Thai Salad Peanut Sauce (Printable Version)
Fresh Thai-style salad with creamy peanut sauce. Ready in 15 minutes, perfect for light meals or sides.
# What You Need:
→ For the Salad
01 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
02 - 1 cup shredded carrots
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cucumber, julienned
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
06 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
07 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
→ For the Peanut Sauce
08 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
09 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
10 - 2 tablespoons lime juice
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1–2 tablespoons warm water
16 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or sriracha (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Slice the red bell pepper thinly, julienne the cucumber, and thinly slice the green onions. Place all vegetables in a large salad bowl along with the shredded cabbage, carrots, and fresh cilantro.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and chili flakes if using. Whisk vigorously until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add warm water one tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition, until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency that will coat the salad evenly.
04 - Pour the peanut sauce over the prepared vegetables and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the dressing.
05 - Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts over the top of the salad as a garnish. Serve immediately while the vegetables remain crisp and refreshing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in under five minutes and keeps in the fridge for days
- You can prep all the vegetables ahead and toss everything together when you are ready
02 -
- The sauce thickens as it sits in the refrigerator, so add another splash of water before serving leftovers
- Cabbage releases water as it sits, so dress the salad right before serving or the texture becomes soggy
03 -
- Toast the peanuts in a dry pan for two minutes before chopping to intensify their flavor
- Massage the shredded cabbage with a pinch of salt if you prefer a softer, more tender texture