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This spicy Thai Shrimp Salad is made with plump, juicy shrimp, fresh herbs and veggies, and drizzled in a deliciously spicy Thai salad dressing. On top of all the deliciousness, it only takes about 10 minutes to make.
Yes. I said 10 minutes. Really, can you go wrong with something that only takes 10 minutes to make?
Perfect for these warm summer months, this light, healthy and refreshing Thai salad recipe (also called Pla Goong) is packed full of flavors like fresh lemongrass, spicy Thai chilies, fish sauce, chili paste, fresh herbs, veggies and juicy succulent shrimp - similar to the ingredients of this favorite crying tiger recipe.
I've never met an easier salad to make. SO EASY. You NEED this in your life.
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Why This Recipe Works
- The shrimp are cooked quickly so they stay tender and juicy.
- Fresh herbs and chopped lettuce act to cool the heat from the spicy Thai dressing.
- The spice in the dressing can be adjusted depending on your desired spice level.
- It can be served before a meal or AS a meal. If serving it as a meal, there are only 2 servings.
To learn a bit more about the ingredients we use in Thai cooking, hope on over to the post Essential Thai Pantry Ingredients.
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Step By Step Instructions
First combine all your dressing ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
Heat the coconut oil in a skillet and add shrimp. Cook them for about 1-2 minutes per side, until they are pink and no longer opaque. Be careful not to overcook them or they will become tough and chewy.
Add the chopped lettuce and tomatoes to a large plate or bowl. In a smaller bowl, add the red onion, shallots, cilantro and mint and mix together well. Sprinkle the lettuce with the herb and onion mixture.
Layer the shrimp on top and drizzle with dressing. This recipe makes 4 appetizer servings or 2 full meal servings.
Expert Tips
- Brown sugar can be substituted for palm sugar if you can't find palm sugar (link to purchase is in the recipe card).
- The shrimp will only need to cook 1-2 minutes per side. They are done when they are no longer opaque.
- Use more or less Thai chilies in the dressing depending on your spice preference. Thai chilies can be very spicy. Find substitutes for Thai chilies.
- Fresh lime juice should always be used. Bottled will not have the same flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Fish Sauce Make my Food Taste Fishy? Definitely not. Don't be scared away by the intense fishy smell. Once you add it to a dish, that fishiness fades away and you are left with an amazingly delicious depth of flavor. This is my all time favorite ingredient to use in cooking!
Try this Fish Sauce Caramelized Pork, Vietnamese Dipping Sauce or Thai Peanut Sauce for more recipes using fish sauce.
Learn more about fish sauce in this article by Bon Appetit, What is Fish Sauce?
Related Recipes
Pad Thai Baked Egg Rolls
Thai Chicken Flatbread Pizza
Instant Pot Thai Red Curry Ramen
Did you make this Thai shrimp salad with Thai salad dressing? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Recipe
Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad (Pla Goong)
Ingredients
- ½ lbs. medium shrimp
- 4 cups chopped lettuce
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
- 2 tsp. mint leaves, chopped
- ¼ red onion, sliced
- 1 shallot, sliced
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
Thai Salad Dressing:
- 3 Thai chilies, diced
- 1-2 tsp. sambal oelek (chili paste)
- 2 tbsp. fish sauce
- 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp. palm sugar
- 1 tbsp. lemongrass paste
Instructions
- Combine the Thai dressing ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Heat 1 tsp. coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and no longer translucent (they should be opaque). Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine the shallot, red onion, cilantro and mint in a small bowl and mix to combine. In a large bowl, add the chopped lettuce. Sprinkle with the herb and onion mixture. Layer the cooked shrimp over top and drizzle with the dressing.
Expert Tips:
- Brown sugar can be substituted for palm sugar if you can't find palm sugar (link to purchase is in the recipe card).
- The shrimp will only need to cook 1-2 minutes per side. They are done when they are no longer opaque.
- Use more or less Thai chilies in the dressing depending on your spice preference. Thai chilies can be very spicy.
