30-Minute Meals/ easy savory/ quick savory/ Salad/ Savory

Thai Salad With Peanut Dressing

July 13, 2022

This refreshing, crunchy Thai salad—prepared either with chicken or as a vegetarian dish—is topped with the most amazing peanut dressing! Perfect on its own for a meal or as a lunch or dinner side dish.

Crunchy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing | prettysimplesweet.com

I wish I was one of those people who loved vegetables, but sadly, I would much rather eat a piece of cake. Still, I’ve learned two things that comfort me: (1) The older you get, the more you like your veggies, and (2) If you dress them up with something like, say, peanut sauce, they actually taste really good!

This Thai salad with peanut dressing is actually a veggie dish I can’t get enough of. It’s crunchy and flavorful and I find myself eating it regularly.

How to make Thai salad with peanut dressing

This is a super easy recipe to throw together.

The veggies

My favorite vegetables for this salad are cabbage, carrots, and cucumber, but I almost always add peppers and scallions, and – of course – chopped peanuts, which add plenty of flavor and crunch. As for the cabbage, I like a mix of white and red for color, but you can just as easily go with only one.

Simply chop everything up and mix together in a bowl.

Add chicken (optional)

In the recipe notes, you’ll find instructions on how to cook chicken for this recipe. Chicken goes amazing with this salad and is actually my preferred version, but for a light first course or vegetarian meal, you can leave it out.

Peanut dressing

This sauce is simply heavenly and full of flavor thanks to the peanut butter. I know it seems like a long list of ingredients, but don’t let it intimidate you!

All you need to do is mix all the ingredients together—nothing too fancy or complicated about it. I’ve tried a few versions of this dressing, and this is the winner, though you can easily adjust it to your liking if you don’t find it perfect as-is.

To make a spicy dressing: Add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.

Crunchy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing | prettysimplesweet.com

Crunchy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing | prettysimplesweet.com

And if you’re into peanut butter, try one of these amazing sweets for dessert:

5 from 2 votes
Crunchy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing | prettysimplesweet.com
Thai Salad with Peanut Sauce
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
YIELD: 4 servings
 

This refreshing, crunchy Thai salad—prepared either with chicken or as a vegetarian dish—is topped with the most amazing peanut dressing!


Ingredients
For the dressing:
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar (rice, white wine)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable/canola oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2-3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • about 1/2 teaspoon salt , to taste (optional)
For the salad:
  • 3 cups shredded white and/or red cabbage
  • 2 medium carrots , peeled and shredded
  • 1 cucumber , sliced or chopped
  • 1 pepper , any color, thinly sliced
  • 2 medium scallions , chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro , chopped
  • 1/3 cup chopped peanuts or cashews
  • For chicken salad – read note at bottom
Instructions
  1. To make the dressing: Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. If you want a thinner dressing, add water, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

  2. To make the salad: Add all ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine.

  3. Just before serving, drizzle peanut dressing over the top and toss to combine. Dressing can also be served on the side to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
Recipe Notes

– For a chicken salad, you’ll need 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Lightly season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the hot skillet. Cook, flipping once, until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Allow to cool, then chop into small pieces and mix into salad.

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7 Comments

  • Reply
    Lakshmi
    September 29, 2016 at 2:36 am

    Nice salad recipe…I will try it soon.

  • Reply
    Violet Douglas
    December 22, 2017 at 4:40 am

    Hi Shiran

    Gave this recipe to my 12-year old daughter to make. We were both blown away by how easy and tasty it was. Thanks so much. This recipe is definitely a keeper. 🙂

    • Reply
      Shiran
      December 22, 2017 at 6:41 pm

      Thank you Violet! I’m glad that you enjoyed it!

  • Reply
    Priya
    January 4, 2020 at 11:57 pm

    Shiran, i just love making the carrot cake using your recipe! Made it for so many tea parties, shared the recipe with a lot more! I am going to try the salad as well. I just love everything on the site!

  • Reply
    Stive
    September 22, 2022 at 7:01 am

    Best content ever. Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply
    angela
    March 14, 2023 at 5:13 pm

    Do you use the natural (no sugar) peanut butter or a peanut butter like JIF?

    • Reply
      Stephanie @ Pretty.Simple.Sweet.
      April 2, 2023 at 4:07 pm

      Hi Angela, A creamy peanut butter like JIF would work best.

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