Who said salads were boring? Jazz up your everyday salad go-tos with these versatile Asian salads. Trust me, veggies have never tasted more sweet, zesty, and spicy. Save on the plane ticket and transport yourself to the far East through taste. Fresh, crunchy, aromatic Asian salads are the welcome change you never knew you needed. From Thai green papaya salad to gochujang pork tenderloin salad, there are so many flavors to love. So, go on. Be adventurous! Dive into these Asian salad recipes.
1. Ramen Noodle Asian Salad
Dried packaged ramen is a genius ready-in-minutes meal. But on hot summer days, you don’t want another reason to sweat. This fresh ramen noodle salad is the answer to all your problems. And get this, it even uses the seasoning packet in the dressing! Pretty cool, right? Shredded cabbage, carrots, almond slivers, sunflower seeds, and crunchy ramen noodles add so much texture. It’s all levels of satisfying crunch.
2. Vietnamese Shredded Chicken Salad
If you love bright, spicy, South-Eastern flavors, you’re going to drool over this salad. Shredded rotisserie chicken really bulks this dish up. It also adds a nice amount of filling protein. Mostly, salads are enjoyed as a healthy side dish. But you can definitely get away with serving this chicken salad as a main. It’s super satisfying and easy, too. Simply shred your chicken, chop up the veggies, and whisk up the dress. Toss it all together, and boom! Dinner is served.
3. Spicy Thai Carrot and Zucchini Ribbon Salad
When you’re looking to turn up the heat and serve a side salad that packs a punch, this is your new go-to recipe. Even more sensational than the zesty spice, are the stunning colors. This salad has a wonderful rainbow of bright colors. That’s all thanks to yellow zucchini ribbons, orange carrots, and red bell peppers. Serve this to dinner guests and it’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, if you’re not the biggest fan of spice, simply skip the chili in the dressing.
4. Asian Cucumber Salad
As cool as a cucumber, this Asian cucumber salad is the perfect refreshing appetizer. On hot summer evenings, kick start your meal with a bite of these cooling cucumbers. Light, fresh, and healthy, this salad is just the treat for sunshine-filled days. The secret to this dish’s success is the addictive dressing. Garlicky and savory with a hint of sweetness, you’ll want to eat the whole bowl. And it’s super easy to whip up. Seriously, if you know how to cut a cucumber, then you can make this salad!
5. Gochujang Pork Tenderloin Salad with Snap Peas & Peanuts (GF)
Salads aren’t just for vegetarians, you know. Meat lovers will fall in love with this pork tenderloin salad. It’s definitely a dish that’s sure to wow. Slices of caramelized pork are layered onto a crunchy mix of butter lettuce, sugar snap peas, radishes, herbs, and peanuts. Then, the magic sauce is drizzled on top; a dressing made from spicy gochujang. This meaty marvel is a delicious dinner party dish. Serve this, and guests will absolutely ask you for another invitation.
6. Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)
One bite of this fresh, authentic, and aromatic salad, and you’ll be transported to the streets of Thailand. The sour, tangy, and sweet dressing is spiked with a hit of fresh chili. Great for spicy food fiends. If you’ve never tried green papaya, you really need to! All it is unripened papaya. It has a crispy texture and neutral taste, which makes it the perfect flavor carrying vessel for that yummy dressing.
7. Thai Mango Salad
If the green papaya salad has you hooked, then you’ll be obsessed with this Thai mango salad! And this vibrant salad only takes 30 minutes to throw together. Planning a Thai themed dinner? This fresh and light salad is the perfect palate cleansing side dish for hearty Thai mains. Like green papayas, green mangos are simply unripened mangoes. They have a similar crispy texture and light taste. It’s the perfect fruit to highlight that delicious dressing!
8. Rainbow Chopped Salad with Sesame-Garlic Dressing
This nutrient packed rainbow salad is a healthy eater’s dream. It’s also stunning to look at and oh-so delicious to eat! The color and crunch of this fresh salad is chef’s kiss. Plus, the dressing is just garlicky, ginger perfection. Serve this delightful salad with grilled meats, fish, or summer themed frittatas. It’s the perfect pairing partner.
