Nourishing Thai Salad with Creamy Oil-Free SunButter Dressing: Your Ultimate Healthy Reset

Discover the vibrant flavors of this healthy Thai salad, packed with fresh raw vegetables, perfectly baked tofu, aromatic cilantro, and smothered in an incredibly easy, oil-free SunButter dressing. This delicious and satisfying recipe is not only a fantastic way to reset your diet but also ideal for effortless meal prep lunches!

Sometimes, a spontaneous decision can lead to unexpected (and occasionally hilarious) outcomes. Just last week, I found myself impulsively reaching for the scissors, convinced that cutting bangs was the perfect way to embrace a “new year, new me” vibe. My last true foray into bangs was nearly 15 years ago, inspired by Anne Hathaway’s effortlessly chic look in *The Devil Wears Prada*. Remember how stylish she looked? Well, let’s just say my mirror reflected a somewhat different reality. Instead of a sleek, sophisticated fringe, I ended up with what could only be described as a thick, unruly hair helmet. It’s safe to say I’ve been avoiding bangs for a while for good reason!

Yet, amidst the minor hair-styling mishap, there’s a valuable lesson in embracing change and trying new things. While my hair might require a bit more effort to “lay right” (who knew bangs needed styling?), I’m far more adept and enthusiastic about styling my salads. And speaking of fresh starts and easy wins, I am absolutely thrilled to share this incredible Thai Salad with SunButter Dressing with you. It’s the perfect vibrant, wholesome option to help you reset and re-energize after any period of indulgence, especially those post-holiday feasts.

Embrace a Fresh Start with This Vibrant Thai Salad

Let’s be honest, the past few weeks have likely involved a fair share of comfort food and sweet treats. For me, that meant a delightful (but extensive) cookie marathon, practically living off festive baked goods since Christmas Eve. My partner M and I made a valiant effort with the Dark Chocolate Chunk Muesli Cookies, but there’s still a sizable collection of Almond Flour Snickerdoodles and Peanut Butter Chocolate “Kiss” Cookies patiently waiting to be polished off. Delicious, yes, but balance is key! As we step into a new season, many of us crave something lighter, something that makes us feel radiant from the inside out. This isn’t just about delicious vegan cookies; it’s about finding the perfect counterpoint to those indulgent moments, a meal that nourishes and invigorates.

This Thai Salad with SunButter Dressing is precisely that – a vibrant, wholesome dish designed to make you feel incredible. It’s bursting with fresh, crisp raw vegetables, satisfying baked tofu for a protein boost, and an array of crunchy seeds for added texture and nutrients. What truly elevates this salad is the luscious, creamy, and entirely oil-free SunButter-based dressing. It’s incredibly easy to whisk together and coats every single vegetable with a rich, flavorful embrace that will have your taste buds singing.

The Power of Raw Vegetables and Baked Tofu

A truly great salad starts with exceptional ingredients, and this Thai salad features a symphony of textures and flavors. We begin with a hearty base of crisp kale, a nutritional powerhouse that provides essential vitamins and minerals. Shredded red cabbage adds a beautiful pop of color, a delightful crunch, and a wealth of antioxidants. Diced red bell pepper brings a subtle sweetness and a significant dose of Vitamin C, while finely chopped red onion offers a pungent, refreshing bite. For added texture and healthy fats, we sprinkle in pepitas (pumpkin seeds), known for their magnesium content and satisfying crunch. Fresh cilantro ties all the flavors together with its bright, herbaceous notes, giving the salad its authentic Thai-inspired aroma.

