Irresistible Cashew Crunch Salad with Sesame Dressing Recipe

Every summer gathering deserves a crisp cashew crunch salad that surprises guests with unexpected flavor combinations.

Fresh ingredients dance together in delightful harmony.

Nutty cashews provide remarkable texture against tender greens.

Bright sesame dressing weaves magical notes through each bite.

Crisp vegetables add satisfying crunch and vibrant colors to this delectable dish.

Quick preparation means minimal kitchen time with maximum enjoyment.

Go ahead and impress everyone with this simple yet sophisticated salad that promises to become your new favorite.

Why This Cashew Crunch Salad Is a Must-Try

• Enjoy a delightful crunch from fresh vegetables and toasted cashews that creates an irresistible sensory experience in every bite.
• Serve as a side dish, light lunch, or potluck favorite that appeals to health-conscious eaters and flavor enthusiasts alike.
• Easily adapt the recipe by adding protein like grilled chicken or tofu, transforming it into a complete and satisfying meal.

What You’ll Need for the Sesame Crunch Bowl

• Rice Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar: Bright and tangy base for a zesty flavor profile, adds acidic balance.
• Sesame Oil: Authentic Asian-inspired nutty essence that gives deep, rich undertone.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that smooths out vinegar's sharpness, creates balanced taste.
• Soy Sauce: Salty umami element that enhances overall dressing complexity.
• Ginger: Fresh, spicy note that provides warmth and depth to the dressing.
• Garlic: Pungent aromatic that adds robust savory background flavor.

• Cabbage, Carrots: Crunchy foundational vegetables with fresh texture and natural sweetness.
• Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetable that adds crisp texture and bright flavor contrast.
• Scallions: Mild onion flavor that provides sharp, fresh accent to the salad.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb with bright, citrusy undertones that lifts overall dish flavor.

• Cashews: Rich, buttery nuts that provide substantial crunch and protein boost, best when lightly toasted.

How to Toss the Perfect Cashew Crunch Salad

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Sesame Dressing

• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Minced fresh ginger
• Crushed garlic

Whisk everything together until the mixture transforms into a silky, well-combined sauce. Taste and tweak the seasoning to make it sing with your favorite flavor notes.

Step 2: Chop and Prepare Vibrant Veggie Mix

• Slice crisp green cabbage into thin ribbons
• Julienne bright orange carrots
• Dice colorful bell peppers
• Thinly slice green scallions
• Roughly chop fresh cilantro
• Roughly chop roasted cashews

Toss all these crunchy ingredients together in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a rainbow of textures and colors.

Step 3: Bring the Salad to Life

Drizzle the prepared sesame dressing over the vegetable mixture. Use tongs or salad servers to coat every morsel thoroughly. For maximum crunch, serve immediately. If you prefer deeper flavor melding, let the salad rest for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.

Tips for Crisp Texture and Balanced Dressing

• Customize Your Crunch: Swap raw cashews for toasted ones to intensify their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the salad.
• Balance Texture Perfectly: Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure every bite has a consistent, satisfying crunch and even dressing distribution.
• Prep Ahead Smartly: Prepare dressing and chop vegetables separately up to a day in advance, keeping them refrigerated to maintain freshness and save time.
• Dietary Flexibility: Make the salad gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce, and vegan by replacing honey with maple syrup in the dressing.
• Boost Protein Power: Add grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to transform this side dish into a complete and filling main course meal.

Best Practices for Saving This Salad

• Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days, keeping dressing and salad separate to maintain crispness.
• Place cashews and dressing in different sealed containers to prevent sogginess and preserve texture.
• Quickly toss salad with fresh cashews and a splash of dressing to revive crunchiness and flavor before enjoying leftovers.
• Do not freeze this salad, as vegetables will lose their crisp texture and become watery upon thawing.

