Thai Glass Noodle Salad With Shrimp Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it combines all of my favorite fresh herbs with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, giving me a burst of deliciousness with every bite. Plus, the combination of crunchy peanuts and soft glass noodles creates a sensational texture that’s just irresistible and makes this dish incredibly satisfying.

I’m enamored with the lively taste of my Thai Shrimp Glass Noodle Salad. This invigorating dish brings together glass noodles and delicate shrimp, with a dressing that practically sings the virtues of lime juice, fish sauce, and a trace of palm sugar.

Tossed with peanuts and a ton of fresh herbs—like cilantro, mint, and basil—that’s as much a shade of taste as it is a light salad, every spoonful is the perfect blend of crunchy and tender.

Thai Glass Noodle Salad With Shrimp Recipe Ingredients

• Glass noodles: Made from mung beans, they’re gluten-free and low in calories.
• Medium shrimp: High in protein and low in calories, they’re also a great source of omega-3.
• Lime juice: Adds a refreshing citrus tang and is rich in vitamin C.
• Fish sauce: Provides a savory, umami depth and is the essence of Thai cuisine.
• Palm sugar: Offers a mild sweetness and is slightly more nutritious than refined sugar.
• Thai chili: Adds heat and boosts metabolism with its capsaicin content.

Thai Glass Noodle Salad With Shrimp Recipe Ingredient Quantities

– Glass noodles (mung bean noodles): 4 ounces (115 grams)
– Medium shrimp: 8 ounces (225 grams), peeled and deveined
– Lime juice: 3 tablespoons
– Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
– Palm sugar (or light brown sugar): 1 tablespoon
– Thai chili (bird’s eye chili): 1-2, finely chopped
– Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup, halved
– Red onion: 1 small, thinly sliced
– Fresh cilantro: 1/4 cup, roughly chopped
– Fresh mint: 1/4 cup, roughly chopped
– Fresh basil: 1/4 cup, roughly chopped
– Roasted peanuts: 1/4 cup, roughly chopped
– Cucumber: 1 small, thinly sliced
– Green onions: 2, thinly sliced
– Garlic: 2 cloves, minced

How to Make this Thai Glass Noodle Salad With Shrimp Recipe

1. Put the glass noodles into warm water for 10-15 minutes, until they are soft. Drain and set aside.

2. Put a pot of water on to boil, then add the shrimp and cook them for a couple of minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Drain them and set them aside.

3. In a small bowl, combine lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, and Thai chili chopped very fine (or a whole one, if you like it hot!). Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.

4. In a big bowl, mix together the glass noodles that have been drained, the shrimp that have been cooked, the cherry tomatoes, the red onion, the cucumber, the green part of the green onion, the cilantro, the mint, and the basil.

5. Pour the dressing over the noodles and mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.

6. Combine the garlic and the salad by adding the minced garlic to the salad. Toss the garlic into the salad to distribute the garlic evenly throughout the dish.

7. Allow the flavors to come together for about 10 minutes by letting the salad sit.

8. Prior to serving, add the roasted peanuts as a delicious topping. They’ll lend an extra dose of texture and flavor to this dish.

9. Season to your liking, with additional lime juice, fish sauce, or chili, if you would like.

10. Chill the salad or serve it at room temperature; it’s refreshing either way. The flavors are bright. The manipulation of temperature maximizes this dish’s best feature.

Thai Glass Noodle Salad With Shrimp Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Mixing bowl
2. Small bowl
3. Pot
4. Strainer/colander
5. Knife
6. Cutting board
7. Measuring spoons
8. Spoon or whisk
9. Tongs or salad servers

FAQ

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?The components can be readied ahead of time, but for the best flavor and texture, assemble the salad just before serving.
• Can I use other types of protein instead of shrimp?Definitely! You can replace the shrimp with any of the following: grilled chicken, tofu, or other seafood like squid or scallops.
• How spicy is this salad?Use one of these methods to adjust the heat level:

  – Use more or fewer chilis.
  – Use only one chili.
  – Remove the seeds from the chili.

  For a salad that doesn’t pack too much punch, try these milder methods.

• What are glass noodles made from?Mung bean starch and water are the only naturally gluten-free ingredients in glass noodles, which are also known as mung bean noodles.
• Is there an alternative to fish sauce for vegetarians?For those who might need to substitute fish sauce, you can use soy sauce or tamari, as long as you’re cool with the fact that this is probably going to taste a bit different from a dish made with fish sauce. (But, hello, isn’t that the whole point of subbing something in?)
• How long do I soak the glass noodles?Allow the glass noodles to absorb warm water for 10-15 minutes or until softened. Before using, drain them.
• Can I store leftovers in the refrigerator?Definitely! You can keep the remaining food for a day inside a container that is sealable and airtight. But, the noodle dish might soak up even more dressing, and the herbs might lose some of their just-picked freshness.

Thai Glass Noodle Salad With Shrimp Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Glass noodles:
Swap out for a different texture with rice vermicelli or angel hair pasta.
Fish sauce:
Use soy sauce or tamari as a stand-in for a similar umami flavor.
Palm sugar:
Substitute for coconut sugar: Use coconut sugar or cane sugar, as needed.
1. Coconut Sugar
2. Cane Sugar (White Sugar)
3. Other Sugars
Thai chili:
Use serrano peppers or red pepper flakes if you want to add some heat.
Fresh cilantro:
Use fresh parsley, instead of a stronger-flavored herb, to achieve a milder flavor profile.

Pro Tips

1. Flavor Infusion For even more flavor, lightly bruise the chopped Thai chili before adding it to the dressing. This releases essential oils, enhancing the spicy kick of the dish.

2. Enhanced Shrimp Flavor Sear the shrimp briefly in a hot pan with a touch of oil after boiling to give them a slight char and deepen their flavor before adding them to the salad.

3. Noodle Texture After soaking and draining the glass noodles, quickly rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain a slightly chewy texture.

4. Herb Boost Save some fresh herbs to sprinkle on top just before serving. This adds a vibrant color and pops of fresh flavor with each bite.

5. Peanut Crunch Toast the peanuts lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until they’re golden and aromatic. This will enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the salad.