Asian Salmon Salad with Peanut Dressing

Name: Asian Salmon Salad with Peanut Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets (skinless); 1 tsp sea salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp ginger powder; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 3 tbsp avocado oil; 4 tbsp sesame seeds (toasted if possible); 5 oz kale; 4 green onions (thinly sliced); 1 English cucumber (thinly sliced); 8 oz Napa cabbage (chopped); 2 carrots (shredded or thinly sliced); 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1 tsp ginger paste; 3 tsp garlic paste; 1 tsp white pepper; 2 tsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp peanut butter; 2 tsp sesame oil; Add All Ingredients to Your Walmart Cart (Adds everything with one click! You can edit items before you check out.)

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Salmon fillets are seasoned with ginger and garlic then air fried (or baked) to flaky perfection. While the salmon cooks, you can prepare the peanut dressing and healthy veggies including kale, carrots, cabbage, and cucumber for a healthy, hearty meal in 20 minutes!

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Table Of Contents

★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★
★ Ingredients You'll Need ★
★ How to Make this Recipe ★
★ Tips & FAQs ★
★ More Recipes You'll Love ★
Asian Salmon Salad with Peanut Dressing

★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★

This Asian-style kale and salmon salad is quick to prepare, making this a great choice for an easy yet healthy dinner.

Freshly cooked, warm salmon contrasts a bed of refreshing salad veggies. Drizzled with a homemade creamy and tangy peanut dressing, this salad offers bold Asian flavor making this a tasty yet wholesome dinner (or lunch).

More reasons to love this recipe:

This salmon is salad is packed with healthy veggies giving you a variety or vitamins and nutrients in addition to protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
The homemade dressing is amazing and is simple to make using a mason jar. Simply add everything and shake!
This salad is great for meal prep. Just store the dressing. separately and add right before serving. The salmon can be enjoyed warm or cold.

★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

You'll need salmon, seasonings and dressing ingredients.

Here's a look at each item you'll need to gather.

Asian Salmon Salad with Peanut Dressing Ingredients

Salmon. Skinless, individually-sized fillets.
Ginger and garlic. Paste is great for saving time but freshly grated or powdered works too for seasoning the salmon.
Salt and pepper. You can use sea salt or regular salt.
Veggies. English cucumber, kale, napa cabbage, carrots, and green onions.
Dressing. Peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic and ginger paste (or fresh), white pepper, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. You can use low sodium or regular soy sauce — your choice.

★ How to Make this Recipe ★

This salmon salad comes together quickly in a few steps.

Here's a look at what you'll need to do:

Wash and cut veggies.
Season salmon.
Cook salmon.
Mix together dressing ingredients.
Add salad and salmon to serving bowls.
Drizzle with dressing to soften kale.
Add salad, carrots, cucumber, and salmon to serving bowls.
Garnish with sesame seeds.
Serve!

Simple as that!

★ Tips & FAQs ★

Storing Leftovers

Ideally, you'll want to store leftovers separately — keep the salad and the dressing in their own airtight containers in the refrigerator. Consume the salad within 2 days and the dressing within a week for the best taste and freshness.

If you think you might have leftovers, just drizzle the dressing over each serving instead of tossing.

Can I use a different type of protein instead of salmon?

Yes, you can substitute salmon with other types of fish such as tuna, cod, or even shrimp as well as chicken or steak. Season the same, but adjust cook time as needed to ensure your chosen substitute is cooked through.

Is there a vegetarian option for this salad?

Yes, you can replace the salmon with tofu or tempeh. Marinate and cook the tofu or tempeh similarly to how you would prepare the salmon.
Or try wonton strips and peanuts, cashews and/or almonds. Or simply omit the salmon.

Can I use mixed greens for this salad?

Feel free to mix and match according to your preference. You can use a variety of greens such as romaine lettuce, mixed baby greens, spinach, or arugula. A variety that includes cabbage will have a similar flavor to the original recipe.

Can I use store bought dressing?

