Irresistible Thai Pasta Salad with Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce Recipe

Thai-Inspired Pasta Salad is a dish that brings together the bold tastes of Southeast Asia and the comforting elements of Italian cuisine.

Many food lovers enjoy how it perfectly balances tangy, spicy, and creamy flavors.

By mixing ingredients from around the world, this recipe creates an exciting blend of tastes and textures.

Peanut butter adds a smooth richness that turns a simple pasta salad into something truly special.

Crisp vegetables and fragrant herbs add depth and freshness to every bite.

This one-of-a-kind pasta salad showcases the intersection where age-old cooking methods meet modern flavor innovation.

What You’ll Need For Thai Pasta Salad With Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce

Main Ingredients:

Base Ingredients: – Pasta, Shredded Cabbage, Carrots: Provides the hearty foundation for the salad with a mix of textures and crunch.

• Spring Onions, Red Bell Pepper: Adds fresh, colorful vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.

Dressing Ingredients: – Peanut Butter: Creamy base that creates a rich, nutty sauce for the salad.

• Soy Sauce: Brings savory umami depth to the dressing.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, tangy freshness to balance the rich sauce.

Flavor Enhancers: – Rice Vinegar: Provides subtle acidity and brightness to the dressing.

• Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to complement the spicy and savory elements.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces a distinctive nutty aroma and authentic Asian flavor.

Spice and Aromatics: – Sriracha: Brings heat and zesty kick to the sauce.

• Minced Garlic, Ginger Paste: Delivers classic Thai-inspired aromatic warmth.

Garnish Ingredients: – Chopped Peanuts, Cilantro: Adds final crunch, freshness, and authentic garnish to the salad.

How To Prepare Thai Pasta Salad With Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce

Step 1: Prep Colorful Veggie Mix

• Cooked pasta
• Shredded cabbage
• Julienned carrots
• Sliced spring onions
• Diced red bell pepper

Mix the ingredients gently, creating a vibrant base for your salad.

Step 2: Craft Mouthwatering Peanut Sauce

• Creamy peanut butter
• Tangy soy sauce
• Fresh lime juice
• Zingy rice vinegar
• Sweet brown sugar
• Aromatic sesame oil
• Spicy sriracha
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Whisk everything together until smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Marry Veggies and Sauce

Pour the luscious peanut sauce over your veggie-pasta mixture.

Toss carefully to ensure every morsel gets coated with the delectable dressing.

Step 4: Add Final Flourishes

• Crunchy chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro leaves

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Plate immediately and dive into this explosion of Thai-inspired flavors.

Enjoy your culinary creation while it’s fresh and vibrant!

Good Tips For Thai Pasta Salad With Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Add extra sriracha or red pepper flakes for a spicier kick that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and make dressing 1-2 days in advance to save time and let flavors meld together perfectly.
• Customize Protein Options: Easily add grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to transform this salad into a complete protein-packed meal.
• Create Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular pasta with rice noodles or gluten-free pasta, and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
• Keep Crunch Factor Fresh: Add chopped peanuts just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent sogginess.

Store Thai Pasta Salad With Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce Right

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Thai pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping it chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Separate Dressing: Keep remaining sauce in a separate sealed container to prevent soggy pasta, allowing you to refresh the salad's texture when ready to eat.
• Revive Texture: Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and add a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice to restore moisture and brighten flavors.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this dish, as the vegetables and pasta will lose their crisp texture and become mushy when thawed.

What Goes Well With Thai Pasta Salad With Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet, chilled Riesling with bright acidity that complements the spicy, nutty flavors of the Thai pasta salad, cutting through the rich peanut butter sauce.
• Cool Down with Ginger Beer: Choose a zesty, spicy ginger beer that echoes the Asian-inspired profile, providing a refreshing contrast to the creamy dressing and adding an extra layer of zingy complexity.
• Enhance with Thai Iced Tea: Brew traditional Thai iced tea with its creamy, sweet notes that balance the salad's heat and provide a cooling counterpoint to the spicy sriracha and ginger elements.
• Match with Cucumber Mint Mocktail: Create a light, herbaceous non-alcoholic drink that offers a crisp, clean taste to offset the salad's rich, bold flavors and provide a palate-cleansing experience.

