Thai-Style Crunchy Vegetable Salad

By Kay Chun

Updated Oct. 11, 2023

Thai-Style Crunchy Vegetable Salad
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
20 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Rating
4(800)
Comments
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Inspired by Thai green papaya salad, this vibrant dish boasts a colorful medley of thinly sliced raw veggies; they’re electrified by a lime-and-fish sauce vinaigrette. This recipe builds upon a base of fresh asparagus, which is supercrisp, with a sweet, mildly grassy flavor, and cherry tomatoes. You can combine them with any mix of vegetables that are on hand: Radishes, cucumbers, carrots, snap peas, cabbage and yellow bell peppers are all great additions, each bringing their unique flavor and texture to the party. The just-tossed salad is bright and crunchy, but if you happen to wind up with leftovers, let the vegetables marinate in the dressing overnight and they transform into a pickled side dish that’s delightful in sandwiches or with grilled steak.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2tablespoons lime juice
  • 1tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1tablespoon minced shallot
  • ½teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1bird’s eye or serrano chile, thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and pepper
  • 8ounces asparagus, trimmed, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced at an angle
  • 4ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3cups thinly sliced mixed vegetables (such as carrots, radishes and cucumbers)
  • ½cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, coarsely chopped
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

174 calories; 11 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 619 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, combine oil, lime juice, fish sauce, shallot, garlic and chile; season with salt and pepper. Whisk well.

  2. Step 2

    Add the asparagus, tomatoes and other mixed vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.

  3. Step 3

    Fold in cilantro and serve.

Ratings

4 out of 5
800 user ratings
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Comments

Lee

This dressing is tasty, and versatile, and adaptable. And we love a chopped salad with whatever is available --lately that’s been cucumber, sugar snap peas, radish, red bell pepper, celery. No lettuce necessary, and it keeps well for a week in the frig, so we make a big batch. It makes having raw veg every day very easy!

Dreamy1

Wonderful salad. Consider adding leafy greens, peanuts, a protein (grilled shrimp/chicken, anyone)? BTW, mint is a must. I've been making a version of this dressing for years (Thai Dipping Sauce from Serious Eats). Can be used for so many things. Also, it's adaptable and forgiving even if ingredient ratios are changed (more lime? garlic? fish sauce? It all works). I almost always add sugar to the dressing for balance, and I rarely use oil (don't want/need the added oil flavor). Delicious.

BB

It doesn't even call for an amount of salt and you dont use fish sauce so how can it be too much sodium?

Emily

This salad was a surprising hit at my dinner party! The key is very thin asparagus. I followed others’ suggestions to add fresh mint and nuts - in this case, chopped Thai lime & chili almonds from Trader Joe’s. This was a standout salad that I will make again.

Anna Marie White

Sub scant amt of sesame oil. Add peanuts and mint. Add Daikon, red bell pepper, green onion, arugula

Nancy

I found this recipe to be a bit acid forward and not very balanced. I added some honey, chopped peanuts, and some dried Chinese sausage I had and it was much better!

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