Yes, you can save time by using a store-bought, bottled peanut or Asian dressing. If using a sesame ginger dressing, whisk or shake in peanut butter or peanut sauce.

Can I make the peanut dressing ahead of time?

Yes, the peanut dressing can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good shake or stir before using.

Can I use a different nut butter for the dressing?

Absolutely. My husband has a peanut allergy so we are a family with this! You can substitute your favorite nut butter. He really likes Wow butter. I agree it tastes the most like peanut butter. Cashew butter is another option that tastes great in this dish.
You can also use almond butter, soy butter, or sunflower seed butter as a substitute.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter for dressing?

If you enjoy a little extra texture, this is a great option! Crunchy or smooth peanut butter both work well.

How can I make the salad more filling?

To make the salad more filling, you can add a grain such as quinoa, white or brown rice, or soba noodles. Additionally, adding avocado or more protein like boiled eggs can make it heartier.
I like adding crunchy wonton strips and peanuts or cashews.

What is the best way to cook the salmon for this salad?

If you don't have an air fryer, you can grill, bake, or pan-sear the salmon. Season it and just ensure it is cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. It will flake easily with a fork when perfectly cooked.

How can I add spiciness to this salad?

If you like a little (or a lot of) heat, you can add spiciness by adding sriracha sauce or chili flakes to the dressing, to taste.
Another easy way to add spiciness is to drizzle on some sweet chili sauce. This will add sweetness as well as spice.

Is fresh ginger and garlic best?

I prefer ginger paste. It offers convenience while still giving you more freshness than powder.
If you have time to spare, you can use freshly grated ginger and garlic.
You can also use ground ginger or garlic to season the salmon. Paste or fresh is best for the dressing.

★ More Recipes You'll Love ★

Love salmon and salads?

Browse all my salmon recipes and salad recipes and Pin your favorites for later!

Asian Kale Salad with Salmon and Peanut Dressing

Asian Salmon Salad with Peanut Dressing

Author: Angela G.

Reviews

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Asian

Skill Level: Easy

Recipe Type: Healthy Choices, Kale, Meal Prep, Peanut, Salads, Salmon, Seafood, Served Cold, Summer

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 20

Servings:

Yield: 8 cups

Ingredients

Salmon

4 salmon fillets skinless
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon ginger powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoon avocado oil
4 tablespoon sesame seeds toasted if possible

Salad

5 oz kale
4 green onions thinly sliced
1 English cucumber thinly sliced
8 oz Napa cabbage chopped
2 carrots shredded or thinly sliced

Peanut Dressing

¼ cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon ginger paste
3 teaspoon garlic paste
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 teaspoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoon peanut butter
2 teaspoon sesame oil

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Instructions

Preheat air fryer or oven to 400ºF.
Season salmon. Prepare your salmon, seasoning both sides with salt, pepper, ginger, and garlic powder.
Cook salmon. Place salmon in the air fryer basket or on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Brush each fillet with oil. Air fry or bake for 8-10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145ºF.
Make dressing. In a jar or small bowl combine dressing ingredients. Set aside.
Prepare salad. Combine washed and chopped kale, green onion, and cabbage. Add half the dressing and toss. This will tenderize the kale. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.
Garnish and serve. Divide kale mixture into 4 salad bowls. Top each serving with a freshly cooked salmon fillet.
Add cucumber and carrot and drizzle with remaining dressing.
Garnish salmon with sesame seeds and serve.

Notes

Feel free to use ginger and garlic paste to season the salmon instead of powder if preferred.
Wild-caught salmon can be cooked to a lower temperature of 125ºF. Refer to your salmon's packaging to see what is recommended for safety.
Peanut butter can be replaced with another nut butter if desired to accommodate a peanut allergy.
Store-bough peanut dressing can be used to save time but homemade will taste better!

Equipment

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Nutrition Facts

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Keywords: asian kale salad, asian salmon salad, asian salmon salad with peanut dressing

Asian Salmon Salad with Peanut Dressing