Simple Thai Salad Peanut Sauce (Print Version)

Fresh Thai-style salad with crunchy vegetables and creamy peanut dressing, ready in just 15 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Vegetables

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

→ Garnish

07 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

→ Peanut Sauce

08 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
09 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
10 - 2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
11 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
13 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1-2 tbsp warm water (to thin, as needed)
16 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes or a dash of sriracha (optional, for heat)

# Directions:

01 - Shred the green cabbage and carrots, slice the red bell pepper into thin strips, julienne the cucumber, and thinly slice the green onions. Place all prepared vegetables in a large salad bowl.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, and chili flakes (if using) until well combined.
03 - Add warm water one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously after each addition, until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
04 - Drizzle the prepared peanut sauce evenly over the vegetables. Gently toss the salad to coat all ingredients thoroughly with the sauce.
05 - Top the salad with freshly chopped roasted peanuts and additional cilantro leaves. Serve immediately while vegetables remain crisp.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The peanut sauce comes together in two minutes and makes literally anything taste better
  • You can prep all the vegetables ahead and the crunch stays perfect for hours
02 -
  • The sauce will thicken as it sits so add another splash of water if needed before serving
  • Do not dress the entire salad if you are planning to have leftovers or it will get soggy
03 -
  • Toast your own peanuts in a dry pan for three minutes and the flavor is worlds better
  • Let the dressed salad sit for five minutes before serving so the flavors meld together

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