Description
This Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish brimming with bold flavors of lime, fish sauce, and chili. Featuring tender poached shrimp tossed with fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts, it’s a perfect light meal or appetizer served alongside jasmine rice or rice noodles.
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 or basil, roughly chopped)
- ½ cup mint leaves (roughly chopped)
- ½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts (roughly chopped)
Serving
- Jasmine rice or rice noodles
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, lime zest, fish sauce, sugar, and sambal (or preferred chili paste). Stir well and taste, adjusting the balance so it is quite sour with a hint of saltiness, spiciness, and sweetness.
- Poach the shrimp: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and gently add the shrimp to the hot water. Let them poach for 2-3 minutes until just cooked through, being careful not to overcook. Drain the shrimp thoroughly.
- Toss shrimp with dressing and herbs: Add the warm shrimp to the prepared dressing and toss to coat evenly. Add the thinly sliced shallot, chopped cilantro, and mint leaves. Toss everything together gently to combine.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Scatter the chopped roasted peanuts on top and garnish with additional herbs as desired. Serve immediately alongside hot jasmine rice or rice noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Poaching shrimp gently in hot water ensures tender, juicy shrimp without overcooking.
- Adjust the spiciness level by varying the amount of sambal or chili paste according to your heat preference.
- This salad is best served immediately to enjoy the fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts at their peak.
- Jasmine rice or rice noodles complement the salad’s vibrant flavors and add heartiness.
- You can substitute basil for cilantro if preferred for a different herbal note.
