Pomelo Salad with Chile, Lime, Peanuts, and Coconut

A vibrant Thai-inspired salad featuring sweet-tart pomelo segments tossed with crispy fried shallots, toasted coconut, peanuts, and a spicy-sour dressing. This refreshing dish balances sweet, sour, salty, and crunchy elements for a complex flavor profile.

4 servings
24 min

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons palm sugar or light brown sugar
  • 2 whole red or green Thai chiles
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 whole shallots
  • ¼ cup peanuts
  • 2 whole pomelos
  • ¾ cup cilantro leaves
  • 2 tablespoons dried shrimp

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Whisk palm sugar and 1 tablespoon water in a medium bowl to dissolve sugar. Whisk in chiles, garlic, lime juice, and fish sauce; season with salt. Balance with more sugar, lime juice, or fish sauce if needed.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Toast coconut in a dry small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.

    4 min

  3. 3.

    Heat oil in same saucepan. Add half of shallots and fry, swirling, until golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels with a slotted spoon to drain; season with salt.

    3 min

  4. 4.

    Cook peanuts in shallot oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain; season with salt.

    2 min

  5. 5.

    Remove peel and white pith from pomelos. Tear membrane off and pull segments into large pieces, transferring to a large bowl as you go. Add cilantro, remaining shallots, and half of dressing and toss to coat. Add coconut, peanuts, and dried shrimp; toss again. Divide among plates, drizzle with remaining dressing, and top with fried shallots.

    10 min