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Home » Recipes » Salad

Asian Chopped Salad with Sesame Dressing

Mar 26, 2025 by Kaitlin · 20 Comments

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This easy Asian Chopped Salad recipe features vibrant veggies and a delicious sesame-ginger dressing! It's so healthy, fresh, and great made ahead for picnics, potlucks, gatherings and take-along lunches. (Vegan, gluten-free, refined oil-free.)

Asian Chopped Salad with sesame dressing in a white bowl with lime slices

This Asian-inspired Chopped Salad is so fresh, healthy, and vibrant! Chopped salads are my favorite because you can just grab a spoon and dig in. So many textures and flavors in every bite.

This delicious salad features rainbow colors, crunchy savory nuts, and a flavorful sesame-ginger dressing to bring it all together. (So good!)

Plus it's fantastic for meal prep, picnics, potlucks, lunch at home, or even a light dinner. Feel free to customize it with your own favorite additions. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Purple cabbage, romaine lettuce, bell pepper, green onion, sugar snap peas, and herb ingredients laid out on a metal tray

Ingredients for Asian Chopped Salad

For this recipe, you'll toss together in a large bowl:

  • Romaine lettuce: Romaine is so crisp and provides a great base for this salad. I use a medium head which is about 4-5 cups chopped.
  • Purple cabbage: Or you can substitute Napa cabbage or green cabbage, but I prefer purple for the bright color. Cabbage is also part of the cruciferous family which is known for its powerful antioxidants and health-promoting nutrients, so it's great to include.
  • Sugar snap peas: Or you can substitute snow peas instead.
  • Green onion (scallion)
  • Julienned carrot: For convenience, I buy the bags of pre-cut julienned carrot. But you can cut or shred your own from whole carrots if desired.
  • Red bell pepper: Or you can use orange or yellow instead.
  • Fresh cilantro: Feel free to omit this if you're not a fan of the taste!
  • Roasted peanuts: I highly recommend adding roasted peanuts to this salad! They're great for crunch, texture, and plant-based protein. Sometimes I'll use a combination of peanuts and sliced almonds, but you can use all peanuts if you'd like. Or try roasted cashews as well!
  • Sesame dressing: We'll use one batch of this easy homemade Asian Sesame Ginger Dressing. It's so delicious with Asian-inspired flavors like rice vinegar, tamari, lime, miso, garlic, and ginger. Feel free to prepare it a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge so it's ready to go!
Overhead view of preparing salad ingredients in a large glass bowl before mixing together

Customizing

Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes to taste, or try a drizzle or sriracha.

Other additions: Add your favorite vegan chicken tenders, crispy wonton strips, mung bean sprouts, cooked edamame (soybeans), mint, or even Baked Tofu. You can also include other vegetables like celery or cucumber. (Or try this amazing Tofu Salad with Savory Dressing!)

Garnish: I like to garnish the finished salad with extra peanuts and almonds, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, and more cilantro. You could also add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Asian sesame ginger dressing being poured over a chopped salad in a large bowl

Storing

Already mixed: If the salad and dressing are already mixed together, I find it keeps for a day or two in an airtight container in the refrigerator before the salad starts getting soggy.

Stored separately: You can also meal prep this salad or prepare it in advance. Store the salad and dressing in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 2-3 days (or perhaps longer). Then toss together when ready to serve.

Serving: It's a tasty side dish for picnics, potlucks, gatherings, and take-along lunches!

Close up view of Asian Chopped Salad with sesame ginger dressing in a white serving bowl with fork

For more inspiration, also browse all Asian-inspired recipes or salad recipes.

Overhead view of Asian Chopped Salad with sesame dressing in a white bowl with lime slices

Asian Chopped Salad with Sesame Dressing

This easy Asian-inspired salad features vibrant veggies and a delicious sesame-ginger dressing! It's so healthy, fresh, and great made ahead for picnics, potlucks, gatherings and take-along lunches.
4.71 from 24 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 6 (1.5-cup servings)

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head romaine*
  • 1 1/2 cups purple cabbage
  • 1 cup julienned carrot
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas
  • 3 green onions
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2/3 cup roasted peanuts**
  • 1 batch Asian Sesame Ginger Dressing

Instructions

  • Make the Asian Sesame Ginger Dressing. (Or prepare this ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until ready.)
  • Chop the romaine lettuce and cabbage. (I like small pieces for the "chop salad style" so it's easy to scoop up with a spoon.) Place in a large bowl with the carrots.
  • Slice sugar snap peas and green onions. Dice bell pepper and roughly chop cilantro. Add them to the bowl.
  • Add the peanuts, then pour the dressing on top. Toss well to combine.
  • Top with additional sesame seeds, nuts, or cilantro if desired.