- Fresh lime juice should always be used. Bottled will not have the same flavor.
Nutrition
Crissy
I just made this recipe, it was amazing! It tasted just like the "Shrimp Super Salad" I had at my local fave Thai restaurant a couple weeks ago. I mean eerily, this recipe was spot on flavor-wise! A few subs out of necessity included julienned carrots instead of tomato, coconut sugar instead of palm sugar and siracha instead of sambal. I cut back on the Thai chilis a bit because when I tasted one I chopped they were super hot, so I probably used 2. I had to take breaks while eating this dish because of the heat, but no big deal. I used romaine lettuce, but next time I think I'll use iceberg like my local restaurant does, it's great in keeping with the crunch texture theme. They use julienned carrots too. My boyfriend tried it and was bummed he already had a couple of hot dogs earlier, because he loved it too. He said, "bookmark that one"! Done.
Danielle
I'm so glad you liked it!! Thank you for the kind comments 🙂
Debba
I think there's a typo in Step 2 of the instructions. It says cook the shrimp until no longer "opaque," I think that should be "translucent" OR cook until shrimps ARE opaque. Or am I misreading?
Danielle
You are right! Thank you for pointing it out, my brain must have been dreaming that day LOL! I updated it.
Faye Davis
I’ve had a similar salad at a Thai restaurant and always wished I could make it. I certainly will try because this one looks so similar. Thanks for sharing.
Danielle
I hope you try it!
Chef and Steward
This is perfect to add to my Shrimp recipes over the summer! How absolutely gorgeous! Printing.
Danielle
Thanks so much!
Daniela
Absolutely adore your pics and this shrimp salad sounds so good!!! Thanks so much for sharing :)!
Danielle
Thanks so much Daniela!
Jo
If i'm given a salad like this everyday, I'd be more than happy to be eating my salads. Thai shrimp salad looks and sounds delicious!
Danielle
Right? LOL! Thanks Jo 🙂
Michele
WOW! That is a gorgeous looking salad! This is the perfect summer recipe to eat outside with the family. We are shrimp lovers in my house, so this is perfect.
Danielle
Thanks so much Michele!
Ana F
I always crave good thai food and can't wait to make this at home! That marinade looks insane too. So delicious!
Danielle
It's got so much flavor and is so easy to make. Hope you get a chance to make it Ana!
Jacqueline Debono
I'm such a big fan of Thai flavours and this salad looks to-die-for delicious! Pinning for later!
Danielle
Thanks Jacqueline! Hope you get a chance to make it 🙂
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
This Thai Shrimp Salad looks so deliciously good. I wish I could eat that right this minute!
Danielle
Thanks! I love that it's super easy to make too 🙂
Julie
Your photography is beautiful! The shrimp and red onions really pop against the darker background.
Danielle
Thanks so much Julie!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
The marinade for these shrimp sounds amazing! Such a great meal for hot sunny days, can't wait to try it!
Danielle
Thanks Carrie!
Loreto Nardelli
I love anything Thai. The flavors, herbs, and spice play so wonderfully in your mouth and my mouth is watering and I so want to sink my teeth into those succulent shrimp and feel how all the textures and flavor notes play in my mouth. The fact that it only takes 10 minutes is totally a bonus! Great job!
Cheers, Loreto
Danielle
Thai food really is one of the best. So many great flavors!
Jacquelyn Hastert
Shrimp is my weakness! I am always looking for new ways to enjoy them. I love this and how simple, yet flavorful the salad comes out.
Danielle
Thanks Jacqueline!
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
This Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad looks amazing. I wouldn't think of those red onions but I am thinking they will add just the right taste and crunch to the thai shrimp!
Danielle
Thanks Jeannette! The red onions I think add the perfect crunch and flavor. You can add as many or as few as you'd like though 🙂
Swathi
I love spicy kick in the thai shrimp salad. Love this perfect meal any time of the day. Chilies goes well with shrimp.
Danielle
It totally does! Thanks Swathi 🙂