, or more veggies for a truly personalized dish!

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 4 cups shredded cabbage (green or napa cabbage)

• 1 large carrot, julienned or shredded

• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup sliced cucumber

• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped

• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped (for garnish)

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

For the spicy peanut dressing:

• 1/4 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)

• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for sweetness)

• 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)

• 1-2 teaspoons sesame oil

• 1-2 tablespoons water (to thin the dressing as needed)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Prepare the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, shredded carrot, sliced bell pepper, cucumber, cilantro, and green onions. Toss well to combine.

2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, sriracha, and sesame oil. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until you reach your desired dressing consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—add more honey for sweetness or more sriracha for heat.

3. Assemble the salad: Drizzle the spicy peanut dressing over the prepared vegetables and toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated. If you’re preparing the salad ahead of time, you can store the dressing separately and toss everything together just before serving.

4. Garnish and serve: Top the salad with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and extra cilantro or green onions for garnish. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4-6 people

• Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

• Total Time: 15 minutes

Variations

• Add Protein: To turn this salad into a more filling meal, add grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even a hard-boiled egg on top.

• Add Fruit: Mango or orange slices can add a sweet, tropical flavor to the salad, complementing the spicy peanut dressing beautifully.

• Add Noodles: For a heartier salad, you can toss in some cooked rice noodles, soba noodles, or even glass noodles for added texture.

• Make It Vegan: To make the salad vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey and check that the soy sauce is vegan (or use tamari).

• Add Extra Heat: If you love spice, add fresh chopped chilies, jalapeños, or increase the amount of sriracha in the dressing.

Storage/Reheating

This Thai Crunch Salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the dressing can wilt the vegetables if stored for too long. However, you can prepare the salad and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It’s recommended to keep the dressing separate and toss it just before serving to maintain the salad’s crunch.

The dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. If it thickens too much, simply stir in a little water to reach the desired consistency.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad ahead of time, but it’s best to store the dressing separately until you’re ready to serve it. This will keep the vegetables crisp and fresh.

Can I use a different nut butter?

Yes! While peanut butter is the classic choice, you can substitute it with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor profile.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, if you use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure the other ingredients are gluten-free, this salad is naturally gluten-free.

Can I make the dressing spicier?

Absolutely! You can increase the amount of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to make the dressing spicier. You can also add fresh chopped chilies for an extra kick.

Can I add meat to this salad?

Yes, grilled chicken, shrimp, or even grilled steak would be great additions to this salad. It makes for a complete, protein-packed meal.

Can I use different vegetables in this salad?

Yes! You can add or swap vegetables to your preference. Bell peppers, cabbage, and carrots are the base, but feel free to add things like snap peas, red onions, or even avocado for extra creaminess.

How do I make the dressing thicker?

If you want the dressing thicker, you can add a bit more peanut butter, or reduce the water to make it more concentrated. Alternatively, adding a teaspoon of tahini or coconut milk will also create a richer, creamier dressing.

Conclusion

Thai Crunch Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing is a vibrant, fresh, and bold dish that combines the best of Thai-inspired flavors in one satisfying bowl. Whether you’re looking for a healthy side dish, a light lunch, or a new addition to your salad repertoire, this recipe is a keeper. The crunchy vegetables paired with the creamy, spicy dressing make for a perfect combination that’s both nutritious and delicious. Plus, it’s so easy to customize based on your preferences. Enjoy a taste of Thailand with this refreshing and flavorful salad!