This Asian Crunch Salad has the perfect mix of veggies and a tangy ginger teriyaki dressing. With loads of buttery cashews, it's perfect on its own, or with chicken or steak. Plus it holds well, making it perfect for make-ahead meal prep during busy weeks.
I've had this Asian crunch salad on repeat for lunch and dinner for weeks. It's kind of a copycat Costco Asian Cashew Chopped Salad, but so much more delicious.
I have a few secrets for making it loads better, such as making a homemade ginger teriyaki dressing that's insanely addicting. It's really perfect for picnics, parties, or as I said, a weeknight meal–on repeat.
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Why you'll love this recipe
My Asian Slaw Recipe has been a huge hit and family-favorite for years. It touts a sesame vinaigrette and sweet mandarins. This cashew crunch salad has a similar vibe but is really its own thing.
The base of a crunchy salad is very important and another secret I'm excited to share. Start with kale slaw. Yes! Kale. Then add extra cabbage. I love using regular green cabbage in this recipe.
I use the kale and Brussels sprouts slaw from Trader Joes, but if there isn't one near you, you can simply use finely chopped kale.
With these small touches, this salad is incredibly simple to make but upgraded in a whole new way.
Salad recipes are a hit any time of the year. Some of my other favorites are Shredded Apple and Carrot Salad, Artichoke Panzanella Salad, and Lemon Quinoa Chickpea Salad.
Ingredients for Cashew Crunch Salad
- Cabbage Salad Starter
- You can use any slaw mix you'd like, or even make your own. That's the start for this cabbage salad.
- I like the kale and Brussels sprouts slaw mix at Trader Joes, but have made this with other cabbage slaw mixes with the option of adding chopped kale or not. It's really versatile.
- Colorful Vegetables
- If your slaw mix does't include purple cabbage, I love to add a few shreds for color, and thinly sliced green onions add extra flavor.
- Keep it simple! You can purchase pre-shredded carrots and cut bell peppers, or prep your own.
- I'm a huge fan of preparing salad ingredients ahead and storing them in the fridge.
- Flavorful Asian dressing
- While I kept the ginger and soy sauce in this Asian dressing, it doesn't have sesame oil, so it works really well with a variety of meals like picnics, BBQ, and on mixed buffets.
- I have a delicious Ginger Sesame Asian Dressing that I use on salads all the time. However, I wanted to make this dressing a bit more versatile.
- Crunchy cashews
- I love the buttery and slightly sweet flavor cashews give to this Asian crunch salad.
Tip
If you are adding kale or kale slaw to the mix, pull out woody pieces and stems. These aren't removed from pre-prepared bags.
Tip
You can substitute other nuts in place of cashews. Try almonds, peanuts or pecans.
You can also add chow mein noodles, or crispy wonton chips if you aren't feeding a gluten-free crowd.
How to make Asian Crunch Salad
- Pick through the kale slaw and remove any large and woody stem pieces, leaving the tender leaves.
- Thinly slice your veggies such as cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, cucumber and scallions.
- Make the dressing in a jar: combine the soy sauce, ginger, vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. Whisk or shake to dissolve the brown sugar, then whisk in the avocado oil.
- When ready to serve, shake dressing to combine again if separated, and drizzle on about ¾ of it. Toss with the slaw and add ¾ cup of the cashews.
- Add remaining dressing if needed. Garnish with remaining ¼ cup cashews.
Variations & Substitutions
If you're making this cashew salad take note of some helpful variations and substitutions.
Gluten-Free
This salad is already gluten-free. Make sure you are using gluten-free soy sauce or Tamari. If you want to add wonton chips or noodles, the salad will not be gluten-free.
Make your own slaw mix
No matter what slaw mix you use or make, you'll want 6 cups total for this recipe. I use 3 cups of a prepared kale slaw mix and add 3 cups of finely sliced green cabbage. You can use all green cabbage, mix in some Savoy or Napa cabbage, use all kale, or even a store-bought broccoli slaw.
Make it keto
This dressing has brown sugar to balance out the vinegar, soy sauce, and lime juice. If you are on a no-sugar diet or insulin resistance diet you can use other sweeteners.
I've used several drops of liquid stevia adding it to taste in place of the brown sugar. You can use a powdered form of stevia, monk fruit, or Erythritol. Just add it a little at a time to taste.
Make it a meal with protein
Add grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp to this salad to make a complete meal. This flank steak recipe would work well, or my grilled chicken recipe for a quick dinner.
What to serve with Cashew Salad
This is the perfect to-go salad for a potluck, outdoor BBQ or pool party, and picnic. It's also light and refreshing during winter months for a healthy start in January or a fresh meal when you're in a dinner rut.
I've got loads of BBQ recipes this salad is perfect with, and because the dressing isn't too strong on the Asian flavors, it is a good balance with any menu.
More recipes to serve alongside
Storing leftovers & make-ahead instructions
To make ahead, assemble this salad hours to a day before, but leave the dressing and cashews separate. Chill in an airtight container in the fridge. The dressing can be refrigerated or stored at room temperature.
When you get to your destination, or you're ready to pull it out of the fridge and serve it for dinner, simply toss in the cashews and dressing.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. Best to save leftovers without the dressing, but if it is dressed it will still be delicious after a day.
Copycat Costco Asian Cabbage Salad
You may love the Costco Asian cashew chopped salad by Taylor Farms. It's a salad kit that comes with cabbage slaw, dressing, crunchy bits and nuts.
The dressing is a tangy Asian sesame flavor and I've seen versions with almonds and wonton crisps, or cashews.
My cashew crunch salad is very similar, but I really think it's miles better!
I use a crunchy cabbage salad mixture, my Asian dressing is tangy and sweet without the sesame flavor, and with loads of colorful veggies and cashews it's really crowd-pleasing.
FAQs
Typically an Asian dressing includes soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and some kind of sweetener like brown sugar, honey, or plum sauce. I like to add fresh ginger and lime juice for a glorious balance.
Yes. I suggest preparing the salad, dressing and cashews all separately and storing them until ready to serve. The salad base can be stored in the fridge for up to two days.
More simple salad recipes you'll love
- Crunchy Chicken Noodle Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Shredded Carrot and Apple Salad
- Ginger Slaw with Sesame Chicken
📖 Recipe
Asian Crunch Salad
Ingredients
Cashew Crunch Salad
- 3 cups kale slaw* ((I use Trader Joes))
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup thinly sliced bell pepper ((I use red, orange or yellow))
- ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions ((optional))
- 1 cup coarsely chopped cashews
Asian Dressing
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- pinch red pepper flakes
- ⅔ cup avocado oil
Instructions
- Pick through the kale slaw and remove any large and woody stem pieces, leaving the tender leaves. In a large bowl combine the kale slaw, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, peppers, and scallions.
- In a separate bowl or dressing jar, combine the soy sauce, ginger, vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. Whisk or shake to dissolve the brown sugar, then whisk in the avocado oil. Set aside.
- When ready to serve, shake dressing to combine again if separated, and drizzle on about ¾ of it. Toss with the slaw and add ¾ cup of the cashews. Add remaining dressing if needed. Garnish with remaining ¼ cup cashews.
Notes
Nutrition
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Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Kandra Mills says
THIS IS DELICIOUS! The next night I use the salad on top of tacos, minus the dressing. Fam loved it!
Tara Teaspoon says
Fantastic to hear. Great idea use! It's seriously one of my fave salads!
Callie Wakefield says
This salad tastes so fresh and incredible. Definitely will be a staple in our house going forward!!