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Once you try this Thai chili shrimp salad, you'll be craving it constantly! The juicy shrimp with sweet tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, fresh herbs, coconut flakes, and the best Thai chili dressing is an unbeatable combination!
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What makes this recipe special
The other week, I went to visit one of my favorite Japanese restaurants. Unfortunately, they had a sign on their door that said they had a vermin infestation. My heart sank. Luckily, there was a new Thai restaurant next door that looked promising. I ordered a few items, not expecting much, but when the food arrived, I was blown away.
Everything was absolutely incredible. I loved one of the dishes so much, I had to recreate it. This Thai chili shrimp salad is based on the restaurant's pla goong, and is loaded with shrimp, fresh vegetables, and the most delicious Thai chili dressing. And I have to admit, my version is pretty darn close to the restaurant's dish!
For more Thai dishes based on my favorite restaurants, check out this Thai crab stuffed shrimp, Thai cabbage rolls, and Thai chicken karaage!
Ingredients
- Fish sauce: Provides a rich umami flavor and a salty tang to the salad dressing.
- Thai chili jam (nam prik pao): A Thai chili paste made from roasted chilies, garlic, shallots, and sometimes, shrimp paste, sugar, and tamarind. This jam adds a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor to the salad dressing.
- Thai chili peppers: Known for their intense heat, they add a spicy kick.
- Lemongrass: Imparts a fresh, citrusy aroma and flavor. If you can't find lemongrass, use lemon zest instead.
- Shrimp: Its mild flavor allows it to absorb the spicy, tangy, and savory notes from the dressing.
- Herbs: Mint and cilantro add bright, fresh flavors to the salad. If you dislike either one, you can substitute it with Thai basil, scallions, or extra mint or cilantro.
Substitutions and variations
- Protein: You can substitute shrimp for another protein, such as grilled chicken, salmon, or steak.
- Vegetables: You can add more vegetables such as shredded carrots, chopped bell peppers, avocado, or chopped cabbage.
- Nut-free: You can omit the peanuts or substitute them with another nut-free topping, such as sesame seeds or crispy wontons.
Recipe
Thai Chili Shrimp Salad
Ingredients
Thai chili salad dressing
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons Thai chili jam nam prik pao
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Thai chili peppers chopped
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced lemongrass
Thai chili shrimp salad
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound shrimp peeled, deveined, and butterflied
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 small cucumber sliced
- ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ¼ cup chopped mint
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup toasted coconut
- ¼ cup crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Make salad dressing. Whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, Thai chili sauce, brown sugar, and olive oil until sugar is dissolved. Combine Thai chili, shallots, and lemongrass in a bowl and pour dressing on top. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add shrimp and cook until pink and firm. Season shrimp with salt and pepper and pour half of the dressing, tossing to coat. Simmer for 1 more minute, then remove from heat.
- Assemble salads. Place romaine lettuce on plates and top with sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, carrots, mint, and cilantro. Place shrimp on top and garnish with toasted coconut and crushed peanuts. Serve with extra dressing on the side.
Notes
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Make salad dressing
This Thai chili shrimp salad seems so simple, but the flavors are anything but. The secret behind the salad? It's all about the dressing, or to be more specific, the Thai chili jam.
Nam prik pao is a common ingredient found in Thai cooking. This chili paste is both spicy and sweet and can be used for stir-fries, rice, or, in this case, salad dressing.
I bought a jar of nam prik pao from an Asian market, but you can also make it yourself!
Combine the chili jam with the remaining dressing ingredients, including lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, and olive oil. Then, pour the ingredients over the shallots, Thai chili, and lemongrass, and let it rest for 10 minutes. If you want a milder dressing, omit the Thai chili peppers.
Step 2: Prepare shrimp
Meanwhile, heat a large sauté pan and cook the shrimp. I butterflied the shrimp to let them cook faster, but you can keep them whole. You can also cook the shrimp on the grill to get a great char flavor.
If you're not a fan of shrimp, swap it out for chicken, tofu, salmon, or really any other protein.
Once cooked, pour half of the dressing on top and toss it to combine. Let the shrimp absorb those flavors.
Step 3: Assemble salad
Next, assemble the fresh ingredients for the salad into bowls, including chopped romaine, sliced cucumber, carrots, fresh herbs, and halved cherry tomatoes. If you want to bulk up the Thai chili shrimp salad, you can also add avocado, sliced bell peppers, or even blanched snap peas.
Top the salad with the shrimp and finish it with toasted coconut and crushed peanuts. Serve the Thai chili shrimp salad with extra dressing and go to town!
This might be one of the most flavorful salads I have ever created. And I suppose it's all thanks to my favorite Japanese restaurant closing. The silver lining!
For another amazing Thai shrimp recipe, check out this Thai red curry pasta with sweet chile shrimp!
Make-ahead and storage
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the salad dressing up to 3 days in advance. If preparing this salad for meal prep, keep the shrimp separate from the fresh ingredients.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store salad dressing separately from the salad.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use pre-cooked shrimp. Just toss them in the dressing to coat and warm them slightly in the pan if desired.
To reduce the spiciness, you can use fewer Thai chili peppers or remove the seeds before chopping. Additionally, you can omit the Thai chili peppers in the dressing.
Yes, you can grill the shrimp for a smoky flavor. Skewer the shrimp and grill over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and firm.
More Thai-inspired recipes
Looking for more Thai dishes? Try these:
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