Craving a restaurant-worthy dish that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to make? Get ready to transform your kitchen into a culinary adventure with this mouthwatering Chinese Chop Salad that will have your taste buds dancing! In just 15 minutes, you'll create a vibrant, crunchy masterpiece that combines the perfect balance of fresh vegetables, nutty sesame seeds, and an irresistible peanut sesame dressing that will make you forget all about boring salads forever.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Water to thin dressing
Instructions
- Prepare all vegetables by washing thoroughly and using a sharp knife to shred cabbage, grate carrots, and dice bell peppers into uniform small pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, diced bell peppers, and sliced green onions. Toss ingredients gently to create an even mixture.
- For the dressing, in a separate small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add small amounts of water to the dressing, whisking continuously to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency that can easily coat the vegetables.
- Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until they become golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salad and give a final gentle toss to distribute seeds evenly.
- Chill the salad for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish or light meal.
Tips
- Knife Skills Matter: Take your time to cut vegetables into uniform, small pieces to ensure even coating and a beautiful presentation.
- Dressing Consistency is Key: Add water gradually to the dressing to achieve that perfect, silky-smooth texture that clings beautifully to the vegetables.
- Toasting Sesame Seeds: Watch them carefully! The difference between perfectly toasted and burnt is just seconds. Keep them moving in the pan and remove immediately when they turn golden brown.
- Make Ahead Friendly: This salad actually gets better as it sits, so it's perfect for meal prep or potlucks. Just add the sesame seeds just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Customize Your Crunch: Feel free to add additional protein like grilled chicken or tofu to make this a complete meal.
- Fresh is Best: Use the freshest vegetables you can find for maximum crunch and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
