Broccoli Crunch Salad (Printable Version)

Crunchy mix of broccoli, edamame, and veggies dressed in a zesty Asian-inspired blend, perfect for light meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
03 - 1 cup carrots, shredded
04 - 1 cup edamame, shelled
05 - 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
06 - 1/4 cup bell pepper, thinly sliced

→ Toppings

07 - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
09 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
13 - 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated

# Directions:

01 - Chop broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Finely shred purple cabbage and carrots. Thinly slice bell pepper and green onions.
02 - If using frozen edamame, cook according to package instructions, then cool and shell.
03 - In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, garlic, and ginger until smooth.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, cabbage, carrots, edamame, green onions, and bell pepper. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss until evenly coated.
06 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salad. Toss gently and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 days for enhanced flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the rare salad that tastes better the next day, making it your secret weapon for staying on track without boredom.
  • Raw broccoli paired with warm toasted sesame creates this unexpected textural moment that keeps you coming back for more bites.
  • You can prep everything in advance and assemble in under five minutes when hunger strikes.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad more than a couple hours before serving if you're hoping to preserve that signature crunch—the vegetables will slowly release water and soften, which is fine for meal prep but devastating if you want textural contrast.
  • Freshly grated ginger makes an enormous difference; powdered ginger will make the dressing taste dusty and one-dimensional.
03 -
  • Lightly toast your sesame oil in the skillet along with the sesame seeds for thirty seconds before whisking the dressing—it deepens the flavor in a way that feels almost indulgent.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, keep the components separate until the last minute and assemble family-style so everyone can control how much dressing they want.
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