Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant salad with shredded vegetables and edamame in creamy peanut dressing. Ready in 20 minutes.

# What You 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 for gluten-free option
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed 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 as needed

→ Toppings

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine green cabbage, purple cabbage, carrots, edamame, bell pepper, scallions, and cilantro.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Add water gradually until dressing reaches pourable consistency.
03 - Pour peanut dressing over vegetables and toss well to coat evenly.
04 - Transfer to serving platter or individual bowls. Top with roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, and extra cilantro if desired.
05 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch that wakes up your whole palate.
  • The peanut dressing clings to every shred of vegetable without weighing anything down.
  • It comes together in twenty minutes with no heat required.
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day once the flavors settle in.
02 -
  • If your peanut butter is too thick, the dressing will clump instead of coat, so thin it out until it moves like heavy cream.
  • Letting the salad sit for even five minutes before serving lets the flavors marry and the cabbage soften just slightly.
  • Always taste the dressing before pouring, you might want more lime or a pinch more sweetness depending on your peanut butter brand.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for thirty seconds to unlock their full nutty aroma.
  • Use a microplane to grate the ginger and garlic for a smoother, more integrated dressing.
  • If the dressing thickens in the fridge, whisk in a splash of warm water to bring it back to life.
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