Ready to elevate your lunch game with a burst of heat and freshness? Spicy Grilled Tiger Salad with Fresh Herbs brings charred, spice-rubbed tiger prawns together with crisp mixed greens, cilantro, mint, and basil, all tossed in a tangy lime-fish sauce dressing. Juicy prawns seared to smoky perfection nestle atop crunchy vegetables and are finished with crushed peanuts for that satisfying crunch. Dive into this Thai-inspired delight and get ready for a flavor explosion that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
Key Ingredients
Before diving in, let’s check out the star players that make this salad shine:
- 1/2 pound Tiger prawns peeled and deveined: succulent seafood that soaks up the smoky char and bold spice mix.
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil: binds the marinade and helps prawns stay juicy on the grill.
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder: brings a warm, earthy heat to the spice rub.
- 1 teaspoon Paprika: adds sweet smokiness and a vibrant red tint.
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground cumin: infuses aromatic depth and a subtle warmth.
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder: lends a robust garlicky backbone without overpowering.
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt: sharpens all the flavors in both marinade and dressing.
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper: introduces a biting note to balance the chili heat.
- 4 cups Mixed salad greens: provides a refreshing, crisp canvas for the prawns.
- 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro leaves: offers bright, citrusy herbiness in every bite.
- 1/2 cup Fresh mint leaves: cools the palate and adds a sweet contrast.
- 1/2 cup Fresh basil leaves: contributes a peppery, fragrant kick.
- 1 medium Cucumber sliced: delivers crisp, refreshing crunch and mild flavor.
- 1/4 medium Red onion thinly sliced: yields a sharp bite and pretty color accent.
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved: bursts with juicy sweetness and color.
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice: injects zesty tang to brighten the entire salad.
- 1 tablespoon Fish sauce: gives an umami-rich saltiness that defines Thai flavors.
- 1 tablespoon Honey: balances acidity and spice with natural sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon Chili flakes: amps up the heat in the dressing for extra kick.
- 1 teaspoon Sesame oil: adds a nutty aroma and smooth finish.
- 2 tablespoons Crushed peanuts: provides crunchy texture and nutty depth on top.
How To Make Spicy Grilled Tiger Salad with Fresh Herbs
Let’s walk through the steps to build this vibrant salad—from marinating fiery prawns to tossing crisp greens in a tangy dressing. You’ll learn how to layer flavors, get those perfect char marks, and finish with the ideal crunch for a lunch that looks as good as it tastes.
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until a smooth, well-blended marinade forms.
2. Add the tiger prawns to the bowl and toss thoroughly, ensuring each prawn is fully coated. Cover and let them sit for 10 minutes to soak up the spices.
3. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat, then lightly oil the surface. Place prawns in a single layer and grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they turn opaque and develop a light, smoky char.
4. While prawns cook, prepare the salad base by combining mixed greens, cilantro, mint, basil, cucumber slices, red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, honey, chili flakes, and sesame oil until well-emulsified into a balanced, tangy-sweet dressing.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients, then gently toss to ensure every leaf and vegetable is lightly coated with flavor.
7. Arrange the grilled prawns on top, then finish with a generous sprinkle of crushed peanuts for extra texture and nuttiness.
Serving Suggestions
This salad’s vibrant flavors and textures are a joy on their own, but you can elevate the experience with these serving ideas:
- Serve chilled: Pop the dressed greens in the fridge for 10 minutes before adding prawns for an extra-refreshing twist.
- Pair with jasmine rice: Offer a side of fragrant rice to soak up every drop of the lime-fish sauce dressing.
- Add avocado slices: Creamy avocado wedges complement the spicy prawns and fresh herbs beautifully.
- Garnish with lime wedges: Let guests squeeze extra lime juice over their portions for a zesty finish.
Tips For Perfect Spicy Grilled Tiger Salad with Fresh Herbs
Mastering this dish is all about balancing spice, freshness, and crunch. Here are some friendly pointers to make it effortless:
- To devein prawns make a shallow cut along the back and remove the dark vein with a knife.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spiciness level.