But what truly makes this salad a complete and satisfying meal is the protein. Instead of heavier options, we opt for extra-firm tofu, cubed and baked to perfection. Baking the tofu gives it a wonderfully firm texture and a slightly crispy exterior, making it a delightful contrast to the raw vegetables. Tofu is an excellent plant-based protein, providing all essential amino acids and making this salad incredibly filling and satiating. The combination of nutrient-dense raw vegetables and baked tofu creates a meal that is both light and substantial, perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Crafting Your Thai Salad: Simple & Flavorful

To create this delightful, veg-packed Thai Salad, you’ll need a selection of fresh ingredients that come together beautifully:

• **Kale:** Chopped finely to ensure it easily absorbs the dressing and blends well with other ingredients. 
• **Red Cabbage:** Shredded thinly for maximum crunch and visual appeal.
• **Red Bell Pepper:** Diced into small, manageable pieces for bursts of sweet flavor.
• **Red Onion:** Finely chopped to distribute its sharp, refreshing taste evenly.
• **Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds):** For a delightful crunch and nutty undertone.
• **Fresh Cilantro:** Essential for that characteristic Thai-inspired flavor and aroma.
• **Extra-Firm Tofu:** Cubed and baked until golden brown and slightly firm. This adds a fantastic texture and protein punch.

That’s it for the salad base! The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Once your tofu is prepared, the assembly is incredibly straightforward. You simply combine all the fresh vegetables, herbs, baked tofu, and seeds in a large bowl, then toss gently to ensure an even distribution of ingredients. This prepares your canvas for the star of the show: the SunButter dressing.

The Star of the Show: Creamy Oil-Free SunButter Dressing

What truly ties this Thai salad together and makes it utterly irresistible is the creamy, flavorful SunButter dressing. This dressing is not only delicious but also wonderfully healthy, being completely oil-free and naturally nut-free thanks to the use of SunButter. It strikes a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy, complementing the raw vegetables beautifully.

Here’s what you need to create this amazing SunButter Dressing:

• **Unsweetened Almond Milk Yogurt:** This is the secret to achieving that luscious, creamy texture without any oil. It provides a subtle tang that works perfectly with the other flavors.
• **Organic SunButter:** The hero ingredient! Made from roasted sunflower seeds, it’s a fantastic, allergy-friendly alternative to peanut or almond butter, offering a rich, earthy flavor and creamy consistency. It’s also naturally free of the top 8 allergens, making this dressing suitable for many dietary needs.
• **Apple Cider Vinegar:** Provides a bright, acidic tang that cuts through the richness of the SunButter and enhances all the other flavors.
• **Maple Syrup:** A touch of natural sweetness to balance the tanginess of the vinegar and the savory notes of the SunButter.
• **Tamari Lite:** Adds a savory umami depth, keeping the dressing gluten-free and lower in sodium.
• **Black Pepper:** For a subtle kick and aromatic warmth.
• **Himalayan Sea Salt:** To enhance and round out all the flavors.
• **Cayenne Pepper:** A pinch adds a lovely, gentle warmth that makes this dressing truly Thai-inspired. Adjust to your preferred level of spice!
• **Filtered Water:** Used to thin the dressing to your desired pourable consistency, ensuring it coats every ingredient beautifully.

That’s all it takes to make this incredibly delicious and versatile dressing! You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to create such a flavorful, oil-free option that rivals any store-bought dressing.

Preparing the SunButter Dressing and Assembling Your Salad

Making the SunButter dressing is just as simple as gathering the ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the dressing components: unsweetened almond milk yogurt, Organic SunButter, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Tamari Lite, black pepper, Himalayan sea salt, and cayenne pepper. Whisk everything vigorously with a fork until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform. The consistency should be thick enough to cling to the vegetables, but still pourable. Gradually add 2 to 4 tablespoons of filtered water, one tablespoon at a time, continuing to whisk until you achieve your desired pourable consistency. Once mixed, transfer the dressing to the refrigerator to chill while you prepare your salad components; a chilled dressing always tastes best!

