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Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad Recipe

4.9 from 125 reviews

This Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish featuring a creamy peanut butter dressing that perfectly complements crisp romaine lettuce, purple cabbage, and grated carrots. Enhanced with fresh garlic, ginger, and a touch of sweetness, it’s a quick and easy vegetarian salad packed with flavor and texture, topped with chopped peanuts and optional plant-based protein for added richness.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

  • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon agave syrup or brown sugar or maple syrup

Salad

  • 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
  • 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • Chopped peanuts, for garnish (optional)
  • Plant-based protein of your choice (e.g., edamame), optional

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a standard bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, water, minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and your choice of sweetener (agave syrup, brown sugar, or maple syrup) until thoroughly combined and smooth.
  2. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded romaine lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, grated carrots, and chopped cilantro, mixing gently to evenly distribute the ingredients.
  3. Dress and Toss: Pour the prepared peanut dressing over the salad mixture and toss everything together to evenly coat the vegetables with the flavorful dressing.
  4. Serve with Garnishes: Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the salad for a crunchy texture, and add your preferred plant-based protein such as edamame if using. Serve immediately for best freshness.

Notes

  • You can customize the sweetness of the dressing by adjusting the amount of agave, brown sugar, or maple syrup to your taste.
  • For a spicier kick, consider adding a dash of chili flakes or sriracha to the dressing.
  • This salad is best enjoyed fresh as the dressing can cause the greens to wilt if left too long.
  • Edamame or tofu works well as plant-based protein additions to make this salad a complete meal.
  • Chopped peanuts not only garnish the salad but add an essential crunch, but can be omitted for nut allergies.

Keywords: Thai peanut salad, crunchy salad, vegetarian salad, peanut dressing, healthy salad, no-cook salad, plant-based protein salad