Zesty Asian Dressing Salad Recipe: Colorful Garden Delight

Weeknight dinners demand quick, flavorful solutions that satisfy hungry appetites.

A zesty salad with Asian dressing brings unexpected excitement to your plate.

Fresh crisp vegetables mingle with a tangy, umami-packed Asian dressing that elevates every bite.

Crunchy greens and tender proteins create a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.

Colorful ingredients dance together, promising a meal that feels both light and deeply satisfying.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish you can easily prepare at home.

Prepare to be amazed by how a few strategic ingredients can turn an ordinary salad into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 130 kcal

Servings: 4

Salad With Asian Dressing Ingredient Guide

• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and balances the flavors with its sharp, clean acidity.
• Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami saltiness and authentic Asian flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: Brings rich, nutty undertone that's quintessential in Asian cuisine.
• Olive Oil: Creates smooth emulsification and adds subtle fruity background note.

• Honey: Softens the sharp edges with natural sweetness and helps bind dressing.
• Fresh Ginger: Delivers spicy, warm kick with zingy aromatic complexity.
• Garlic: Introduces pungent depth and traditional Asian cooking essence.
• Sriracha: Introduces exciting heat and vibrant red pepper complexity.

• Mixed Greens: Provides crisp, fresh foundation with varied textures and nutritional diversity.
• Red Cabbage: Adds crunchy texture and gorgeous purple color with peppery undertone.
• Carrots: Introduces sweet crunch and bright orange visual appeal.
• Bell Pepper: Brings juicy sweetness and vibrant color to the salad.
• Cucumber: Offers cool, refreshing element with delicate crisp texture.
• Green Onions: Delivers mild onion sharpness and elegant green color.
• Cilantro: Contributes bright, herbal notes with distinctive fresh aroma.

• Toasted Almonds, Sesame Seeds: Provide delightful nutty crunch and toasty flavor dimension.

Tools to Toss Salad With Asian Dressing

• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing the sesame-ginger dressing.
• Large bowl: Needed for tossing and combining salad ingredients.
• Cutting board: Critical for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and herb preparation.
• Measuring spoons: Helps achieve accurate dressing ingredient proportions.
• Measuring cups: Ensures correct liquid measurements for the dressing.
• Grater or zester: Optional for grating fresh ginger if using whole root.

Instructions for Building a Flavorful Asian Salad

• Blend Flavor Explosion

Create a zesty dressing by whisking rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, and a splash of sriracha in a small mixing bowl. The magic happens when these ingredients dance together, creating a tangy and vibrant sauce that will make your taste buds sing.

• Chop Veggie Symphony

Grab your cutting board and slice red cabbage into thin ribbons, julienne carrots for crunch, dice bell peppers for sweetness, and thinly slice cucumber and green onions. Roughly chop fresh cilantro to add a bright, herbal note to your salad masterpiece.

• Combine and Celebrate

Pour the dazzling dressing over your colorful veggie medley and gently toss until every leaf and slice is beautifully coated. Sprinkle a handful of toasted almonds and sesame seeds on top for a delightful crunch that elevates this salad from ordinary to extraordinary. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of Asian-inspired flavors in every refreshing bite.

Dressing Options for Crisp, Asian-Inspired Greens

• Whip up the dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
• Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to transform this light salad into a hearty main course for extra nutrition and substance.
• Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.
• Feel free to swap or substitute vegetables based on seasonal availability or personal preference – try radishes, snap peas, or edamame for different textures and tastes.
• Adjust sriracha amount to dial heat up or down, catering to individual spice tolerance while maintaining the salad's vibrant Asian-inspired profile.

Serve This Salad Cold With a Crunchy Texture

• Asian-Inspired Lunch Companion: Pair this vibrant salad with grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein-packed meal that fills you up without feeling heavy.
• Zen Bowl Transformation: Transform the salad into a hearty grain bowl by adding quinoa or brown rice, creating a more substantial and satisfying dining experience.
• Picnic Perfect Potluck Star: Pack the dressing separately when traveling, then toss just before serving to keep the greens crisp and fresh during outdoor gatherings or potluck events.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Experiment with additional toppings like crispy wonton strips, fresh edamame, or pickled radishes to add extra crunch and flavor complexity to the salad.

Salad Storage Advice for Later Enjoyment

• Store the salad dressing in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and freshness.
• Keep wet and dry salad ingredients separate until serving to maintain crisp vegetable textures and prevent soggy greens.
• Prepare extra dressing and keep it in a sealed mason jar, shaking well before each use to remix the separated ingredients.
• Chop vegetables in advance and store in separate sealed containers, allowing quick assembly of the salad within 5 minutes during busy weekdays.

Vibrant Salad with Asian Dressing Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crisp green Fusion Salad celebrates Asian-inspired flavors dancing through fresh vegetables and zesty dressing. Light, refreshing ingredients blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delightful, colorful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, or Napa cabbage)
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• ½ cup cucumber, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup green onions, chopped
• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup toasted almonds (or cashews/peanuts)
• 1 tbsps sesame seeds
• 3 tbsps rice vinegar
• 2 tbsps soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tbsps sesame oil
• 1 tbsps honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• ½ tsp sriracha (optional for spice)
• 1 tbsps olive oil

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Vigorously whisk rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, ginger, garlic, sriracha, and olive oil in a compact mixing vessel until ingredients form a harmonious, emulsified mixture.
2. Salad Construction: Layer mixed greens, red cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, green onions, and cilantro into a spacious bowl, creating a vibrant and textured vegetable landscape.
3. Final Assembly: Cascade the sesame-ginger dressing across the vegetable medley, gently tossing to ensure even coating, then crown the salad with a delicate sprinkle of toasted almonds and sesame seeds, transforming the dish into a crisp, flavor-packed culinary experience.

Notes

• Adjust sriracha and honey amounts to control spiciness and sweetness, tasting as you mix for perfect flavor harmony.
• Slice vegetables thinly and uniformly to ensure even distribution and consistent texture throughout the salad.
• Refrigerate vegetables and dressing beforehand to maintain crisp freshness and enhance overall salad temperature.
• Swap honey with agave for vegan version, use gluten-free soy sauce for celiac-friendly option, or add protein like grilled tofu or chicken for more substantial meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg