Crunchy Asian Salad

Name: Crunchy Asian Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 4 cups chopped white cabbage; 3 cups chopped red cabbage; 2 medium carrots, grated or shredded (about 1 1/2 cups); 1 cup shelled edamame, cooked*; 3 green onions, chopped; 1/2 cup roasted cashews, finely chopped; Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped; Crispy wonton strips, optional**; 3 Tbsp. sesame oil; 3 Tbsp. rice vinegar; 2 Tbsp. honey; 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice; 1 1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger; kosher salt and fresh black pepper

posted by Katya on Jul 17, 2018 (updated Jul 26, 2022) 2 comments »

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1 reviews

Crunchy Asian Salad is packed with fresh, crunchy vegetables and a variety of textures and flavors that will keep your taste buds happy.

Love fresh meals? Try Lettuce Wrap Tacos, Shrimp Quinoa Bowl, or Hummus Veggie Sandwich.

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Why We Love Crunchy Asian Salad
Key Ingredients
Substitutions and Variations
How To Make Crunchy Asian Salad
Expert Recipe Tips
Storage Tips
Recipe FAQs
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Crunchy Asian Salad

Why We Love Crunchy Asian Salad

It’s Packed with Nutritious Ingredients: The crunchy salad is loaded with a variety of vegetables that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Add crispy chicken bites for even more flavor.
It’s Bursting with Flavor: The salad dressing is what really sets this dish apart. It creates a deliciously savory and slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the crunchy veggies. Pair it with 4-Ingredient Easy Potstickers.
It’s Easy to Customize: One of the great things about the crunchy Asian salad is that it’s easy to customize to your liking just like our Mandarin Salad. You can add or subtract ingredients based on your preferences, and you can adjust the dressing to make it more or less sweet or tangy. You can also make the salad more filling by serving it with a side of rice or quinoa.

Key Ingredients

When it comes to making a delicious and satisfying Asian cabbage salad, there are several key ingredients that you’ll want to include.

Cabbage: Cabbage is a staple of many Asian salads, and for good reason. It’s an easy Asian slaw and provides a satisfying crunch and a slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. This salad uses both white cabbage and red cabbage.
Carrots: Carrots add color, flavor, and texture to the salad. To make the salad even more visually appealing, consider using rainbow carrots, which come in a variety of colors.
Edamame: These small peas have an umami flavor and are incredibly nutritious.
Onions: Onions give another layer of crunchy texture and flavor to the dish.
Cashews: A few chopped cashews are salty and crunchy.
Cilantro: Cilantro is a classic flavor in Asian cuisine and really brightens up this salad.
Crispy wonton strips: Want an extra layer of crispy deliciousness? Throw on a handful of these tasty strips.
Dressing: The combination of sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, lime juice, and ginger pairs wonderfully with the crunchy veggies and savory flavors.

*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

There are plenty of ways to customize your crunchy Asian salad recipe to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are some substitutions and variations you can make:

Protein: Make this an Asian chicken salad by tossing on some chicken. Or add shrimp, tofu, or beef. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can omit the meat altogether and add some roasted chickpeas or tempeh for protein.
Vegetables: You can use any combination of crunchy vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, cucumbers, or jicama. Blanch broccoli or cauliflower for a few minutes to soften them up and add them to the bowl. For a sweeter salad, you can add some thinly sliced apples.
Nuts and Seeds: If you’d like to mix it up, try some peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, or toasted sesame seeds.
Dressing: If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar instead.: For a creamier dressing, you can add some tahini or peanut butter to the mix. If you like a spicier dressing, you can add some chili flakes or sriracha sauce.

How To Make Crunchy Asian Salad

Making a delicious Asian slaw at home is easier than you might think. With a few easy-to-follow steps, you can create a healthy and flavorful salad that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. *Check out the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

In a large bowl, mix together all the chopped or sliced ingredients.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

step by step on how to make Asian salad.

Expert Recipe Tips

To make the perfect cabbage salad, here are some expert recipe tips that you should keep in mind:

Use Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh ingredients is key to making a delicious and crunchy Asian salad.
Slice Vegetables Thinly: To make sure that your salad is crunchy and easy to eat, make sure to slice your vegetables thinly. You can use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice your vegetables into thin strips.
Add Crunchy Toppings: To add even more crunch to your salad, consider adding some crunchy toppings like sliced almonds, green onions, or ramen noodles. These toppings not only add texture but also add a nice nutty flavor to the salad.
Serve Immediately: To ensure that your salad stays crunchy, serve it immediately after preparing it. If you need to prepare it ahead of time, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve. This will help to prevent the vegetables from getting soggy.

Storage Tips

To ensure your crunchy Asian salad stays fresh and delicious, proper storage is key. Here are some tips to help you store your salad properly:

Store undressed salad in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. This will help keep the vegetables fresh and crisp.
Dress just before serving to prevent your salad from becoming soggy. If you add the dressing too early, the vegetables may release water and become limp.
If you’re taking your salad to work or on a picnic, it’s best to pack the dressing in a separate container. This will prevent the salad from becoming soggy during transport.
Don’t freeze your salad because it will cause the vegetables to become mushy and lose their texture. It’s best to eat your salad fresh or store it in the fridge for a few days.

Recipe FAQs

What are crunchy wonton strips?

Crunchy wonton strips are thin, crispy strips of deep-fried wonton wrappers that add a satisfying crunch to Asian salads.

You can find them in the Asian food section of most grocery stores or make them at home by cutting wonton wrappers into thin strips and frying them until crispy.

Why is my Asian salad soggy?

There are a few reasons why your Asian salad may be soggy. One is that you may have added too much dressing. To avoid this, try adding the dressing gradually and tossing the salad in between to ensure that it is evenly coated.

Another reason may be that you didn’t dry your vegetables thoroughly before adding them to the salad. Use a salad spinner or pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Where can I find edamame for Asian salad?

Edamame is a type of soybean that is commonly used in Asian salads. You can find edamame in the frozen food section of most grocery stores.

Look for shelled or unshelled edamame, depending on your preference. To prepare, simply boil the edamame in salted water for 3-5 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water.