Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing

This Thai Salad is packed with crisp veggies, fresh flavor, and the most irresistible creamy Thai peanut dressing! It’s the perfect mix of crunchy, colorful and satisfying making it great for lunch, dinner, potlucks, BBQs or meal prep. Every bite is loaded with bold flavor and just the right balance of savory, sweet and tangy goodness.

Looking for more easy salad recipes? Try these favorites: Chickpea Salad, Peach Burrata Salad and this Berry Salad!

Thai Salad Recipe

This Thai Salad recipe is a crisp, colorful salad bursting with bold, fresh flavors and a delightful crunch in every bite. It’s a salad that I crave all summer long and is so easy to make! Perfect for busy weeknights, lunches, or potlucks!

A vibrant mix of shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, cucumber, jalapeño, green onions and fresh cilantro comes together with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds and roasted peanuts for a satisfying texture.

The creamy homemade Thai peanut dressing coats every crunchy bite with sweet and savory flavor while the fresh herbs and veggies keep it light and refreshing. It’s light yet satisfying and works beautifully as a side dish, lunch or even dinner with added protein (grilled chicken or shrimp are our top picks!). This Thai Salad really does check all the boxes!

One of the best things about this salad is how versatile it is. You can prep the ingredients ahead of time for easy lunches throughout the week or customize it with your favorite vegetables and toppings. The homemade Thai peanut dressing ties everything together with bold flavor and turns simple ingredients into something truly crave-worthy.

Thai Peanut Dressing

Thai Peanut Salad Dressing is one of of my very favorite salad dressings of all time and it is the perfect match to this summer Thai Salad. It’s sweet yet savory and beautifully dresses the cabbage, cucumber and carrots making this salad entirely irresistible and so delicious.

The creamy, zesty peanut dressing is made with rich peanut butter, tangy rice vinegar, savory fish sauce, soy, honey, a touch of ginger, garlic with a kick of sriracha. Feel free to customize to your liking!

Why You’ll Love This Salad

This Thai Salad is the perfect combination of fresh ingredients and big flavor. Every bite is crunchy, creamy, and incredibly satisfying while still feeling light and refreshing. Light salads that I can serve for a quick meal or as a side dish are a must-have for summer and this is definitely one of our favorites! Here’s why we love it so much:

• Big Bold Flavor: The peanut butter dressing is creamy, savory, tangy, and slightly sweet for the perfect balance of flavor.
• Loaded With Texture: Crisp cabbage, crunchy vegetables, and optional toppings like peanuts or wonton strips make every bite exciting.
• Easy To Customize: Swap in your favorite veggies, proteins, or toppings to make it your own.
• Perfect For Meal Prep: The salad ingredients hold up well making this a great make-ahead lunch option.
• Light Yet Filling: Fresh vegetables and a rich dressing create a satisfying meal without feeling heavy.
• Thai Peanut Salad Dressing: Sure, the salad is great but what makes it amazing is the Thai Peanut Salad Dressing – it’s a flavor bomb that is loaded with umami! Sweet, savory, it’s the perfect dressing for this Thai Salad!

Ingredients and Substitutions

If you’re looking for a salad that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful, this Thai Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing delivers every time! The creamy homemade dressing coats every crunchy bite with sweet and savory flavor while fresh herbs and veggies keep it light and refreshing. Perfect for busy weeknights, lunches, or potlucks!

Here’s what you’ll need and as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

For the Salad

• Cabbage: The base of the salad that adds crunch and holds up well to the dressing. Green cabbage, purple cabbage, or a mix of both work beautifully.
• Carrots: Add natural sweetness, vibrant color, and extra crunch.
• Cucumber: Adds coolness and a refreshing bite to balance the rich dressing.
• Green Onions: Provide a mild onion flavor that brightens the salad.
• Cilantro: Adds fresh herb flavor that pairs perfectly with the peanut dressing.
• Peanuts: Optional but highly recommended for extra crunch and nutty flavor.

For the Peanut Butter Dressing

• Peanut Butter: Creates the creamy, rich base of the dressing.
• Soy and Fish Sauce: Adds savory umami flavor and balances the sweetness. Use low sodium to control salt levels but make sure to taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Tamari and gluten-free fish sauce can be used for a gluten-free version.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings brightness and tanginess to the dressing.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: Adds just enough sweetness to round out the flavors.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: Gives the dressing its signature nutty flavor.
• Garlic and Ginger Paste: Add warmth and bold flavor. Buy the paste or use fresh garlic and gingere and use a food processor to blend into a paste.

Storage Information

This salad is excellent for meal prep because the vegetables hold up well in the refrigerator. For best results, store the dressing separately and toss the salad just before serving.

• Refrigerator: Store the undressed salad in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Dressing: Store the peanut dressing separately in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Meal Prep Tip: Portion the salad into containers and keep the dressing in small jars or containers until ready to eat.

Variations To Try

• Top with grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or steak for a heartier meal.
• Add additional sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or red pepper flakes to the dressing for more heat.
• Swap the veggies! Try snap peas, bell peppers, shredded Brussels sprouts, broccoli slaw, or napa cabbage.
• Toss in rice noodles for a more filling salad option.
• Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free salad.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! This salad is perfect for meal prep. Simply store the dressing separately and toss everything together just before serving.

What kind of peanut butter works best?

Creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth dressing, but natural peanut butter can also be used. Just make sure it’s well stirred.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply use maple syrup instead of honey and add tofu or edamame for protein.

Is the Thai peanut dressing spicy?

The dressing is mild as written, but you can easily add heat with sriracha or chili sauce.

What can I serve with this salad?

This salad pairs well with grilled chicken, salmon, spring rolls, or even as a side dish for burgers or sandwiches.

Trish’s Tips

• If you want to save some of this salad for leftovers, don’t toss everything with the dressing. This will make it soggy. Instead, store the dressing and veggies in the fridge separately and toss them together just before serving.
• The dressing is even better after it has marinated together for a couple of hours. For the best flavor- make the dressing in advance.
• If the dressing feels too thick, whisk in a tablespoon or two of warm water until it reaches your desired consistency.
• The dressing will stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days. It may harden up as it cools. Just pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds and shake the jar again to remix everything. 
• If you use low-sodium soy sauce, you may need to add a little salt to the dressing.
• The veggies are best sliced with a mandoline to get uniform veggies.

More Tasty Salads To Try

1. Broccoli Salad
2. Pea Salad
3. Fruit Salad
4. Cucumber Salad
5. Coleslaw