Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this Juicy Authentic Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad, ready in just 15 minutes. This refreshing dish combines succulent shrimp with a bold, tangy dressing featuring Thai chili paste, fresh herbs, and zesty lime, creating a perfect balance of spicy, sour, and savory notes. Ideal for a light lunch or quick dinner, it’s served on a crisp lettuce base with optional jasmine or sticky rice to make it a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Protein
- 1 pound shrimp (use pre-cooked for quick prep)
Dressing and Flavorings
- 2 tablespoons Nam Prik Pao (Thai chili paste) (or swap with sriracha)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (can use honey or agave syrup)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian option)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh is best)
Herbs and Aromatics
- 2 stalks green onion (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons shallots (sliced)
- 1/4 cup mint (optional for freshness)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemongrass (chopped)
- 4 leaves kaffir lime leaves (chopped)
Serving Base
- 4 leaves lettuce (for a crispy base)
- 1 cup rice (optional, jasmine or sticky)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: If using pre-cooked shrimp, drain and rinse under cold water if needed. If raw, peel and devein, then cook by boiling or sautéing for about 3-5 minutes until pink and opaque. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine the Nam Prik Pao (or sriracha), minced garlic, sugar, fish sauce (or soy sauce), and fresh lime juice. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are fully incorporated to create a spicy, tangy dressing.
- Prepare the Herbs and Aromatics: Chop the green onions, slice the shallots, and finely chop the mint, cilantro, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. Add these fresh herbs and aromatics to the dressing and mix thoroughly to infuse the flavors.
- Toss the Salad: Add the cooked shrimp into the bowl with the dressing and herbs. Gently toss all ingredients together to ensure the shrimp are well coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Plate the Salad: Arrange the lettuce leaves on serving plates as a crisp base. If desired, serve the salad alongside or over a cup of cooked jasmine or sticky rice to make the dish more substantial.
- Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with a few extra herbs if preferred and serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors of this authentic Thai salad.
Notes
- Using pre-cooked shrimp saves time, but fresh, raw shrimp can be cooked quickly by boiling or sautéing.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute fish sauce with soy sauce and omit shrimp in favor of tofu or mushrooms.
- If kaffir lime leaves are hard to find, lime zest can be used as an alternative for citrus aroma.
- Adjust the amount of chili paste or sriracha according to your spice preference.
- Serving with jasmine or sticky rice makes this salad a full meal.
- Fresh herbs like mint and cilantro add brightness but can be omitted based on availability.
