Indonesian vegetable salad with peanut dressing
Gado Gado
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4
4 plates
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Gado Gado
Indonesian vegetable salad with peanut dressing
★4.5(11)
A hearty Indonesian salad of blanched vegetables, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, and fried tempeh, all drenched in a spiced peanut dressing. A complete vegetarian meal.
20m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
35m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Gado gado means "mix mix," and that is exactly what you do—pile up an assortment of cooked and raw vegetables, then blanket everything in a thick, spiced peanut sauce.
The best salads are not afterthoughts — they are composed dishes with contrasting textures, bold dressings, and ingredients that complement each other perfectly.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Blanch green beans and bean sprouts in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and shock in ice water.
- 2
Fry tofu cubes until golden brown on all sides. Drain on paper towels.
- 3
Make peanut dressing: mix peanut butter, kecap manis, lime juice, sambal, garlic, and warm water until pourable.
- 4
Arrange blanched vegetables, fried tofu, boiled eggs, sliced cucumber, and boiled potatoes on a plate.
- 5
Drizzle generously with peanut dressing, top with fried shallots and shrimp crackers.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Best enjoyed fresh -- prepare the dressing separately if making ahead
Substitutions
Peanut butterSunflower seed butter
Nut-free alternative with similar richness
Firm tofuTempeh, sliced and fried
More traditional Indonesian protein with a nuttier taste
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Prepare all components ahead and assemble just before serving for the best texture.
Thin the peanut dressing with warm water to your preferred consistency.
Dry your greens thoroughly — water on the leaves dilutes the dressing and makes everything soggy.
Dress your salad just before serving. Pre-dressed salads wilt quickly, especially delicate greens.
Storage
Store undressed salad components separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep dressing in a separate jar. Assemble just before serving for the freshest result.
Reheating
Salads are best enjoyed fresh and do not require reheating. If you have leftover dressed salad, it may be slightly wilted but still edible within a few hours.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (110mg) · 4 servings
Calories380
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein20g
Carbohydrates22g
Fat28g
Fiber580mg
Sugar4g
Sodium8g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is gado gado always vegetarian?
- The base is vegetarian but some versions include shrimp crackers or boiled egg.
- Can I use store-bought peanut sauce?
- Yes, but add kecap manis and sambal to match the Indonesian flavor profile.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →