Name: Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 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, brown sugar, or maple syrup; 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce; 2 cups shredded purple cabbage; 2 carrots, grated; ½ cup chopped cilantro; Chopped peanuts (optional, for garnish); Plant-based protein of your choice (optional; e.g., edamame)

Description

This Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad is a vibrant and refreshing plant-based dish featuring a creamy homemade peanut dressing, crisp romaine lettuce, purple cabbage, grated carrots, and fresh cilantro. Perfect for a light lunch or side, it’s topped with crunchy peanuts and an optional protein like edamame for added heartiness. The salad is easy to prepare, combining fresh ingredients with a flavorful peanut sauce that delivers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and sweet notes.

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, 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 (optional, for garnish)
Plant-based protein of your choice (optional; e.g., edamame)

Instructions

Prepare the Peanut 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 the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the shredded romaine lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, grated carrots, and chopped cilantro. Toss these fresh vegetables together to evenly mix.
Dress and Toss the Salad: Pour the prepared peanut dressing over the salad mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients with the flavorful dressing. If desired, sprinkle chopped peanuts on top for extra crunch and add your chosen plant-based protein such as cooked edamame for additional substance and nutrition.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce.
The dressing can be adjusted in thickness by adding more water for a lighter consistency.
Add fresh lime juice for an extra tangy kick if desired.
The salad is best served immediately to keep the vegetables crisp and fresh.
To make it a complete meal, serve with quinoa or rice on the side.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Thai

Keywords: Thai salad, peanut dressing, vegan salad, crunchy salad, plant-based, healthy salad, quick salad recipe