A crisp and fresh Asian-style Chopped Salad recipe with an easy sesame vinaigrette dressing! Great make-ahead dish for picnics, potlucks, gatherings and take-along lunches. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free option.)
This Asian-inspired Chopped Salad is so fresh and delicious!
Chopped salads are my favorite because you can just grab a spoon and dig in. So many textures and flavors in every bite.
This salad combines rainbow colors, a simple sesame vinaigrette, and crisp Asian-style vegetables.
Ingredients for Asian Chopped Salad
For this recipe you will toss together in a large bowl:
- Romaine lettuce: Romaine is so crisp and rich in nutrients. It's a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. Plus it contains carotenoid phytonutrients like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin which studies show have powerful antioxidant properties.
- Purple cabbage: Or you can substitute napa cabbage or green cabbage. I like purple for the bright color. Cabbage is a member of the cruciferous family which are known for their powerful antioxidants and health-promoting nutrients.
- Snow peas: Or substitute with sugar snap peas instead.
- Green onion (scallion)
- Shredded carrot
- Red bell pepper: Simply omit this if you're not a fan of raw bell pepper in salads.
- Fresh cilantro
- Rice vinegar: I use unseasoned rice vinegar which does not contain added sugar and salt.
- Toasted sesame oil
- Tamari: Or use soy sauce, but I use tamari for gluten-free. Coconut aminos could also work. Be sure to use low sodium if desired.
- Pure maple syrup: This is my favorite natural sweetener, but feel free to use your own favorite or what you have on hand.
- Sesame seeds
Note: You can also add minced garlic cloves or freshly grated ginger to the dressing if you'd like!
Customizing
Add nuts: Slivered almonds, crushed peanuts, or roasted cashews are also a great addition for crunch and protein.
Peanut dressing (oil-free): Instead of the light sesame dressing, you could toss this salad with a rich and flavorful oil-free peanut dressing instead. Simply use a thinned out version of this creamy Thai Peanut Sauce recipe with garlic and ginger.
Other additions: Add your favorite vegan chicken tenders, crispy wonton strips, cooked edamame (soybeans), celery, or even Baked Tofu.
Storing
Making in advance: Store the prepared dressing and salad in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Then toss together when you're ready to serve. This will help keep it fresh and crisp.
Tip: This Asian-style salad is a tasty side dish for picnics, potlucks, gatherings, and take-along lunches!
For more inspiration, also browse all Asian-inspired recipes or salad recipes.
Asian-Style Chopped Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 large head romaine lettuce
- 1 1/2 cups purple cabbage
- 1 1/2 cups snow peas
- 3-4 green onions
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- Optional: I highly recommend adding peanuts or sliced/slivered almonds as well.
For the sesame dressing:
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar (I use unseasoned)
- 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
- Optional: minced garlic or freshly grated ginger
Instructions
- Chop romaine and cabbage. Place in a large bowl.
- Slice snow peas and green onions. Dice bell pepper, slice carrots, and roughly chop cilantro. Add to bowl.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients.
- Pour over salad and toss to combine.
- Top with additional sesame seeds if desired. (Or slivered almonds for crunch.)
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)
Sodium: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.
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Mj
Amazing recipe. Just love it. Thanks so much.
Kaitlin
Fantastic to hear! So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing!
Tricie
Made this for dinner last night to go with an Asian inspired vegan soup and it was a hit! Dressing had lots of flavor and was amazing over all the fresh salad veggies. This will definitely be added to our dinner rotation.
Kaitlin
Aww, so happy to hear you enjoyed it Tricie! Great idea pairing it with an Asian-inspired soup. Thanks so much for sharing your kind feedback!
barb kane
Just made this. Added 2 teas tahini. Very nice light salad vinaigrette.
Kaitlin
What a great idea adding tahini to the dressing. Thanks for sharing your helpful feedback, Barb!
Jane
Made this with your peanut sauce and it was fantastic! Just thinned out the sauce with water like was recommended. Really great flavors and colors.
Kaitlin
Wonderful to hear, Jane! Thanks for the feedback.
Susan
Made this the other night for dinner. It was unseasonably warm so it was perfect! We grilled a tuna steak that I sliced and put on top. Delicious!! I did add some grated ginger and a pinch of garlic powder to the dressing - great flavor! I’ll definitely be making this again. Thank you!!
Kaitlin
Hello Susan! So glad you enjoyed this with your warm weather. Thanks very much for sharing your kind and helpful feedback!
David
Mediocre salad. I wish the dressing had more to it. Pretty bland overall and felt like rabbit food.
Kaitlin
Hey David - thanks for sharing your feedback. Feel free to add garlic & ginger to the dressing, or peanuts, almonds, cashews, or baked tofu for a little more oomph!
David
Thanks Kaitlin! I actually added some more vinegar and sweetness to the dressing and seemed to do the trick. Thanks for the recipe.
Kaitlin
That's awesome. I appreciate your follow-up! If you ever feel like giving the salad another go, you could also check out this Peanut Sauce (one of my favorite recipes) which can be thinned out for a flavorful dressing as well. Have a great weekend!
Rachel
This is delicious! Definitely needs something crunchy. We topped ours with wonton strips since I don’t really like almonds.
Kaitlin
Great idea - thanks for sharing!
Vicia Seargeant
Delicious and easy to make!
Kaitlin
Wonderful to hear! Thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your kind feedback.
Phyllis Rich
Just tried this recipe last night. Added 1 t. minced garlic and 1 t. minced ginger in the dressing as suggested. Didn't use cilantro since one family member doesn't like it. Excellent flavor! Fresh, colorful. Will definitely make again.
Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer
That's so great! Thanks for sharing!
Ms. Suzanne
Is there another kind of vinegar I could use besides rice wine? I don't have any of that.
Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer
You could maybe try apple cider vinegar instead!
Unknown
What brand soy sauce did you use? There are so many out there.
Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer
I use San-J Organic Tamari.
rocco rossi
Wonderful salad! My family really enjoyed this. I also added the slivered almonds and some sweet corn. I doubled the dressing (except for the sesame seeds). We don't like coriander so didn't add to salad. Will definitely have this again. Loved the colours. Thanks for a great recipe.
Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer
That's so great! Thanks for you helpful feedback!
Nancy Live-Nimble
This is so Yum!!! Light and fresh, and very nutritious, something I can make with is usually in the refrigerator. Thank you for such yummy recipes!
Ann Huffcutt
You are a salad rock star! Thanks for yet another delicious and beautiful addition!
Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer
Thank you so much!