- If you do not have an outdoor grill you can use a grill pan or broiler.
- Prepare the salad base ahead of time and add peanuts just before serving to keep them crunchy.
How To Store It
Leftovers? No problem—here’s how to keep everything tasting its best:
- Refrigerate in an airtight container: Store any leftover salad (without crushed peanuts) for up to 2 days to maintain crispness.
- Keep dressing separate: Bottle extra dressing in a sealed jar to prevent greens from wilting.
- Store prawns properly: Place grilled prawns in a shallow container lined with paper towels and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
- Add peanuts before serving: Keep crushed peanuts in an airtight container at room temperature and sprinkle on fresh portions for ultimate crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Curious minds, here are answers to your top queries:
- How long does it take to prepare and cook this recipe?
It takes about 25 to 30 minutes in total. This includes 10 minutes for marinating the prawns, 4 to 6 minutes for grilling them (2 to 3 minutes per side), and about 5 to 10 minutes for assembling the salad and whisking the dressing.
- Can I prepare any components ahead of time to save on day-of work?
Yes. You can wash and dry the mixed greens and fresh herbs up to 2 hours in advance, slice the cucumber and red onion, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Keep the crushed peanuts aside and add them just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- What is the easiest way to devein tiger prawns?
To devein, make a shallow incision along the back of each prawn using a small sharp knife. Gently pull out the dark digestive tract with the knife tip or your fingers, then rinse the prawn under cold water. Pat dry before marinating.
- How can I adjust the spiciness of the salad?
You can modify the heat by reducing or increasing the chili powder in the marinade and the chili flakes in the dressing. For milder flavor, use only ½ teaspoon of chili flakes or omit them altogether. For extra heat, add an additional pinch of chili powder or include some finely chopped fresh chilies.
- What’s the best way to cook the prawns if I don’t have an outdoor grill?
You can use a heavy grill pan or your oven’s broiler. Preheat the grill pan over medium-high heat or set the broiler to high. Cook the prawns for 2 to 3 minutes per side until opaque and lightly charred, watching closely to prevent overcooking.
- How do I make the lime-fish sauce dressing to perfectly balance sweet, salty, and spicy?
In a small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of chili flakes, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil until well combined. Taste and adjust by adding more lime juice for tang, honey for sweetness, or fish sauce for saltiness.
- What is the best way to keep the crushed peanuts crunchy?
Crush the peanuts just before serving and sprinkle them on top of the assembled salad. If you crush them in advance, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day to prevent them from absorbing moisture and becoming soft.
What Makes This Special
This Spicy Grilled Tiger Salad with Fresh Herbs is the ultimate flavor party in a bowl—charred prawns spiced just right, a mix of cilantro, mint, and basil for freshness, and a tangy lime-fish sauce dressing that ties it all together with a zing. The crunchy peanuts on top add that final, delightful texture. Don’t forget to print this recipe or save it for later, and let me know how yours turned out or if you have any questions. Happy grilling and crunching!
Spicy Grilled Tiger Salad with Fresh Herbs
Description
Juicy tiger prawns seared to smoky char, nestled atop crisp mixed greens with cilantro, mint, and basil. A spicy lime-fish sauce dressing and crunchy peanuts tie every bite with heat and zest.
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a bowl combine olive oil, chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.
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Add tiger prawns to the marinade and toss to coat evenly, then let sit for 10 minutes.
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Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat, then grill prawns for 2 to 3 minutes per side until opaque and lightly charred.
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In a large salad bowl combine mixed salad greens, fresh cilantro, fresh mint, fresh basil, cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.
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In a small bowl whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, honey, chili flakes, and sesame oil to make the dressing.
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Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
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Top the salad with grilled prawns and sprinkle crushed peanuts over the dish before serving.
Note
- To devein prawns make a shallow cut along the back and remove the dark vein with a knife.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spiciness level.
- If you do not have an outdoor grill you can use a grill pan or broiler.
- Prepare the salad base ahead of time and add peanuts just before serving to keep them crunchy.