Notes

*Romaine: One medium head is about 4-5 cups chopped lettuce.
**Nuts: Or you can use 1/3 roasted peanuts + 1/3 cup sliced almonds. Add more as desired. Cashews would be tasty too!
Making ahead: Once the salad and dressing are tossed together, I find it keeps for a day or two in the fridge. If making further ahead of time, you can store the salad and dressing in separate containers. Then toss together right before serving so the salad doesn’t get soggy.
Yield: Recipe makes about 9 cups salad.
Original dressing: I've updated this recipe with a new dressing. But if you're looking for the original one, it's: 1/4 cup rice vinegar + 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil + 1 Tbsp. tamari + 1 Tbsp. maple syrup + 1.5 Tbsp. sesame seeds. Optional minced garlic and ginger.
Recipe originally published June 2015. Updated March 2025.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
Asian Chopped Salad with Sesame Dressing
Amount per Serving
Calories
183
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Potassium
 
388
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
15
g
5
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
6
g
7
%
Protein
 
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
5143
IU
103
%
Vitamin C
 
52
mg
63
%
Calcium
 
69
mg
7
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: 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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If you're enjoying this Asian Chopped Salad recipe, also check out:

  • Broccoli with Asian-Style Garlic Sauce
  • Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. MJ says

    May 25, 2023 at 12:48 am

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe. Just love it. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      May 25, 2023 at 8:42 am

      Fantastic! So glad you enjoyed and thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  2. Susan says

    April 14, 2023 at 2:43 pm

    5 stars
    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’ll definitely be making this again. Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      April 14, 2023 at 3:36 pm

      Hello Susan! So glad you enjoyed this with your warm weather. Thanks very much for sharing your kind and helpful feedback!

      Reply
  3. Tricie says

    April 12, 2023 at 8:03 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      April 12, 2023 at 9:15 am

      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!

      Reply
  4. Barb Kane says

    March 23, 2023 at 6:06 pm

    4 stars
    Just made this. Very nice light salad vinaigrette.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      March 23, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      Hello, Barb! Great to hear you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your feedback!

      Reply
  5. David says

    July 06, 2021 at 11:56 am

    3 stars
    Mediocre salad. I wish the dressing had more to it. Pretty bland overall and felt like rabbit food.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      July 06, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      Hey David - thanks for sharing your feedback. Feel free to add the optional garlic & ginger to the dressing, or peanuts, almonds, cashews, or baked tofu for a little more oomph!

      Update: I've since updated this recipe with a new dressing and more vibrant flavors!

      Reply
      • David says

        July 09, 2021 at 11:44 am

        4 stars
        Thanks Kaitlin! I actually added some more vinegar and sweetness to the dressing and seemed to do the trick. Thanks for the recipe.

        Reply
        • Kaitlin says

          July 09, 2021 at 12:05 pm

          That's awesome. I appreciate your follow-up and have a great weekend!

  6. Rachel says

    July 06, 2021 at 11:19 am

    5 stars
    This is delicious! Definitely needs something crunchy. We topped ours with wonton strips since I don’t really like almonds.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      July 06, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      Great idea - thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  7. Vicia Seargeant says

    May 26, 2021 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious and easy to make!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      May 26, 2021 at 2:58 pm

      Fantastic! Thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your kind feedback.

      Reply
  8. Phyllis Rich says

    June 23, 2018 at 3:22 pm

    Just tried this recipe last night. Didn't use cilantro since one family member doesn't like it. Excellent flavor! Fresh, colorful. Will definitely make again.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      September 05, 2018 at 3:03 pm

      Wonderful to hear, Phyllis! Thanks for sharing, and hope you continue to enjoy it!

      Reply
  9. Rocco Rossi says

    November 30, 2016 at 2:14 am

    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 colors. Thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      December 10, 2016 at 8:25 pm

      Awesome to hear your family enjoyed it, Rocco! Great modifications as well. Thanks for sharing your helpful feedback!

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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