Name: Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad (Pla Goong)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/2 lbs. medium shrimp; 4 cups chopped lettuce; 2 tomatoes, (chopped); 1 tbsp. cilantro, (chopped); 2 tsp. mint leaves, (chopped); 1/4 red onion, (sliced); 1 shallot, (sliced); 1 tsp. coconut oil; 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

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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.

salad with shrimp on top in a bowl with chili dressing

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
Step By Step Instructions
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

shrimp, greens, herbs, onions and red peppers in a bowl with chili dressing

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.
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?

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Did you make this Thai shrimp salad with Thai salad dressing? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!