Edamame Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and crunchy Edamame Crunch Salad featuring protein-packed quinoa and edamame, fresh veggies, and a creamy, tangy peanut dressing. This salad combines textures and flavors beautifully, making it a perfect nutritious lunch or light dinner option with an Asian-inspired twist.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Grains and Vegetables
- ½ cup dry quinoa, rinsed
- 1 pound frozen shelled edamame (about 2 ½ cups)
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage (¼ large cabbage)
- 2 cups chopped baby spinach
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 sliced jalapeño (optional)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1–2 tablespoons water (to thin dressing as needed)
Additional Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil (or cooking oil of choice)
- 1 cup roasted peanuts, shelled
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Green onions, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Cook Quinoa: Pour the rinsed quinoa and 1 cup of water into a pot with a lid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat and keep covered until ready to assemble.
- Cook Edamame: Heat grapeseed oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the frozen shelled edamame and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes until warmed through. Turn off heat.
- Prepare Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cayenne pepper if using. Slowly add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach a pourable but creamy consistency.
- Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cooked edamame, shredded cabbage, chopped spinach, shredded carrots, roasted peanuts, and sliced jalapeño if using. Toss until well mixed.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the peanut dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving dish. Garnish with additional roasted peanuts, fresh basil, cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges for squeezing on top.
Notes
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove bitterness.
- For gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust cayenne pepper or jalapeño quantity to control spiciness.
- The dressing thickness can be adjusted with water for desired consistency.
- Salad can be served warm or chilled depending on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Edamame salad, quinoa salad, peanut dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, Asian salad, crunchy salad, plant-based protein