Transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Thailand with this Savory Thai Street Tacos with Spicy Peanut Slaw recipe. Combining bold flavors, tender marinated meat, and a tangy, crunchy slaw, this dish is a flavor adventure in every bite. Serve it up for a delightful fusion of global flair and taco night favorites.
Why You’ll Love This Savory Thai Street Tacos with Spicy Peanut Slaw
These Savory Thai Street Tacos are a true crowd-pleaser, blending the zesty, spicy flavors of Thai cuisine with the comfort and portability of tacos. The tender, marinated meat is the star of the show, infused with fragrant lemongrass, ginger, and warm spices. The Spicy Peanut Slaw adds a perfect contrast of textures and flavors, with crunchy cabbage, carrots, and a creamy, peanut-infused dressing that ties it all together. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or craving a flavorful weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to delight your senses and leave you craving more.
Ingredients
This Savory Thai Street Tacos with Spicy Peanut Slaw recipe features a delicious blend of fresh, bold ingredients. You’ll need tender chicken or pork, lemongrass, ginger, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and a variety of aromatic spices to create the flavorful marinade for the meat. For the Spicy Peanut Slaw, you’ll use shredded cabbage and carrots, fresh cilantro, roasted peanuts, and a creamy peanut dressing.
- 1 lb – Chicken or pork, thinly sliced or cubed
- 2 stalks – Lemongrass, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp – Ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp – Fish sauce
- 2 tbsp – Brown sugar
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 tsp – Ground coriander
- 1 tsp – Ground cumin
- 1 tsp – Chili powder
- 1/2 tsp – Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups – Shredded cabbage and carrots
- 1/2 cup – Fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup – Roasted peanuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup – Creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp – Lime juice
- 2 tbsp – Fish sauce
- 1-2 tsp – Chili sauce (such as Sriracha)
- 2-3 tbsp – Water, as needed
- 12-16 – Taco shells or small tortillas
Ingredient Substitutions
- Protein: Swap in shrimp or beef instead of chicken or pork for a different flavor profile.
- Slaw: Try using bell peppers or radishes in place of some of the cabbage and carrots for a crunchy, colorful twist.
How to Make Savory Thai Street Tacos with Spicy Peanut Slaw
Let’s get cooking! This recipe comes together in just a few easy steps.
Step 1: Marinate the Meat
Begin by preparing the meat marinade. In a shallow dish or resealable bag, combine the lemongrass, ginger, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and a selection of aromatic spices. Add the chicken or pork, ensuring it’s fully coated in the flavorful mixture. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for even more flavor.
Step 2: Make the Spicy Peanut Slaw
While the meat is marinating, make the Spicy Peanut Slaw. In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and roasted peanuts. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, lime juice, fish sauce, chili sauce, and a touch of water to create the creamy dressing. Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss to coat.
Step 3: Cook the Meat
When ready to assemble the tacos, heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated meat and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Transfer the cooked meat to a cutting board and slice or shred it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
To serve, warm the taco shells or tortillas according to package instructions. Layer the shredded meat into the taco shells, top with the Spicy Peanut Slaw, and garnish with additional cilantro, lime wedges, and crushed peanuts, if desired. Enjoy these Savory Thai Street Tacos with Spicy Peanut Slaw for a flavor-packed, global-inspired taco night.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Vegetarian Swap: For a vegetarian option, try substituting the meat with grilled or sautéed tofu or portobello mushrooms.
- Slaw Mix-Ins: You can experiment with different types of greens or veggies in the slaw, such as shredded Brussels sprouts, kale, or snap peas.
- Thai Flavor Boost: To enhance the Thai flavors, consider adding a sprinkle of crushed roasted peanuts, toasted coconut flakes, or thinly sliced red onion to the tacos.
- Spice Adjustment: Adjust the amount of chili sauce or crushed red pepper in the peanut dressing to reach your desired level of heat.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Lime wedges, chopped cilantro, and crushed peanuts.
Storage: Store the cooked meat and Spicy Peanut Slaw separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently reheat the cooked meat in a skillet or on the grill over medium heat, just until warmed through.
Make-Ahead: The marinade can be made up to 8 hours in advance, and the Spicy Peanut Slaw can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time.
Nutrition Information
This Savory Thai Street Tacos with Spicy Peanut Slaw recipe is a delicious and satisfying meal that also packs a nutritional punch. Each serving (2 tacos) contains approximately 350 calories, 25 grams of protein, 18 grams of fat, and 30 grams of carbohydrates. The dish is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, thanks to the fresh veggies and flavorful ingredients.
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 30 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the marinade or slaw in advance?
Absolutely! The marinade can be made up to 8 hours ahead of time, and the Spicy Peanut Slaw can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Just store both components separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the tacos.
What is the best way to reheat the cooked meat?
For the best texture, gently reheat the cooked meat in a skillet or on the grill over medium heat, just until warmed through. Avoid overcooking, as this can make the meat dry.
Can I use a different type of protein?
Absolutely! This recipe works great with a variety of proteins, such as shrimp, beef, or tofu. Adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the protein is cooked through.
How spicy are the tacos?
The level of spice can be adjusted to your liking. Start with a small amount of chili sauce or crushed red pepper in the peanut dressing, and add more to reach your desired level of heat.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free taco shells or corn tortillas. Just be sure to check the labels on any sauces or seasonings to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Try These Next
- spicy thai peanut chicken tacos with crunchy slaw
- street style spicy chicken tacos with creamy slaw
- spicy thai chicken street tacos with fresh salsa
Savory Thai Street Tacos with Spicy Peanut Slaw
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🌍 Global Flavors & Street Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
Savory Thai Street Tacos filled with marinated meat and topped with a spicy peanut slaw. Enjoy a burst of flavors that will transport you to the streets of Thailand!
Ingredients
– 1 lb ground chicken or pork
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp fish sauce
– 1 tbsp lime juice
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp ginger, grated
– 1 tsp chili paste
– 8 small corn tortillas
– 1 cup shredded cabbage
– 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
– 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
– 3 tbsp peanut butter
– 2 tbsp rice vinegar
– 1 tbsp honey
– 1 tbsp sesame oil
– 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
1.
2. 1. In a bowl, mix ground chicken or pork with soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and chili paste. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
3. 2. In a separate bowl, prepare the spicy peanut slaw by combining shredded cabbage, carrots, roasted peanuts, peanut butter, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil. Mix well.
4. 3. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the marinated meat until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
5. 4. Warm the corn tortillas in a separate pan or microwave.
6. 5. Assemble the tacos by placing the cooked meat on the tortillas and topping with spicy peanut slaw and sliced green onions.
7. 6. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Thai street tacos!
8.
Notes
These tacos are best served fresh. You can also substitute the meat with tofu for a vegetarian option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: tacos, Thai, street food, spicy, peanut slaw