• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Good Hearted Woman logo
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Comfort Food
    • Cooking Basics
    • Condiments
    • German Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Sourdough
    • Snacks
    • Sweets
    • 30-Minute Meals
  • Cozy Living
    • Arts & Crafts
    • For Music Lovers
    • Food Holidays
  • US Travel
    • One Day in...
    • Pacific
    • Rocky Mountains
    • Southwest
    • The South
    • Hikes Near & Far
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cozy Living
  • Road Trips
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cozy Living
    • Road Trips
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad (Applebee's Copycat Recipe)

    May 10, 2021 • Updated: May 9, 2022 • by Renée • This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    This light, delicious Thai Shrimp Salad combines spicy grilled shrimp, fresh edamame, crunchy almonds, and crispy wonton strips under an amazing Sweet & Spicy Peanut Sauce and a light, bright Chili-lime Vinaigrette. On the table in less that 30 minutes! 

    Overhead shot of Thai Shrimp Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce on white plate.

    Our Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad (inspired by Applebee's seasonal salad of the same name) makes a wonderfully satisfying meal that can be ready to serve in less than 30 minutes! Not only is our Thai Shrimp Salad deliciously satisfying, but it's also a great pick if you're trying to eat light and healthy.

    What Goes into this Salad

    There are four basic components to this salad. Each part is super-easy to throw together, and the chili-lime and peanut sauces can even be made ahead of time. 

    1. Salad Base
    2. Pan-fried Shrimp
    3. Chili-Lime Dressing
    4. Peanut Sauce 
    Side view of Thai Shrimp Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce & Chili-Lime Dressing on white plate.

    FAQs & Expert Tips

    What kind of shrimp work best for this shrimp salad recipe?

    Use raw, deveined shrimp for this recipe. Beyond the question of "raw or cooked," however, there are many other factors that can influence what king of shrimp you use. (I found this article, Everything You Need to Know to Buy Better Shrimp, to be thorough and very helpful.)

    We use medium shrimp to prepare this salad; either fresh or frozen depending on the season. When purchasing frozen shrimp, we usually go with individually frozen (IQF), head-off, peel-on shrimp. We find the pre-peeled shrimp to be of lower quality, with less flavor, and peeling them takes only a few minutes. 

    What is Gochujang paste?

    Gochujang Paste, or Korean Red Chili Paste, is a savory, sweet, spicy fermented condiment made from chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soy bean powder, and salt. It gets its sweetness from the glutinous rice and has about the same consistency as a thick hoisin sauce or tomato paste, but is much stickier.

    Learn more about it by visiting our Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe. These are seriously the best Brussels Sprouts ever! (For reference: Before them, I wouldn't touch the things.)

    What goes good with shrimp salad?

    This healthy, delicious salad makes a satisfying meal all by itself, or pair it with our easy 10-Minute Wonton Soup for a light, healthy soup-and-salad combo.

    Sliced avocado or a light sandwich also make a good pairing with shrimp salad.

    Do you love shrimp? Then you'll love our Cast Iron Shrimp & Grits Pizza (with GF Polenta Crust!) and our Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp - be sure to check them out! (And do not miss our Kahuku Shrimp Recipe roundup!! If you've never had Kahuku shrimp; O.M.G - they are crazy good!!!! Like heaven for shrimp lovers!) 

    More Healthy Salads

    • Moroccan Carrot Salad with Harissa, Feta & Fresh Herbs
    • Potluck-Worthy Big Cuban Salad
    • Armenian-style Eggplant & Carrot Salad
    • California Quinoa Salad with Piña Colada Dressing

    For more recipes and cozy living tips, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for all of the latest updates.

    Thai Shrimp Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce & Chili-Lime Dressing {Inspired by Applebee's} | The Good Hearted Woman
    5 from 12 votes

    Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad

    Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad combines grilled shrimp, fresh edamame, crunchy almonds, and crispy wonton strips under dressings of spicy-sweet peanut sauce and a bright chili-lime vinaigrette. (Inspired by Applebee's)
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course: Main Dish, Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat
    Prep Time:30 minutes
    Total Time:30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 278kcal
    Author: Renee

