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Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce

A hearty Indonesian composed salad of blanched vegetables, boiled eggs, and tofu draped in a rich, slightly sweet peanut sauce. Topped with crispy shrimp crackers for a satisfying crunch.

35 minEasyServes 4380 cal/serving

IndonesianSaladStovetopVegetarianHigh FiberPork-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 14 oz firm tofu, cubed
  • 4 large eggs, hard-boiled, halved
  • 8 oz green beans, trimmed
  • 1/2 head green cabbage, cut in wedges
  • 2 cups fresh bean sprouts
  • 1 lb waxy potatoes, boiled, sliced
  • 1 cucumber, sliced
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp sambal oelek (chili paste)
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil
  • as needed shrimp crackers (krupuk), optional

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch 8 oz trimmed green beans for 3 minutes, then 1/2 head cut in wedges green cabbage for 2 minutes, then 2 cups fresh bean sprouts for 30 seconds, transferring each to an ice bath. Drain and pat dry.

  2. 2

    Pan-fry 14 oz cubed firm tofu in 2 tbsp neutral oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Set aside.

  3. 3

    Make the peanut sauce: whisk together 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tsp sambal oelek (chili paste). Thin with 1/4 cup warm water until pourable.

  4. 4

    Arrange 1 lb boiled, sliced waxy potatoes, blanched vegetables, tofu, 4 hard-boiled, halved large eggs, and 1 sliced cucumber on a serving platter.

  5. 5

    Drizzle generously with the peanut sauce and top with shrimp crackers (krupuk), optional. Serve remaining sauce on the side.

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Questions

Why blanch first in Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce?

The quick boil in step 1 sets the color and takes off the raw edge. If the step follows it with cold water, that is to stop the cooking at once so the vegetables stay bright and crisp.

Is there a substitute for sambal oelek in Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce?

The entry for Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce calls for 2 tsp sambal oelek (chili paste). In its place: Sriracha or any plain chili-garlic sauce works, measure for measure. Crushed red pepper flakes soaked in a little vinegar also do the job.

Can I use a different firmness of tofu instead of tofu in Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce?

Go firmer, not softer. Extra-firm stands in for firm anywhere; anything softer breaks up when it is fried or stirred. Press it for 15 minutes either way. As written, the entry for Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce uses 14 oz firm tofu, cubed.

How hot is Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce?

Yes, it is properly hot. The heat in Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce comes from 2 tsp sambal oelek (chili paste). For a milder plate, start with half the sambal oelek and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce is 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), as needed shrimp crackers (krupuk), optional. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos; the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

Is Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 4 large eggs, hard-boiled, halved. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan salad collection.

How do I store and reheat Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce?

The base of Gado-Gado Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce is green beans, which holds up: it keeps three to four days refrigerated and tastes better after a few hours, once the dressing has soaked in. Hold back a spoonful of dressing to freshen it before serving. Add the peanut butter at the table so it stays crisp. It does not freeze.

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