Asian Edamame Salad (Printable)

Protein-rich Asian salad featuring edamame, crisp veggies, and a zesty sesame ginger dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 2 cups shelled edamame (fresh or frozen)
02 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
03 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
06 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

→ Sesame Ginger Dressing

07 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
08 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
10 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
11 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
12 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
13 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
14 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Boil water in a medium pot, add edamame and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
02 - In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup or honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, lime juice, and chili flakes in a small bowl.
04 - In a large bowl, mix cooked edamame, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, and green onions.
05 - Pour dressing over the salad and toss well to coat evenly.
06 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro on top. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 15 minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all afternoon.
  • Packed with plant-based protein, so it actually satisfies whether you eat meat or not.
  • The ginger sesame dressing works on literally everything else you make afterward.
02 -
  • Cold edamame are non-negotiable—they wilt and lose their snap if the dressing hits them while they're warm, which I learned the hard way.
  • Make the dressing before you cook anything else so it has time to sit and the ginger flavor deepens slightly.
03 -
  • Mincing the garlic finely instead of using a press prevents little chunks from getting stuck between your teeth while you're eating.
  • Buying pre-shredded carrots feels like cheating but it genuinely doesn't change the outcome, and sometimes that matters on a busy day.
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