Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Vibrant salad with shredded cabbage, carrots, edamame, and creamy peanut dressing. Easy to prepare vegetarian side or light meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
02 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 1 cup shelled edamame, cooked and cooled
05 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Peanut Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
09 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
15 - 1 clove garlic, minced
16 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water

→ Toppings

17 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
18 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
19 - Lime wedges for serving

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded green cabbage, purple cabbage, shredded carrots, cooked edamame, sliced bell pepper, scallions, and fresh cilantro.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic until well combined. Gradually add water until the dressing reaches a pourable consistency.
03 - Pour the peanut dressing over the prepared vegetables and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Top with chopped roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and additional cilantro as desired.
05 - Serve immediately while vegetables maintain their crunch, accompanied by lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It stays crunchy even after being dressed, so you can prep it ahead without worry.
  • The peanut dressing is so good you'll want to drizzle it on everything from rice bowls to grilled vegetables.
  • It's naturally packed with protein and fiber, making it filling enough to eat on its own.
  • Every bite delivers a satisfying mix of textures and flavors that never gets boring.
02 -
  • If your peanut butter is too thick, the dressing will clump instead of coating smoothly, so add water gradually until it flows like heavy cream.
  • Toss the salad right before serving to keep everything crunchy, or serve the dressing on the side if making it ahead.
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the lime, soy sauce, or sweetness to your liking.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a minute until golden and fragrant, it makes a noticeable difference.
  • Use a microplane to grate the ginger and garlic directly into the dressing for maximum flavor with minimal effort.
  • If you like heat, add a small squirt of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
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