Asian Salad Recipe

This Asian salad recipe is a traditional dish made with a homemade sesame vinaigrette recipe. Perfect salad for serving during a summer picnic and BBQs, or as an addition to a regular meal.

Table of Content

• Why make this salad
• Ingredients and substitutes
• Easy Asian salad
• More salad recipes
• Tips for success
• Variations
• You may also like
• Printable Recipe
• Join the conversation

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I love making salads that I can make ahead of time. In fact, quite a few of the salads I have shared with you like, carrot, celery, cabbage, and tomato can all be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge.

Almost every time I have guests over for dinner, I like making this Asian salad. Because it always gets everybody talking and enjoying a salad. This Asian chopped salad does not have droopy veggies like cucumber and tomatoes that need to be used up immediately.

Why make this salad

• This quick and easy salad is simple, light, and flavorful. Healthy crunchy vegetables make a fantastic base for our tangy dressing with Asian flavors of sesame oil, soy, honey, and lemon juice.
• Along with being packed with vitamins and antioxidants, this salad is a good source of dietary fiber and has no added fat.
• There is no much chopping of veggies. In fact, I have used a box grater. But you can use the food processor to make shredded the cabbage and lettuce.
• This is an everyday salad that gets ready in just a few minutes.
• It works perfectly as a side dish to any main course, be it fish, chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, or pork.
• The best thing about this salad is that you can make it ahead of time and chill in the fridge. Make-ahead means the veggies absorb so much more flavor.
• And the Asian salad dressing adds that nice flavor of sesame, which is great over shredded veggies. But, you can also use it over other salads such as a garden salad.

Ingredients and substitutes

• Veggies - I like using cabbage, carrots, celery, and lettuce, which can be kept for long. They also add a nice crunch to the salad.
• Green onions - Add a slightly pungent flavor, but you can certainly omit it.
• Mirin - Is a Japanese sweet sauce. But, you can certainly use honey instead.
• Oil - when it comes to Asian salads I like to use cooking oil with some sesame oil for flavor. I find olive oil to be too strong, but, you certainly use extra virgin olive oil as well.
• Rice wine vinegar (aka rice vinegar) - Gives a subtle vinegar flavor, and yet you can certainly use lemon or lime juice as well.
• Optional ingredients - You can also add your favorite veggies like sliced green or red bell pepper, romaine lettuce, Napa cabbage, or purple cabbage. And few toasted nuts like cashews also add a nice crunch to the salad.

Easy Asian salad

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• Sesame vinaigrette - In a mason jar, combine all the dressing ingredients. Give it a good shake and set aside. You can also use a small bowl and whisk to stir.
  Pro tip - You can double or triple the dressing as it saves in the fridge for up to a week.

• Salad - In a large bowl, combine all the shredded veggies. Sprinkle the nuts. Season with salt and pepper.
  Pro tip -You can combine this salad and leave it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is best to add the dressing just before serving.

• Dressing - Pour the salad dressing over the veggies. Use two forks and toss it all to ensure everything is well combined.
• Serve - Transfer to a salad bowl and sprinkle with more toasted sesame seeds.
  Pro tip - I like to use a large bowl to help me combine everything together then I pour it into a salad bowl. But, you don't have to.
• Enjoy!

Tips for success

• To toast the sesame seeds toss them on a frying pan over medium heat. 
• It is best to shred the veggies really thin. It makes for a better presentation and eating experience. 
• The sesame vinaigrette can be used on a variety of salads so feel free to double and triple the dressing. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• This salad is perfect for meal prep because it can stay for longer in the fridge compared to other salads. We serve with a side of roasted cauliflower and edamame. 

Variations

• Asian chicken salad - add shredded leftover chicken to the salad.
• Asian beef salad - perfect when you have leftover beef roast.
• or Asian seafood salad - grilled shrimps, scallops or lobster meat make a great addition too.
• Make it a meal - if you like salad as a meal, top this with proteins - try some smoked salmon, grilled shrimp, or baked tofu, crispy wontons, or even a chopped steak.
• Asian slaw - the same veggies and herbs can be used to make an Asian slaw but drizzle with a creamy mayonnaise dressing instead of vinaigrette.

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Printable Recipe