Crunchy, savory, perfectly spicy, this simple Asian crunch edamame salad is the ultimate meal prep lunch recipe. It’s naturally vegetarian, gluten free, easy to make and drizzled with a peanut dressing that is to die for.
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I know this is called an edamame salad, but before you go and imagine a tasteless pile of soybeans, let me tell you about this recipe.
It starts with a base of, you guessed it… edamame! It’s then mixed up with a bunch of different raw veggies (kale, cabbage, carrots) which will soon taste nothing like veggies usually taste like.
They’ll be smothered in a creamy, tangy, subtly sweet peanut dressing that comes together in a matter of 30 seconds. Top it all off with crunchy roasted cashews, chopped cilantro and scallions for flavor, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice.
To really make it taste and feel like a dish from your favorite restaurant, add a handful of crispy wonton sticks on top!
How to make this recipe
Rinse the quinoa and add to a pot with 1 cup of water. Cook according to these instructions.
Meanwhile, add the edamame to a bowl with 1/2 cup of water and cover. Microwave on high for 5-7 minutes, or add to a steamer basket and steam on the stove. You don’t want to eat raw edamame straight from the bag, so we just need to cook it quickly before adding to the salad.
While those are cooking, prepare the other veggies. Shred the cabbage (I like to use a mandoline), finely chop the kale, grate the carrot and chop the scallions and cilantro.
When the edamame and quinoa are done, let cool for about 10 minutes.
Add all ingredients for the dressing into a shaker bottle, mason jar, or just a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Depending on the peanut butter and soy sauce you used, you may want a small pinch of salt.
Add the quinoa, edamame and all veggies to a large mixing bowl.
Pour the dressing on top of the salad and mix until well combined.
Top with chopped roasted cashews and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Recipe tips & tricks
- If you have a peanut allergy, sub the peanut butter in the dressing for any other nut or seed butter of your choice. For this recipe, I’d recommend almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter.
- This salad gets better with time as the dressing has a chance to soften the veggies and infuse them with flavor. As prepared, it will keep in the fridge for about 5 days in an air tight container.
- Feel free to throw in or take out any veggies from this recipe. Don’t like kale? Sub for spinach! Add some broccoli or anything else you enjoy. This recipe is easily customizable depending on what you have on hand.
- To make life easier, I recommend purchasing shelled edamame for this recipe. Shelled edamame has been removed from the shell so you won’t need to do that yourself.
- Serve this salad with grilled chicken, teriyaki salmon, or my orange cauliflower for a vegetarian option.
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Asian Edamame Peanut Crunch Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 pound 16 ounces frozen edamame (not in the shell)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 2 cups finely chopped kale
- 2 large carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup chopped roasted cashews (can sub for peanuts)
- Optional: crispy wonton strips
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp natural creamy peanut butter (preferably unsalted)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey (maple syrup for vegan)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 clove garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp sriracha (can omit if you don’t like spice)
- 2-4 tbsp water to thin
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa and add to a pot with 1 cup of water. Cook according to these instructions.
- Meanwhile, add the edamame to a bowl with 1/2 cup of water and cover. Microwave on high for 5-7 minutes, or add to a steamer basket and steam on the stove.
- While those are cooking, prepare the other veggies. Shred the cabbage (I like to use a mandoline), finely chop the kale, grate the carrot and chop the scallions and cilantro.
- When the edamame and quinoa are done, let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Add all ingredients for the dressing into a shaker bottle, mason jar, or just a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Add the quinoa, edamame and all veggies to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the dressing on top and mix until well combined.
- Top with chopped roasted cashews and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
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