Description
This Crunch Salad offers an irresistible blend of fresh, crisp vegetables combined with crunchy toppings and a tangy Asian-inspired dressing. Perfect for a light, refreshing meal or side, it features romaine lettuce, red cabbage, colorful bell peppers, cucumbers, and more, all tossed in a vibrant rice vinegar and soy sauce dressing with toasted sesame oil and ginger, delivering a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, sliced into half-moons
- 1/2 cup sliced radishes
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup roasted salted sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup crispy chow mein noodles
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Dressing
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine the salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, shredded red cabbage, julienned carrots, thinly sliced red bell pepper, cucumber half-moons, sliced radishes, chopped celery, roasted salted sunflower seeds, crispy chow mein noodles, chopped fresh cilantro, and sliced green onions. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, and olive oil until well combined. Season the dressing with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Toss the salad with dressing: Just before serving, pour the prepared dressing over the salad. Toss thoroughly but gently to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated with the dressing, preserving the crunchy texture of the salad components.
- Serve immediately: For maximum crunch and freshness, serve the salad right away. It makes a perfect light meal or flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or tofu to make it a heartier, protein-rich meal.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari for soy sauce and omit the chow mein noodles or replace with gluten-free crunchy toppings like roasted chickpeas.
- To enhance the crunch, nuts such as chopped almonds or cashews can be added as an alternative to sunflower seeds.
- Adjust the honey amount for sweeter or less sweet dressing according to your preference.
