Crave different flavors?

That may be a sign that you’re in a bit of a salad rut. I’ve been there.

Enter a delightful Chinese salad recipe to relieve your taste buds. Give it a try and see if it gets you out of your food rut! Add some chicken and you’ve got a tasty Chinese chicken salad.

Let’s be honest. This is not an authentic Chinese recipe. But it does represent a delightful fusion between Asian and Western cuisines.

Asian salad toppings

• citrus fruit (orange and tangerines)
• furikake
• sesame seeds
• cilantro
• green onion
• shredded carrot
• shredded red cabbage
• mint
• cucumber
• boiled or grilled chicken

Using Oranges in Asian Salads

Oranges, mandarin oranges, and tangerines are a delightful addition to Asian salads. They bring a burst of sweet, zesty juice to balance out the saltiness of dressing.

How to make an Asian salad dressing

Depending on what kind of Asian food you are going for, your Asian salad dressing recipe will be different.

Chinese

• soy sauce
• orange and lemon
• sesame oil
• ginger
• sugar
• rice vinegar or white vinegar

Vietnamese/Thai

• lime juice/lemon juice
• fish sauce
• garlic
• sugar
• rice vinegar or white vinegar
• lemongrass
• Thai bird chile
• shallot
• kaffir lime leaf
• basil

Japanese

• soy sauce
• miso paste
• sugar
• rice vinegar or white vinegar
• sesame oil
• grated onion

This Asian salad recipe is more of the Chinese influence. Which is why I used a Chinese salad dressing recipe with soy sauce and sesame oil as a flavor base.

How to Cook with Sesame Oil

Sesame oil provides a rich and unctuous earthy flavor to Asian food. But it needs to be used wisely. It should not be used thoughtlessly because it can easily overpower a dish.

Use only a small drizzle at a time, and then continue to taste and add little by little. Sesame oil adds a nice richness to this Asian salad dressing recipe.

For other salad ideas, check out my delicious Healthy Caesar Salad.

Price Comparison

How much did this Chinese salad recipe cost? This is how much I spent on the ingredients: butter lettuce ($1), tangerine ($.50), cilantro ($.20), orange juice ($.50), sesame oil ($.50), soy sauce ($.15).

Restaurant ($10-13) vs. Home-made ($1.45)

It’s definitely more economical to make this salad at home.

Print

Chinese Salad with Tangerines

A tangy and sweet Chinese inspired salad with tangerines. Perfect side dish.

Course Salad

Cuisine American, Chinese

Keyword Asian salad dressing, Asian salad recipe, Chinese salad, Chinese salad dressing, Chinese salad recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 head butter lettuce
• 1 carrot grated
• 1 handful cilantro chopped
• 1 tsp sesame seeds toasted
• 1 fresh tangerine peeled

Chinese salad dressing

• 1 tsp fresh ginger minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1 lemon juiced
• 1 orange juiced
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp water

Instructions

• Chop up lettuce, grate carrot, and chop cilantro. Peel tangerine and separate into sections. Mix all salad ingredients together.
• Mix together minced ginger, soy sauce, sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, sesame oil, and water. Whisk together until incorporated.
• Dress salad and mix thoroughly but gently.
• Top with seame seeds and serve.

Tag me on Instagram @jennskitchendiary to share your version of this recipe.