9. Thai Pomelo Salad (Yam Som-O)
When I’m looking for a fresh, fruity salad with an exotic twist, I turn to this pomelo recipe every time. It’s packed full of flavors, protein, and goodness. You just can’t say no! So, what’s a pomelo? It’s a large citrus fruit that tastes similar to a grapefruit, only sweeter. They’re starting to get a lot more popular on this side of the sea. So, you should be able to get your hands on one without much trouble. Toss poached shrimp, pomelo, roasted peanuts, lime juice, cilantro, and seasonings together. Serve this immediately! That’s when the flavor is at its best.
10. Asian Chicken Salad
Tender, juicy, teriyaki chicken is tossed with crunchy carrot, cabbage, and cashews. And that’s not all. It’s finished with a mouth-watering, garlicky dressing. Yum. And it’s so easy to make. If you can grill chicken, chop vegetables, and whisk up a dressing, you’re good to go! It’s also packed with goodness like fiber, protein, and nutrients. So, don’t hold back on seconds!
11. Thai Beef Salad
Personally, I think Asian salads are the best kind of salads in the world. And this Thai beef salad just proves why. It’s zingy, fresh, and slightly spicy. Sounds like a dream to me! Grilled, tender beef is what makes this Thai salad shine. Juicy, salty, and oh-so delicious, the flavors are mouth-wateringly good. Plus, it’s a great way to use steak, as a little goes a long way. That’s good news for those on a tight budget!
12. Easy Crunchy Asian Salad
Looking for an easy, stress-free, mid-week dinner? This crunchy salad-slaw comes together in only 20 minutes. It’s crispy, freshness makes it the perfect side salad for just about anything. Fish, meat, eggs, you name it! If you have stray veggies hanging about in the fridge, this salad is a great way to use up leftover vegetables.
13. Miso Ginger Edamame Salad
The summer sun is out, it’s time for fresh, crunchy salads! Crunchy cabbage and edamame are coated in a dreamy miso ginger dressing. Seriously, this stuff is good. If you’re looking for a tasty way to get more veggies into your diet, this salad has you covered. Even picky eaters will love it. Put more plants on your plate this summer. This crispy veg salad pairs so well with all kinds of meat and fish. Enjoy!
14. Gado Gado (Indonesian Salad with Peanut Sauce)
If you’re on a health kick, you have to try this delicious Indonesian salad. It’s probably one of the few recipes where you can put ‘blanched vegetables’ and ‘tasty’ in the same sentence. It’s all thanks to that Gado Gado miracle peanut sauce! Plain vegetables are turned into luscious, flavorsome delights. A miracle for sure. This clever trick is a great way to get the kids eating more veggies. It’s guaranteed to please.
15. Filipino Mango and Tomato Salad
You have to try this fresh and fruity Filipino mango and tomato salad. It’s a lovely, light, and refreshing side to pair with your favorite grilled meats and fish. Dive into this medley of juicy mangoes and tomatoes tossed in a vinaigrette dressing. It’s seriously delicious. Serve this eye-catching salad at your next barbeque. You’ll have smiling faces all around!
16. Buko Salad
Who doesn’t love a sweet and juicy fruit salad? And this fruit salad is definitely something to get excited about. Buko salad is a Filipino fruit salad often served at celebrations and fiestas. And for good reason. It’s a party in your mouth! There are a few ingredients here you might not recognize. Like kaong (sugar palm fruit) and nata de coco (coconut jell). You can definitely find these items at your local Asian grocery store.
17. Japanese Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressing (Gomaae)
When I’m looking to add some leafy greens to my meal, this spinach salad is my go-to. It’s so easy to whip up and pairs with just about everything. Spinach gomaae is one of the most popular side dishes in Japan, or ‘Osozai’. Blanched spinach leaves are dressed in a nutty sesame dressing and topped with white sesame seeds. This is a great way to sneak in some extra greens.
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