Cashew Crunch Salad with Sesame Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and crunchy Cashew Crunch Salad tossed with a flavorful sesame dressing, perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish. Loaded with fresh cabbage, carrots, edamame, and roasted cashews, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes complemented by a tangy, slightly sweet dressing that can be made creamy with Greek yogurt or mayo.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1/2 head green cabbage, finely shredded
- 1/2 head purple cabbage, finely shredded
- 2 cups carrots, matchstick-cut or shredded
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced green onion
- 2 cups cooked edamame
- 1-2 cups roasted cashews
- 2 cups crunchy chow mein noodles (optional)
- Protein of choice such as chicken or shrimp
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- A few shakes garlic powder
- Optional: 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Shake the olive oil, white vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and garlic powder in a jar vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Creaminess (Optional): If you prefer a creamy dressing, add Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to the jar and shake again until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the shredded green and purple cabbage, carrots, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, cooked edamame, roasted cashews, crunchy chow mein noodles (if using), and your choice of protein.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving dish and serve immediately for the best crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Use roasted cashews for deeper flavor; if unavailable, lightly toast raw cashews in a dry pan until golden.
- Edamame can be purchased frozen and cooked by steaming or boiling according to package instructions.
- For a vegan variation, omit the protein or substitute with tofu, and avoid adding Greek yogurt or mayo in the dressing.
- Chow mein noodles are optional but add an extra crunch; substitute with crushed crispy wonton strips if unavailable.
- Dressing can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days; stir well before using.
