Mandarin Sesame Crunch Salad (Printable Version)
Crisp vegetables, sweet mandarin oranges, and crunchy sesame topping with a tangy ginger dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad Base
01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, or arugula)
02 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup canned mandarin orange segments, drained
06 - 2 green onions, sliced
→ Sesame Crunch Topping
07 - 1 cup crunchy chow mein noodles or slivered almonds
08 - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
09 - 1 tablespoon butter (or vegan butter/oil for vegan version)
10 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
→ Sesame Dressing
11 - 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
12 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
16 - 1 garlic clove, minced
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sesame seeds and chow mein noodles or slivered almonds. Sprinkle with sugar and toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, thinly sliced red bell pepper, drained mandarin orange segments, and sliced green onions. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, freshly grated ginger, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Sprinkle the cooled sesame crunch topping generously over the salad. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sesame crunch topping is genuinely addictive and you will want to put it on everything once you try it.
- It comes together in thirty minutes with zero cooking stress, making it perfect for those evenings when you want something vibrant without the effort.
02 -
- Do not dress the salad more than ten minutes before serving or the greens will wilt and the crunch will go soggy, and all that toasting effort will be wasted.
- Letting the sesame crunch cool completely on a plate instead of in the pan prevents it from continuing to cook and burning.
03 -
- Double the sesame crunch batch and store the extra in an airtight container for up to a week because you will want it on salads, soups, and straight from the jar.
- Grate the ginger directly into the dressing using a microplane so the juices mix in and the fibers stay behind on the grater.