Description

A vibrant and crunchy Cashew Crunch Salad featuring finely shredded green and purple cabbage, matchstick carrots, fresh cilantro, and edamame, all tossed with a flavorful sesame dressing. This salad is enhanced with roasted cashews and optional crunchy chow mein noodles for added texture, and can be served with your choice of protein such as chicken or shrimp. The dressing is a tangy blend of olive oil, white vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic powder, with an optional creamy twist using Greek yogurt or mayo.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

1/2 head of green cabbage, finely shredded
1/2 head of purple cabbage, finely shredded
2 cups carrots, matchstick-cut or shredded
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup sliced green onion
2 cups cooked edamame
1–2 cups roasted cashews
2 cups crunchy chow mein noodles (optional)
Chicken, shrimp, or any other protein you like (quantity as desired)

Dressing Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
A few shakes of garlic powder
Optional: 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise (adjust to taste)

Instructions

Prepare the Dressing: Combine olive oil, white vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and garlic powder in a jar. Shake vigorously until the mixture is smooth. If using, add Greek yogurt or mayonnaise and shake again until well blended to create a creamy dressing.
Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded green and purple cabbage, carrots, cilantro, sliced green onion, cooked edamame, roasted cashews, and crunchy chow mein noodles if using. Add your preferred protein if desired.
Dress and Serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat everything with the dressing. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Adjust the amount of roasted cashews according to your preference for crunchiness.
Cook edamame by boiling or steaming shelled beans before adding them to the salad.
Use Greek yogurt or mayonnaise in the dressing to create a creamy texture rather than a vinaigrette.
The crunchy chow mein noodles are optional but add a delightful texture contrast.
For added protein, grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp complement this salad well.
Store leftover dressing separately and toss salad just before serving to maintain crispness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Keywords: Cashew Crunch Salad, Sesame Dressing, Cabbage Salad, Crunchy Salad, Edamame Salad, Asian Salad, Healthy Salad, Easy Salad Recipe, No-Cook Salad