Edamame Cucumber Sesame Salad (Printable)

Vibrant mix of edamame, cucumber, and sesame dressing perfect for a light, healthy side.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups shelled edamame (fresh or frozen)
02 - 1 large cucumber, diced
03 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced (optional)

→ Dressing

05 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
06 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
10 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Garnish

12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add shelled edamame and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to chill.
02 - In a large bowl, mix chilled edamame, diced cucumber, sliced green onions, and diced red bell pepper if using.
03 - Whisk together toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds until emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss gently to combine.
05 - Sprinkle with additional toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, if desired.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to meld flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes, which means even on busy days you can have something that feels intentional and restaurant-quality.
  • The sesame dressing is so good you'll find yourself drizzling it on everything, and it somehow makes simple vegetables taste like a celebration.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free without feeling like a compromise, just a really smart way to build flavors.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting your own sesame seeds if you can—the flavor difference between raw and toasted is the difference between a good salad and one you'll actually crave.
  • The dressing will keep in a jar in your fridge for almost a week, which means you can make a batch and use it on whatever vegetables or grains you have on hand.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of the sesame dressing and keep it in a glass jar—you'll find yourself putting it on salads, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, and anything else you can think of.
  • If you can't find fresh ginger, a half teaspoon of ginger powder works in a pinch, though the fresh root really does make a noticeable difference in brightness.
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