Looking to cut back on carbs and eat more vegetables? This quick and easy Thai Sweet Chili Shrimp with Cabbage “Noodles” cooks in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect recipe to add to your menu planning.


Thai Sweet Chili Shrimp with Cabbage "Noodles" that replaces carbs with vegetables

If 2013 was my worst year ever with Murray passing away, then 2014 was my year of change.

It’s hard to believe how emotionally drained I was this time last year.

I knew that I’d be moving back to Pittsburgh come hell or high water but never expected to actually quit my job and become a full time blogger.

It’s only been 6 months, but it feels like my previous job was eons ago. I’ve become bolder. I’ve become stronger. I’ve become more driven.

I finally have a clear version of my goals, both short term and (more importantly) long term. I never took goal setting seriously before now.

Sure, I had hopes and dreams but had never actually written them down on paper. I never set a deadline or steps on how to get there.

I thought I knew what I wanted, but it’s amazing how your perspective shifts when your goals are written right in front of you.

There’s a quote I saved on my Pinterest quotes board: “Sometimes on the way to the dream, you get lost and find a better one.” I couldn’t agree more.

Speaking of goal setting, last year I talked about incorporating more vegetables and improving my menu planning skills.

I was actually doing pretty well, planning out two weeks’ worth of meals and grocery shopping every other weekend.

It faltered a little when I moved but then I got back on track. Until the holidays started.

My workload increased, which means on days where I’m shooting cookies and cakes, I want to cook something quick and effortless for dinner.

Unfortunately I turned to frozen pizza a little too often (which I’m still trying to find a favorite – any suggestions?). Time to take back menu planning.

One dish I make probably every other week that is both quick and vegetable heavy is this Thai Sweet Chili Shrimp with Cabbage “Noodles”, a clever dish that replaces the carbs from regular noodles with a healthier vegetable option.

I can’t quite say the overall dish is healthy as the sauce does have peanut butter and sweet chili sauce, but it is certainly one step closer to getting back on track for 2015.


Thai Sweet Chili Shrimp with Cabbage "Noodles" that replaces carbs with vegetables

I originally called this Pad Thai Shrimp as the recipe I adapted it from also called it Pad Thai.

However, after some research, I discovered this is nowhere near Pad Thai as it doesn’t have tamarind paste nor fish sauce (along with a few other authentic ingredients).

I’m not sure where the disconnect occurred – maybe it’s equivalent to us Americanizing Chinese food where real Chinese cuisine involves chicken feet and fish heads.

As much as I love tamarinds and fish, I’m convinced this Thai sweet chili and peanut butter sauce is much better tasting anyway.


Thai Sweet Chili Shrimp with Cabbage "Noodles" that replaces carbs with vegetables

If you really want to get technical, this is shrimp served over sautéed cabbage and carrots. However, it’s more fun to say cabbage noodles.

I was trying to think of a clever term mashing the two words together, kinda like zoodles is zucchini noodles, but I’m sure coodles isn’t quite as appetizing. Would you like some coodles with your shrimp?

There’s also caboodles, but kaboodle is a type of cat food. Trust me – cats don’t like cabbage. They do like shrimp, however.

What I love best about this recipe is that you can customize it. Mushrooms, carrots, snow peas, bean sprouts, bell peppers, whatever you have on hand, you can throw in.

It’s a great way to clean out your produce drawers.

You can even use chicken instead of shrimp, but you’ll need to cook that a little longer.

Not sure how to cut cabbage? Check out my handy step by step guide on how to cut cabbage.

Thai Sweet Chili Shrimp With Cabbage "Noodles"

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Looking to cut back on carbs and eat more vegetables? This quick and easy Thai Sweet Chili Shrimp with Cabbage “Noodles” cooks in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect recipe to add to your menu planning.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow or white onion
  • 1 carrot, peeled and cut into coins (bigger coins cut in half)
  • 4 small button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 pound green cabbage (roughly half of a small head), cut into 1/2-inch thick strips that are 3-4 inches long* (see Note)
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste or freshly grated ginger
  • 12 ounces raw shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined, and patted dry

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven or large pot. Once hot, add the onions, carrots, mushrooms, and a big pinch of salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the cabbage and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring often, or until the cabbage is cooked to your liking (I like mine a bit tender-crisp).
  3. While the cabbage is cooking, make the sauce: In a small bowl, microwave the peanut butter for 10-15 seconds or until you can stir it easily. Whisk in the soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and ginger.
  4. Once the cabbage is cooked, add the sauce and shrimp, stirring to combine everything. Cover with a lid and cook 3-5 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and cooked.

Notes

Feel free to customize this recipe with whatever you have on hand: mushrooms, carrots, snow peas, bean sprouts, bell peppers. You can also use chicken instead of shrimp, but you'll need to cook that until no longer pink in the middle.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes


 
Source: Inspired by Paint and Tofu

Since you’ll have plenty of raw cabbage leftover, check out my list of leftover cabbage recipes including Stove Top Corned Beef and Cabbage and haluski.