Craving a Healthy and Delicious Meal? Look No Further Than This Thai Grain Salad
You know that dipping sauce that comes with so many Thai appetizers? It’s salty, sweet, savory, and just a bit spicy. The one that you really just want to sip out of the bowl? That’s the dressing of this Thai inspired salad!
Fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, ginger, sesame oil, and Red Thai Curry Powder creates the perfect balance of complex and addictive flavor profile. It’s the perfect complement to all the fresh ingredients piled into this salad!
This easy grain salad is a celebration of fresh, crunchy vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, cucumber, and cabbage. The heartiness of your choice of grain – quinoa, rice, barley, or any other favorite – provides a satisfying base. And let’s not forget the protein boost from edamame!
Are you ready to experience the magic of this Kickin’ Thai Grain Salad? It’s easier to make than you think! Simply gather your ingredients, stir together the dressing, arrange the grain and vegetables in a bowl, pour over the dressing, and prepare to enjoy deliciousness!
Ingredients.
Spices & Seasonings.
Thai Red Curry Powder.
SpiceTopia’s Thai Red Curry Powder is spicy with strong notes of herb and citrus. Bringing together the five essential flavors of Thai cooking (salty, sour, spicy, bitter, and sweet), this Thai spice blend adds a kick to the dressing of this salad.
Fresh Ginger. This salad is best made with fresh ginger. If fresh ginger is not available, substitute just ½ teaspoon Dried Powder Ginger.
Fish Sauce. Fish sauce has a unique flavor that is pungent, salty, slightly sweet, and just a bit funky! Think of fish sauce like a salt in this easy salad recipe. It adds complexity and depth while balancing out the sweet and sourness of the other ingredients.
To make this salad vegan, substitute the fish sauce for a vegan fish sauce or use tamari instead. Sesame Oil. Sesame oil adds a nutty savory flavor to this salad.
Grain.
We usually make this salad with a traditional Asian blend of brown and red rices with barley. It will also be wonderful with quinoa, rice, or wheat berries – or any grain you’d like to use. Whatever you decide to use, grain adds a hearty and filling element.
Produce.
This recipe calls for sweet bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, edamame, green onions, cabbage, as well as cilantro and basil. Feel free to use a combination of any vegetables you have on hand. Just make sure you include lots of crunchy vegetables!
Speaking of crunch, chopped roasted salted peanuts add not only crunch, but also salty nutty notes!
If you don’t have both cilantro or basil, use one or the other. If you have neither, just skip the fresh herbs!
Be sure to serve your salad with lime wedges!
Vegan & Gluten Free Substitutions
This salad is easily made vegan or vegetarian by substituting a vegan fish sauce or tamari for the fish sauce. Also, make sure the sugar used in the dressing is vegan. Note that all organic sugar is vegan.
If you need your Thai Salad to be gluten free, be sure to use grains without gluten like rice and quinoa. Both barley and wheat have gluten, so avoid them.
A Versatile and Satisfying Meal
One of the best things about this Thai grain salad is its versatility. It’s perfect for meal prep, as the flavors actually improve over time. Add grilled chicken, tofu, or fish for a protein-packed meal.
This recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. It’s a great way to incorporate a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants into your diet. Plus, it’s a lighter and fresher alternative to heavy meals.
Whether you’re looking for a healthy side dish, main dish salad, or a tasty easy meal-prep recipe, this salad/grain bowl is a fantastic option. Packed with fresh vegetables, hearty grains, and a tantalizing dressing, it’s a complete meal in a bowl.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Thai Grain Salad
Dressing Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
Instructions
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Dressing Instructions
Whisk together all the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved. Taste for sweetness and for heat, and add more seasoning to taste.
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Dressing Instructions
Place grain in the bottom of a large serving bowl. Top with chopped vegetables and herbs. Sprinkle peanuts over the top of the salad. Drizzle over half of the dressing.
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Serve with the remaining dressing and lime wedges.