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Thai Peanut Salad
Some salads feel like a chore to eat. This one isn’t that. It’s crunchy, a little spicy, a little sweet, and the peanut dressing is so good you’ll want to put it on everything else in your fridge too. I make this at least once a week in the summer because it comes together fast and never feels boring.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The texture is what gets people first. You’ve got crisp cabbage, crunchy carrots, and toasted peanuts all in one bite, and it never goes soggy the way lettuce-based salads do. That means leftovers actually stay good.
It’s also genuinely quick. Once your veggies are shredded, the whole thing takes maybe 15 minutes from start to finish, including the dressing. No stove required if you don’t want one.
And the flavor just works. Salty, sweet, tangy, a little heat — it hits every note, and it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant, not something thrown together on a Tuesday.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The base is simple: shredded cabbage (I like a mix of green and purple for color), shredded carrots, and something crunchy like bell pepper or snap peas. Don’t stress about exact ratios here — use what looks good at the store.
For the dressing, peanut butter is doing the heavy lifting, so use a natural one if you can, since it blends smoother and tastes less sweet. You’ll balance it with soy sauce, lime juice, a touch of honey or brown sugar, and some garlic and ginger for kick. A splash of rice vinegar brightens the whole thing up.
Fresh herbs make a real difference here — cilantro especially, though mint is lovely too if you have it. And don’t skip the peanuts on top. Roughly chopped, toasted if you have five extra minutes, they add the crunch that makes this salad feel special instead of just healthy.
If you want to make it a full meal, grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu all work beautifully tossed in.
Tips for the Best Results
Whisk your dressing in a separate bowl before adding it to the veggies. This way you can taste and adjust — more lime if it needs brightness, more honey if it’s too sharp — without drowning the salad.
Don’t dress the whole salad if you’re not eating it all right away. Keep the dressing on the side and toss individual portions as you go. The cabbage holds up well, but it still tastes best fresh-dressed.
Toast your peanuts in a dry pan for a couple minutes before chopping them. It sounds like a small step, but it wakes up the flavor in a way raw peanuts just don’t have.
Storage and Reheating
This salad is one of the rare ones that actually stores well, thanks to the sturdy cabbage base. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
There’s no reheating needed here since it’s meant to be served cold or at room temp. If you added warm protein like grilled chicken, just let it cool a bit before tossing it in so it doesn’t wilt the veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, and honestly it’s a great make-ahead dish. Prep the veggies and dressing separately up to 2 days in advance, then toss together right before serving.
Is Thai peanut salad supposed to be spicy?
It has a gentle warmth from the ginger and optional chili, but it’s not fiery. Add sriracha or red pepper flakes if you want more heat, or leave them out entirely.
What can I use instead of peanut butter?
Almond butter or sunflower seed butter both work if you need a peanut-free version, though the flavor will shift slightly. Sunflower seed butter is a solid choice for nut allergies.
Can I turn this into a full dinner?
Definitely. Add grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even shredded rotisserie chicken to make it more filling, and serve it alongside some rice if you want extra substance.
product: A wide, sharp mandoline slicer or box grater for quick, even shredding of cabbage and carrots.
Thai Peanut Salad
A crunchy cabbage and carrot salad tossed in a sweet, tangy, spicy peanut dressing.
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
- 2 medium carrots, shredded
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons warm water, as needed
Instructions
- Step 1. Shred the cabbage and carrots and place in a large bowl.
- Step 2. Add the sliced bell pepper and chopped cilantro to the bowl.
- Step 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger.
- Step 4. Add warm water a tablespoon at a time until the dressing reaches a pourable consistency.
- Step 5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.
- Step 6. Top with chopped roasted peanuts before serving.
