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Asian Summer Salad Topped Three Ways

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Who doesn’t love a cool, crisp salad to beat the summer heat? We’ve got a recipe that is perfect for a weekend family BBQ or busy weeknight. The secret is in the dressing. Creamy, gingery and peanut buttery, it’s so good, you’ll want to eat it with a spoon! But that’s not even the best part—this easy salad can be topped three different ways for maximum flavor potential. You can even tuck it into a whole-wheat wrap for an on-the-go lunch!

Check out our quick how-to video below, and don’t forget to take a pic and post it with #TakingOnHealthy.

Ingredients:

For the salad (makes about 8 cups):

  • ½ head Napa cabbage, thinly shredded
  • ¼ head red cabbage, thinly shredded
  • 2 carrots, shredded
  • 3 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
  • Options:
    • 1 can sliced water chestnuts
    • 1 can mandarin oranges in water (drained and rinsed)

For the dressing (makes 1 cup):

  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey (substitute agave to make vegan)
  • 3 tablespoons natural smooth peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • Optional for heat:
    • 1 tablespoon more/less Sriracha pepper sauce to taste

Add your protein of choice:

  • 8 ounces chopped, seasoned chicken
  • 8 ounces cooked shrimp
  • 8 ounces cooked tempeh (vegan)

Optional garnishes:

  • Chinese noodles
  • Roasted, unsalted peanuts
  • Fresh cilantro

Directions:

  1. Mix salad ingredients in a bowl, set aside.
  2. Add dressing ingredients to a separate bowl and whisk together until smooth.
  3. Pour dressing onto mixed salad, top with desired protein and any garnishes.
  4. Toss together and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts:


Salad without Protein (vegan):

Calories: 137
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 26g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 6g
Fiber: 8g

Salad with Chicken (3 oz.):

Calories: 267
Fat: 3g
Carbs: 27g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 31g
Fiber: 8g

Salad with Shrimp (3 oz.):

Calories: 237
Fat: 2g
Carbs: 26g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 28g
Fiber: 8g

Salad with Tempeh (3 oz., vegan):

Calories: 299
Fat: 9g
Carbs: 34g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 60g
Fiber: 8g

Add Dressing (1 tablespoon):

Calories: 37
Fat: 5g
Carbs: 4g
Sugar: 3g
Protein: 0.8g
Fiber: 0.2g