This Edamame Salad is crunchy and fresh, packed with flavor and protein. It's made with crisp green veggies, creamy avocado and dressed in a delicious sesame dressing that brings it all together!
![Edamame salad with sesame seeds on top](https://cookingwithayeh.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edamame-Salad-1.jpg)
If you love edamame beans as much as I do, then you're going to love this Edamame Salad! I always have a bag of edamame beans in my freezer and they're one of my go-to beans to snack on. If you haven't eaten them before, then you’re in for a treat!
They're basically immature soybeans which are slightly sweet with a creamy nutty flavor. You can find them shelled or still in their pods and they make the best little snack, perfect for salads too. I've also added them to my Asian chopped salad that you all love!
This edamame salad is an Asian inspired salad made with a combination of different textures and flavors, including nutty edamame beans, crunchy cabbage, crisp cucumbers and creamy avocado. It's then dressed with a tangy sesame dressing that brings all the yumminess together! A green machine powerhouse that's healthy and nutritious and packed with protein and fiber. It's one of those salads that will surprise you with how good it is, trust me!
Oh and if you haven't guessed it, it's another "salad with a spoon" 😉. You all know my obsession with salads with a spoon…chopped salads just hit differently right?? Some others to check out are my orzo salad, lentil salad and quinoa tabbouleh.
What’s great about this edamame salad recipe is that you can serve it as a side dish for a simple weeknight dinner or even at your next bbq or gathering. It's also nutritious to enjoy as a main meal on its own. Since there isn't any lettuce, it won't go soggy in the fridge, so I love making a batch for meal prep for a few days. Enjoy it for a quick lunch during the week and feel free to add some extra protein or grains.
I love adding quinoa or crispy breaded tofu and it even tastes great with seafood such as teriyaki salmon with white rice.
Table of Contents
Why you'll love this Edamame Salad
- Quick & Easy: This salad comes together in 15 minutes for an easy quick dish
- Crazy Delicious: The combination of crunchy veggies, creamy avocado and tangy sesame dressing is irresistible!
- Healthy & Nutritious: Edamame are packed with protein, fiber and vitamins and a fantastic plant-based protein
- Versatile: Enjoy as a side dish at your next bbq or make a batch for meal prep for lunches during the week. Feel free to add additional protein such as crispy breaded tofu, quinoa, salmon or chicken
What is Edamame?
Edamame are immature soybeans harvested before they ripen or harden. They're packed with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals making them a great plant based food.
They have a slightly sweet, creamy and nutty flavor and are versatile to add to many dishes such as salads, noodles, poke bowls and even great as a snack on their own.
Edamame beans are typically found in their green pods, where you can steam them and top with sea salt or a dressing before eating, but they can also be purchased shelled which makes them easy to use for recipes. I love edamame beans and always have a bag in my freezer 😊
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Edamame beans are our star ingredient today! They're basically immature soybeans, high in protein and fiber. You can buy frozen, either shelled or in their pods, tip is to buy them shelled to save time. There's no need to boil them, I just defrost under running warm water
- Cucumbers add a refreshing crisp crunch. I prefer Persian cucumbers or Lebanese cucumbers for more flavor, but feel free to add any cucumbers on hand. If using an English cucumber, I'd suggest to deseed it
- Green cabbage provides a crisp texture. Always ensure to finely dice it which makes it easier and more enjoyable to eat. Substitute with other crunchy veggies like bell pepper or carrots
- Green onions add a light oniony flavor without being overpowering. I add the whole green onion including the green and white part. You can substitute with red onion if preferred but I like the green theme 💚
- Avocado adds a creamy and rich flavor along with adding healthy fats. Choose a ripe but not mushy avocado
- Sesame seeds for garnish. Toasting the sesame seeds before adding them to the salad will enhance their flavor
- Fresh herbs such as cilantro (coriander) would add a nice freshness, but I couldn't get my hands on any today
- Sesame dressing brings this salad altogether with toasted sesame seeds, olive oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey and ginger
How to make Edamame Salad
This salad is fresh, crunchy and comes together in no time. Follow my simple steps below.
If using frozen edamame beans, place in a colander and defrost them by running warm water on top
Finely chop cabbage and green onions, dice cucumber and avocado into small cubes
Add dressing ingredients in a mason jar or bowl and whisk
Add chopped veggies to a salad bowl
Pour sesame dressing and toss
Leave to marinate for 5-10 minutes in the fridge. Stir again before serving then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Buy shelled edamame beans which will save so much time
- There's no need to boil the edamame beans. Defrost under running warm water and they'll be ready to eat in the time you prepare the remaining ingredients
- Allow the salad to marinate in the dressing for 5-10 minutes in the fridge before serving for the best flavor
- As it's a chopped salad, the dressing may sink to the bottom, so always stir before serving
- Feel free to add other ingredients to make it a substantial meal. I love adding quinoa, crispy tofu or even salmon
Storage Instructions
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Ensure to toss before serving
- If making in advance or for meal prep, add the avocado on the day you are eating it to avoid the avocado becoming brown or too mushy
FAQs
Yes! They're actually immature soybeans which have been harvested before they ripen or harden
They sure are! Edamame are high in plant based protein, fiber along with vitamins and minerals and a wonderful addition to meals
Shelled edamame beans are great in asian inspired salads such as this or my Asian chopped salad along with poke bowls or noodles. You can also enjoy edamame beans in their pods steamed and seasoned with salt or a spicy chili sauce
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Edamame Salad:
More Chopped Salads
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Edamame Salad photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
Edamame Salad - Sesame Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups shelled edamame beans - I've used frozen
- 1 cup green cabbage - finely diced (approx ⅛ of a cabbage)
- 1 medium Persian cucumber
- ½ large avocado - ripe but not too soft
- 2 green onions
- Garnish - toasted sesame seeds
Sesame Dressing
- 1 ½ tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce or tamari - I've used low sodium
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 small cube fresh ginger - minced/grated
Instructions
- If using frozen edamame beans, place then in a colander and run under warm water to help them defrost, then leave on the side for now
- Prepare veggies - finely chop the cabbage and green onions, dice the cucumber into small cubes along with the avocado
- In a mason jar or bowl, add the dressing ingredients and whisk together
- Add all of the chopped veggies to a salad bowl. Pour over the sesame dressing and toss together gently so you don't mash up the avocado
- Allow it to marinate for 5-10 minutes in the fridge for all the flavors to develop together. Stir again gently and its ready to serve! Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and enjoy your delicious edamame salad with sesame dressing!
m
yum!! the dressing is delicious, only used veggies available at home and it has already tasted good! (edamame, red cabbage, cucumber)
Ayeh Manfre
Sounds great, so happy you loved it!