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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
Cheese Curd In Paradise
I love the herby spicy flavors in this salad! I love salads during the summertime because they are fast, and it doesn't heat my entire house to prepare one.
Danielle
Totally! This is great for a summer salad 🙂
Pinelopi Kyriazi
Just Love Thai food! As a Vegan, I will replace the shrimps with tofu! i am sure will taste great!
Danielle
It would be great with tofu!
Ramona
This salad looks so fresh and delicious - definitely saving it. I must make it super fast. The pictures really make me go for it and grab it from the screen. Fabulous recipe.
Danielle
Thanks ramona 🙂
Meghna
I love this spicy Thai shrimp salad because I love every ingredient you used. Bookmarked it to include it in my meal rotations.
Danielle
That's great! I hope you enjoy it!
Julia
Now this recipe is a keeper! Easy, quick and so flavorful! Thanks for inspiration, Danielle 🙂
Danielle
You're welcome Julia!
Courtney | Love & Good Stuff
Fresh, flavourful and easy to prepare - this is a great salad!
Danielle
Thanks Courtney 🙂
Toni
I loved how easy and flavorful this is! Can't wait to make it again!
Danielle
Thanks Toni! Glad you like it!
Kelly Anthony
This thai shrimp salad does looks so light, healthy and refreshing. I'm loving all the fresh flavors of lemongrass, spicy Thai chilies, fish sauce, chili paste, fresh herbs, veggies and my personal favorite shrimp.
Danielle
Thanks kelly!
Healthy World Cuisine
Loving all this fresh deliciousness in this bowl. Super fresh herbs and crunchy perfectly cooked shrimp along with the Thai sour, sweet, spicy and savory makes for one delicious salad. Sharing, of course!
Danielle
I thought this would be something you liked 🙂 Thanks!
Thao @ In Good Flavor
OMG! This does look like the best salad in the world! The shrimp looks flavorful and succulent, and I love lemongrass! It's up there in my favorite flavor profile. I've got to make this!
Danielle
Lemongrass has such a great flavor! Thanks Thao!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
I can totally see why this is your favorite salad, Danielle! I'm pretty sure after I demolish a bowl of this spicy beauty I'll be claiming it as my favorite too! SO fresh and full of flavor! Cheers, friend!
Danielle
Thanks Cheyanne! Love a good spicy salad - and I'm a sucker for Asian flavors 🙂
Tara
Definitely perfect for summer! I love all that green from the fresh herbs and vegetables. Yum!
Danielle
Thanks Tara! The fresh flavors are awesome!
Julia
What a delicious looking salad this is! Perfect for this hot weather!
Danielle
Thanks Julia! It is great for the heat!
Demeter
The flavors in this dish sound so amazing! What a great summer dinner idea!
Danielle
Thanks Demeter! Perfect for these warm days 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
We always have that sambal in the fridge...so freakin' versatile! Wishing this salad was my lunch today, but there's always tomorrow 😉 Big time yum, my friend!
Danielle
I love the sambal so much. I use it on just about everything! Thanks Dawn!
Claudia Lamascolo
those shrimp are fabulous looking. I can see this is an over the top tasty salad I hope I can find some that look that big and pretty!
Danielle
Thanks Claudia! I actually buy the shrimp frozen which is super convenient!