Description
This Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad is a vibrant, fresh dish bursting with bold flavors of lime, fish sauce, and spicy chili paste. Quick to prepare, it features tender poached shrimp tossed with aromatic herbs like cilantro and mint, crunchy peanuts, and a perfectly balanced sweet, sour, salty, and spicy dressing. Ideal served with jasmine rice or rice noodles, this salad delivers a taste of authentic Thai cuisine in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 5 tablespoons lime juice (from about 3 limes)
- 2 teaspoons lime zest (finely grated)
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons sambal (or chili-garlic paste or Sriracha)
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp (shelled and de-veined)
- 1 large shallot (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup cilantro (leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped; or substitute basil)
- ½ cup mint leaves (roughly chopped)
- ½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts (roughly chopped)
To Serve
- Jasmine rice or rice noodles
Instructions
- Boil Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil to prepare for poaching the shrimp.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, lime zest, fish sauce, sugar, and sambal or chosen chili paste. Taste the mixture and adjust the ingredients to achieve a balance of sour, salty, sweet, and spicy flavors.
- Poach Shrimp: Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and add the shelled and de-veined shrimp to the hot water. Poach the shrimp gently for 2-3 minutes or until just cooked through. Be careful not to overcook them to retain their tenderness.
- Drain and Combine: Drain the shrimp well from the water and immediately add them to the prepared dressing. Toss to coat the shrimp thoroughly with the sauce.
- Add Herbs and Peanuts: Add the thinly sliced shallot, chopped cilantro (or basil), and mint leaves to the shrimp mixture. Toss everything together evenly. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the roughly chopped roasted peanuts on top.
- Serve: Serve the spicy Thai shrimp salad immediately alongside hot jasmine rice or rice noodles to enjoy a flavorful, fresh Thai-inspired meal.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of chili paste according to your spice tolerance.
- Use fresh herbs like cilantro and mint for the authentic aromatic flavor; basil can be used as a substitute if preferred.
- Do not overcook shrimp; poaching off heat ensures they stay tender.
- Can be served as a light main dish or a summer salad side.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the chili paste and fish sauce are gluten-free certified.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: Thai