Pairing Options to Round Out the Crunch

• Select a slightly sweet Riesling wine that complements the nutty cashew and tangy sesame flavors, balancing the salad's bright and crunchy profile.
• Enhance the Asian-inspired dressing with a zesty ginger kombucha, which adds refreshing probiotics and a light, sparkling kick to the meal.
• Create a complete meal by pairing the salad with tender grilled lemongrass chicken, which echoes the herbal and citrusy notes in the dish.
• Brew a cool green tea to mirror the sesame and herb components, providing a clean and subtle backdrop that doesn't overpower the salad's delicate flavors.

Easy Ways to Change Up the Crunch Game

• Gluten-Free Cashew Crunch: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to ensure gluten-free compatibility. Verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Protein Boost: Swap cashews with roasted almonds or pumpkin seeds. Add edamame or crispy tofu cubes for extra plant-based protein.
• Low-Carb Veggie Swap: Substitute cabbage with cauliflower rice or shredded zucchini. Reduce bell peppers to lower carbohydrate content while maintaining crunch.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Replace cashews with sunflower seeds or roasted pumpkin seeds. Use seed butter instead of nut-based ingredients in the dressing for allergen-friendly preparation.

Your Questions About This Crunchy Salad, Solved

• What makes the cashew crunch in this salad?

The cashews provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, adding texture and protein to the salad. They’re best added just before serving to maintain their crisp texture.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Prepare the vegetables and dressing separately, storing them in the refrigerator. Combine and add cashews just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.

• Is this salad healthy?

Absolutely! It’s packed with fresh vegetables, provides a good source of vitamins, minerals, and protein from the cashews. The sesame dressing adds flavor without excessive calories.

• Are there any nuts I can substitute for cashews?

Almonds or peanuts work great as alternatives. Choose roasted and unsalted nuts for the best flavor and crunch in the salad.

Cashew Crunch Salad with Sesame Dressing Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp cashew crunch salad dazzles with Asian-inspired sesame dressing, blending nutty textures and zesty flavors. Refreshing greens and toasted cashews create a delightful harmony you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables and Produce:

• 2 cups (480 ml) shredded green cabbage
• 2 cups (480 ml) shredded red cabbage
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (240 ml) shredded carrots
• 3 scallions, sliced
• ½ cup (120 ml) cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh grated ginger

Protein and Nuts:

• 1 cup (240 ml) roasted cashews
• Optional: edamame or avocado

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil or avocado oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) maple syrup or honey
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) tahini or peanut butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: crispy wonton strips

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Instructions

1. Whisk the dressing components vigorously in a glass container until a silky, uniform texture emerges, ensuring all elements blend seamlessly and developing a harmonious flavor profile.
2. Slice cabbage into delicate, translucent ribbons and julienne carrots with precision, creating thin, elegant strips that will enhance the salad’s visual appeal.
3. Dice bell peppers into uniform, petite cubes and finely chop scallions, releasing their subtle, pungent essence into the vegetable mixture.
4. Gently combine the prepared vegetables in a spacious mixing vessel, allowing the ingredients to intermingle and create a vibrant, colorful foundation.
5. Roughly chop cashews to introduce a robust, textural element, breaking them into irregular pieces that will provide delightful crunch throughout the salad.
6. Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro across the vegetable medley, infusing the dish with its bright, herbaceous notes and adding a layer of complexity.
7. Cascade the meticulously crafted sesame dressing over the salad, ensuring each ingredient receives a delicate coating of the aromatic liquid.
8. Toss the salad with deliberate, sweeping motions, guaranteeing an even distribution of dressing and maximizing flavor integration.
9. For optimal texture, serve immediately, celebrating the crisp vegetables and crunchy cashews, or allow the salad to rest briefly, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.

Notes

• Choose raw, unsalted cashews for the best crunch and neutral flavor profile in the salad.
• Toast cashews lightly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty essence and add deeper complexity to the dish.
• Swap cabbage for kale or mixed greens to create a different texture and nutritional variation for those wanting alternative base ingredients.
• Prepare dressing ahead of time and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify before using.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 307 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 109 mg