Fun Ideas For Thai Pasta Salad With Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap traditional pasta with rice noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives like quinoa or chickpea pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly.
• Vegan Version: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a plant-based protein option that maintains the creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the vibrant Thai-inspired flavor profile.
• Protein-Packed Edition: Add grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to increase protein content and create a more substantial meal that suits athletes or fitness enthusiasts.

Thai Pasta Salad With Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce Questions

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the vegetables and pasta in advance. Keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

• Is this recipe vegetarian?

The current recipe is vegetarian. To ensure it’s fully vegetarian, use a vegetarian-friendly soy sauce and check that all ingredients meet vegetarian standards.

• How spicy is this Thai pasta salad?

The spice level depends on the amount of sriracha you add. Start with a small amount and gradually increase to match your heat preference. For a milder version, reduce or omit the sriracha.

• Can I use different types of pasta?

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests pasta, you can experiment with rice noodles, soba noodles, or whole wheat pasta to suit your taste and dietary needs.

What’s Special About Thai Pasta Salad With Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce

• Whip Up Quick Flavor Fusion: This Thai pasta salad transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal with minimal effort and maximum taste.
• Crowd-Pleasing Convenience: Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, and busy weeknights, the recipe requires just 15 minutes of total preparation time and uses simple pantry staples.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable for vegetarians or protein lovers, swap vegetables or add grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to create personalized variations that suit every palate.
• Healthy Comfort Food Hack: Packed with fresh vegetables, lean protein from peanut butter, and vibrant Asian-inspired flavors, this dish delivers nutrition without sacrificing deliciousness.

Heavenly Thai Pasta Salad with Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Summer’s Thai Pasta Salad with Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce delivers bold Asian-inspired flavors in one refreshing dish. Cool noodles and crisp vegetables mingle with a zesty sauce that promises to delight curious palates seeking adventurous cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 23 cups fusilli pasta (boiled)
• 1 cup white cabbage (shredded)
• 1 cup purple cabbage (shredded)
• 1 ½ cups carrots (thin matchstick)
• 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
• ½ cup cilantro (chopped)

Protein and Toppings:

• 45 spring onions (scallions, chopped)
• ¾ cup peanuts (roasted, coarsely chopped or halved)

Sauce Ingredients:

• ¾ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ¼ cup sriracha sauce (or any hot sauce)
• 34 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetable base by mixing al dente pasta with crisp shredded cabbages, julienned carrots, thinly sliced spring onions, and vibrant red bell pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Create the zesty peanut butter sauce by vigorously whisking together creamy peanut butter, umami-rich soy sauce, tangy lime juice, bright rice vinegar, caramelized brown sugar, aromatic sesame oil, fiery sriracha, pungent minced garlic, and warm ginger paste until fully integrated.
3. Drizzle the harmonious peanut dressing over the vegetable and pasta medley, gently folding to ensure each ingredient is lavishly coated with the robust sauce.
4. Elevate the dish’s texture and visual appeal by scattering freshly chopped roasted peanuts and verdant cilantro leaves across the salad’s surface.
5. Present the Thai-inspired pasta salad immediately to preserve its crisp vegetables and vibrant flavors, allowing diners to experience the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory notes.

Notes

• Swap out regular pasta for gluten-free alternatives like rice noodles or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the dish’s authentic Thai-inspired flavor profile.
• Create a lighter version by reducing peanut butter and using Greek yogurt as a partial substitute, which adds protein and cuts down on overall calories without compromising taste.
• Prep vegetables ahead of time and store separately to keep the salad crisp and prevent soggy tex

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg