Asian Salad Recipe with Sesame Ginger Dressing
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This easy-to-make Asian salad recipe is packed full of healthy veggies and tossed in a tasty sesame ginger dressing. It's a fresh, crunchy, and seriously delicious side dish that takes just 15 minutes to make!
Complete your Asian-inspired meal with our garlic ginger chicken or baked sesame ginger chicken and a side of our favorite coconut rice.
Who doesn't love a salad full of crispy veggies and crunchy roasted peanuts in a sweet sesame dressing? This easy-to-make Asian carrot salad is full of fresh and bright flavors. Not only is it super tasty, but it's also super healthy.
This versatile Asian salad with sesame oil, ginger, and cashews is on high rotation in our kitchen. It has a lot going for it and it's a crowd-pleaser. We love the delicious mix of crispy veggies, crunchy nuts, fresh herbs, and tangy sesame dressing. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Why we love this salad
Here are a few reasons why we love this Asian salad recipe:
- It's full of crunch – the right kind. We grate the carrots so they're easy enough to chew (unlike chopped carrots.)
- The dressing is simple but delicious. It's got the perfect sweet-tart combination and pairs perfectly with the subtle sweetness of the carrots.
- The salted peanuts offer the perfect taste and crunch.
- It's easy to make, and we love easy recipes!
Ingredients needed
Here's everything you'll need to make the Asian salad recipe:
- The veggies: carrots, red pepper, celery, red onion, and cilantro
- Plus these flavor enhancers: toasted sesame seeds and roasted peanuts.
Here's what you'll need for the delicious Asian salad dressing:
- Sesame oil
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Grated ginger
- Garlic
- Sea salt
How to make this Asian salad recipe
Here's how to make this Asian carrot salad at home in a few simple steps:
- Start by making the dressing. Just whisk the ingredients in a small bowl or shake them together in a mason jar. Easy!
- Now add the grated and chopped veggies to a salad bowl and pour the dressing over the top.
- All that's left to do is to grab a fork and dig in!
Variations to try
There are lots of ways to customize this beautiful Asian salad. Here are a few ideas to mix up:
- Add in some cooked edamame for more protein.
- Swap the peanuts for cashews or almonds.
- Use rainbow carrots for all their beautiful colors.
- Use black sesame seeds (or a mix of black and white) for visual pop.
- Add basil in place of some of the cilantro for a more bright flavor.
- Add some grated or julienned Asian pear for a more juicy crunch.
- Use orange juice instead of lemon in the dressing for a unique citrus-orange taste.
How to serve Asian salad
This versatile carrot salad recipe is perfect for pairing with any Asian-inspired meal. We love serving it alongside some slow-baked Asian salmon or glazed hoisin chicken drumsticks and our favorite coconut rice.
Serve it family-style to a crowd with our colorful pineapple fried rice or soy ginger noodles.
You could even use it as a slaw atop our Thai turkey lettuce wraps or best black bean veggie burger.
And if you love Asian-inspired salads, also try our easy Asian coleslaw and our healthy Asian noodle salad!
Recipe FAQs
How long does this salad last?
While this salad is best eaten shortly after you make it, it can easily be kept in your fridge and eaten for several days afterward. It's a great salad to make for meal prep!
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
If you're prepping ahead for dinner, you can chop all the veggies a day in advance and make the dressing several days ahead. But wait until you're ready to serve it before you mix everything together.
What's the easiest way to grate carrots?
We like to use our box grater as it's quick to take out of the cupboard and clean up afterward. However, many people like to use the grating attachment on their food processor. Both options work well so choose which one is best for you!
Asian Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Asian Salad
- 2 medium carrots (grated)
- 1 medium red pepper (finely diced)
- 2 stalks celery (finely diced)
- ¼ medium red onion (finely diced)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts (can sub almonds or cashews)
Sesame Dressing
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 small garlic clove (grated (preferably with a Microplane))
- A pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all the sesame dressing ingredients in a small jar and shake it well.2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 small garlic clove, A pinch of sea salt
- Add the Asian salad ingredients to a medium-sized bowl.2 medium carrots, 1 medium red pepper, 2 stalks celery, ¼ medium red onion, ¼ cup cilantro, 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, ¼ cup roasted peanuts
- Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat.
Video
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our salad recipes!
Made this salad as a side for Lo Mein. It is a colorful, crunchy, fresh salad and a great side that would go well with grilled chicken, too. I used cashews and it was a very tasty substitute for peanuts. Will visit this site and make this salad again. Thank you.
Soooo delicious! My husband and I are big fans of your recipes.
Thank you for your talent and creativity!
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment! You made my day!
Stunning side salad. Love the crunch of the nuts though I often change it to peanuts .
Wow. I could eat this salad every day. I tossed in a handful of chopped snow peas and the cashews and scattered some wontons on top. I can see it served with grilled shrimp or salmon for company.
I really liked this recipe. Next time I make it ill add just a little bit more honey for a slightly sweeter taste. I also added small cubes of sushi grade tuna to it which i thought worked great. Will definitely make it again!
Loved it, great with Chinese spare ribs!
Now it’s my fav sider for gydza, takoyaki and other asian dishes! Thank you! Ps I also like to add a cucumber to it!
Simple, tasty goes with any bbq meat
Simply amazing! Everyone at home loved it. Thanks for sharing it
You’re very welcome!
The taste of the salad was just amazing I really loiked it I wanted to try a new kind of a salad for a change and I landed on this article thanks for sharing it Keep making such amazing recipe Keep up the good work
You’re very welcome!
This salad was great. Super easy to make, flavorful, colorful, and fun.
So happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Joe!
Hello! It looks great and I am looking for an Asian salad recipe. Do you use toasted sesame oil or regular sesame oil? There is a big difference so I wanted to ask. Thank you!
I use toasted sesame oil!
Has anyone tried with lime instead of lemon?
Lime is more Asian.
I think that lime would be great in this recipe, too!
I served this salad at a dinner party and received RAVES . . . thank goodness I increased the recipe because every single guest had seconds! Unbelievably delicious and I now make it just for us and plan to do so for dinner tonight. Thank you!!
I’m so happy to hear that the recipe was a hit! Thanks, Megan!
I made this for my girlfriends get together on Saturday. i added in shredded cabbage (red and white.) It was a huge hit and guess what? It makes great leftovers. I am enjoying it as I type this! Highly recommend.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Marta!
Easy, tasty and so pretty! I added store bought chopped slaw mix to it. Delicious!
So happy you enjoyed the recipe!