Description
This vibrant Salad With Asian Dressing combines fresh vegetables, tender quinoa, and a flavorful homemade Asian-inspired dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a healthy, light, and refreshing meal perfect for lunch or a quick dinner, featuring a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and mildly spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
Salad
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup green peas (fresh or thawed if frozen)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha (if using) until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine the salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the chopped cucumber, celery, green peas, baby spinach, and cooked quinoa. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Add olive oil: Drizzle the tablespoon of olive oil over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared Asian dressing over the salad and toss again thoroughly until every component is evenly coated in the dressing.
- Serve or chill: Serve the salad immediately for a fresh and crunchy experience or chill it for 15–20 minutes in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld and develop more depth.
Notes
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
- Maple syrup can substitute honey to keep the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Sriracha is optional and can be adjusted or omitted for less spice.
- Fresh ginger and garlic add a zesty punch to the dressing; use freshly grated and minced for best flavor.
- Chilling the salad before serving enhances the flavor combination, but serving immediately is also delicious.