Once your baked tofu is ready and cooled slightly, and your vegetables are prepped, it’s time to bring the salad together. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped kale, shredded red cabbage, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, pepitas, and fresh cilantro. Add in the golden, perfectly baked tofu cubes. Pour the prepared SunButter dressing generously over the salad ingredients. Now, toss everything thoroughly until every single piece of vegetable and tofu is beautifully coated in the creamy, flavorful dressing. This ensures maximum flavor in every bite.

Serve your magnificent Thai Salad with SunButter Dressing immediately to enjoy its peak freshness and crispness. If you’re planning for leftovers, it’s always best to dress only the portion you intend to eat right away. Undressed salad components can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, while the dressing itself will keep well for up to a week. Once dressed, the salad is best consumed within 1-2 days to prevent it from becoming soggy.

Serving Suggestions and Customization for Your Thai Salad

This Thai Salad with SunButter Dressing is a truly versatile and satisfying meal. Enjoy it as a light yet filling lunch, a vibrant dinner, or even a refreshing side dish. It’s naturally oil-free, gluten-free, and thanks to Organic SunButter, completely nut-free, making it an excellent option for those with peanut or tree nut allergies. The hardest part, as with most fresh salads, is simply the washing and chopping of the produce, but the incredible flavors and health benefits make it absolutely worth every minute of effort.

For efficient meal prepping, consider preparing all your vegetables and baking your tofu in advance over the weekend. Store them separately in airtight containers. You can also prepare the SunButter dressing and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge. This way, during a busy workweek, you can simply assemble your salad components, pour on the dressing, and have a fresh, healthy meal ready in minutes. To avoid soggy greens, only dress the portion you plan to eat immediately.

Feel free to customize this salad to your liking! If tofu isn’t your preference, or you want to experiment with other plant-based proteins, try adding cooked chickpeas, lentils, edamame, or even pan-seared tempeh. For an extra boost of nutrients and a delightful slightly nutty flavor, I love to sprinkle a handful of hemp hearts over my finished salad. Other delicious additions could include grated carrots, sliced cucumber, bean sprouts, or even a few cubes of fresh mango for a burst of tropical sweetness. This salad also works wonderfully served in large lettuce cups as a lighter wrap.

However you choose to enjoy it, this Thai Salad with SunButter Dressing promises a fresh, flavorful, and incredibly nourishing experience. It’s a perfect illustration that healthy eating can be exciting, satisfying, and utterly delicious. Dive in and enjoy every vibrant bite!

More Fresh & Flavorful Salad Inspiration

If you’ve loved this Thai Salad, you’re in for a treat! Our kitchen is brimming with vibrant, plant-based salad recipes that are perfect for any season or occasion. Whether you’re seeking another hearty bowl for meal prep or a lighter side dish, explore these delightful options:

• Garlicky Chickpeas & Kale Bowl with Creamy Tahini

• Warm Kale Quinoa Bowl with Citrus Tahini

• Warm Spiced Sweet Potato Salad with Pistachios

• Tri-Colored Roasted Cauliflower Salad

• Butternut Squash Noodle Cranberry Salad

• Fall Harvest Salad

• Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad

• Root Veggie Chip Arugula Salad

• Roasted Fig Arugula Salad

• Cran-Apple Tempeh Kale Salad

Share Your Creations!

If you’re inspired to make this delightful Thai Salad with SunButter Dressing, I’d absolutely love to hear from you! Your feedback is invaluable and helps me create more delicious and wholesome recipes.

Please take a moment to leave a comment, rating, and review below. It’s a wonderful way to share your experience and any tweaks you made!

Don’t forget to give me a shout-out on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show me your beautiful creations. I love seeing how you bring these recipes to life in your own kitchens!

For more plant-based inspiration and healthy recipes, check out my Pinterest page. It’s a treasure trove of ideas to pin and make later.

If you enjoyed this post and want to stay updated with all the latest recipes and healthy living tips, head over to my homepage and subscribe to get updates delivered right to your inbox.

XO Lauren

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This post is brought to you by SunButter but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!

Photography by Hot Pan Kitchen