    Equipment

    • 1 heavy skillet
    • 1 Tongs

    Ingredients

    Pan-fried Shrimp
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 8 ounces raw shrimp peeled & deveined
    • ½ teaspoon butter
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
    Salad
    • ½ head Napa or Savoy cabbage chopped
    • 2 cups fresh spinach coarsely chopped
    • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
    • 2 medium carrots peeled and shredded
    • ½ cup shelled edamame
    • 3 green onions thinly sliced
    • ¼ cup sliced almonds toasted
    • Wonton Strips
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro reserve some uncut for garnish
    Chili Lime Vinaigrette
    • Juice of 2 limes
    • Zest of 1 lime
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon honey
    • 1 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
    • ¼ - ½ teaspoon Gochujang paste Depending on how spicy you like things
    Sweet & Spicy Peanut Sauce
    • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
    • ¼ cup canned coconut milk
    • 1 tablespoon fish sauce We recommend "Red Boat" fish sauce
    • 1 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    • 1 tablespoon honey or coconut or agave nectar
    • 1 clove minced garlic
    • ½ - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
    • ½ - 1 teaspoon Gochujang paste

    Instructions

    Prepare Pan-fried Shrimp

    • In a large self-sealing plastic bag, combine shrimp, minced garlic, chili powder, and cayenne.
      Toss until shrimp are evenly coated with the spice mix. 
    • Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium high heat.
      Melt olive oil and butter and swirl to coat the bottom the the skillet.
      Add shrimp in a single layer. (Do not crowd in pan.)
      Pan-fry about 2 minutes, then turn and fry until shrimp become pink all the way through and slightly firm, about 2-3 minutes.
      Do not over cook!
      Carefully remove shrimp from skillet and set aside. 

    Assemble Salad

    • Layer or toss cabbages, spinach, carrots, edamame, green onions, and sliced almonds, wonton strips, and cilantro in bowl.
      Drizzle with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette and Sweet & Spicy Peanut Sauce.
      Garnish with additional cilantro and wonton strips. 
      Serve with additional Vinaigrette and Peanut Sauce.

    Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

    • Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake to combine. (Remember to put the lid on first!)

    Sweet & Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce

    • Combine all ingredients and whisk or blend until smooth. 

    Notes

    NUTRITION INFORMATION DOES NOT INCLUDE CALORIES/AMOUNTS FOR CHILI LIME VINAIGRETTE OR SPICY PEANUT SAUCE. 
    I substitute in 1 teaspoon of my Spicy Skillet Dry Rub for the chili powder and cayenne.

    Nutrition for Chili-Lime Vinaigrette
    Serving: 2 Tablespoons | Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 10mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition for Sweet & Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce
    Serving: 2 Tablespoons | Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 7.3g | Protein: 3.2g | Fat: 7.8g | Saturated Fat: 3.3g | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5.2g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 502mg | Potassium: 762mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 7407IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 261mg | Iron: 3mg
    This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

    Recipe Updated May 10, 2021 (Originally published July 23, 2018)

    « Perfect Buttermilk Biscuits
    Portland Farmers' Market Guide »
    2358 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard

    About Renée

    Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bill says

      October 27, 2020 at 12:34 am

      5 stars
      This is Terrific... Have made this several times and it just gets better. The Vinaigrette along with the peanut sauce.....yum!!! I started using store bough Korean gochujang and i got motivated to make my own.. Mine is better and i make two, one spicy and the other milder..

      Thank You...

      Reply
      • Renée says

        October 27, 2020 at 12:23 pm

        Thanks so much for the great feedback, Bill! Homemade gochujang? That sounds fabulous!!

        (You might want to check out my recipe for Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts. I am a former Brussels Sprouts hater: these are the sprouts that changed my life.)

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Adorable middle-aged couple in forest setting. (i.e., Me & Mr B)

    Join me & Mr B for the best in home cooking and cozy living - from the beautiful Pacific Northwest and beyond.

    More about us →

    Follow Us

    BBq & Potluck Favorites

    • Honey Citrus Pasta Salad with Turkey
    • Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzadiki Sauce
    • Sweet & Spicy Grilled Buffalo Wings
    • Potluck-Worthy Big Cuban Salad

    fresh recipes

    • Fresh Strawberry Cream Pie
    • Creamy Seafood Enchiladas
    • Old-fashioned Bread & Butter Pickles
    • Sweet Potato & Butternut Samosas

    Soup & Salad

    • Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad (Applebee's Copycat Recipe)
    • Classic French Onion Soup
    • Smoked Salmon Chowder (with Leeks & Fresh Tarragon)
    • Armenian-style Eggplant & Carrot Salad

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Statement
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Follow

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Meet Me & Mr B

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Good Hearted Woman. All rights reserved.

    2358 shares
    2.4K shares