How to Make Chinese Salad Recipes

I wanted to learn how to make Chinese salad recipes once I became “hooked” on the Chinese cuisine. Like most cuisines, Asian salads balance the flavors, textures and colors of the local areas. Many of the great tasting ingredients used in cooking entrees, appetizers and all cooking will be also used in making salads. Dressings for the salads often will have soy sauce, sherry, teriyaki, rice vinegar and the great taste of fresh ginger root. 


Fresh crisp vegetables of the region are used for the base of most salads. This includes lots of Chinese cabbage, green onions and carrots. As you learn how to make Chinese salad recipes you will find the selection varies from region to region slightly. This variation is due to the variety of different ingredients produced in the different areas. Bean sprouts and sprouts of all kinds can be (And are) added to most salads even if they are not in the recipe. Sprouts add flavor, texture, are so healthy and so easy to grow.


When I learned how to make Chinese salad recipes I found the basic seasoning in the salads as in other Asian recipes. We still have a light mild flavor in the Northern region, flavorful but still mild in the eastern region, delicate spices of the south and robust and spicy flavors (mainly in the dressing) from the west.


I also saw a similarity with other Chinese cooking when learning how to make Chinese salad recipes. Meats and poultry are often served in the salads or on top. Like the entrees, snacks and other recipes, the same seafood, poultry and meats are used in the salads for each region. Lots of fish and seafood is used atop salads and in the dressings of the eastern region of China. You will find chicken is included in salads throughout China as it is here in the United States. Many salad recipes of the southern region will use rice as a base. These salads might be sweet or savory in flavor.

HOW TO MAKE CHINESE SALAD RECIPE WITH CHICKEN

Chinese Chicken Salad RecipeChinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Learn how to make Chinese salad recipes using a spicy peanut dressing.

  • 1 ½ Pounds chicken breast on bone
  • 1 Whole green onion cut in half
  • 1 Slice fresh ginger (1 inch round X ¼ inch thick)
  • 1 Tablespoon dry sherry
  • ½ Teaspoon sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • 2 Cups water
  • Shredded lettuce or salad greens
  • Spicy peanut dressing (Recipe below)

Place chicken and following 6 ingredients in medium saucepan.

Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until chicken is done about 20 minutes.

Remove chicken and cool; save broth for soup.

Remove skin from chicken; pull meat from bones and pull in shreds.

TO SERVE line plates with lettuce; pile chicken on top and drizzle with peanut dressing.

GARNISH with fresh cilantro, chopped green onions or peanuts.

Spicy Peanut Dressing

NOTE: This is suppose to be for 4 servings but for me it is enough for one serving. I multiplied the recipe 4x.

  • 1 ½ Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons salad oil
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 Teaspoons white vinegar
  • ½ Teaspoon sesame oil
  • ¼ to ½ Teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon minced green onion
  • 1 Tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

TO MAKE DRESSING cream together peanut butter and salad oil; stir in soy sauce, vinegar and sugar.

Blend in sesame oil, cayenne, green onion and cilantro.

CHINESE SHRIMP SALAD RECIPE

Learn how to make Chinese salad recipes with shrimp and enoki mushrooms.

  • 2 Cups spinach (Cut in bite size)
  • 2 Cups shredded Chinese cabbage
  • 1 ½ Cups cooked cleaned shrimp
  • 1 Cup enoki mushrooms
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds (toasted)
  • 1 Red bell pepper (Cut in ½ inch pieces)
  • 1 Green onion (thinly sliced)
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½ Teaspoon five spice powder

Mix together spinach, cabbage, shrimp, mushrooms, almonds, bell pepper and onion.

Combine in a tight covered container the remaining ingredients.

Shake well and pour over salad mixture; toss to coat.

ASIAN BEEF SALAD RECIPE

When I learned how to make Chinese salad recipes I found fresh cilantro to be a valuable ingredient.

  • ¼ Cup chopped cilantro (Loosely packed)
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped Serrano peppers
  • 3 Cloves chopped garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Thai fish sauce OPTIONAL
  • ¼ Teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ Cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Pound beef steak
  • 1 Large stalk lemon grass (Discard tough outer leaves)
  • 1 Small red onion (Cut in half and slice thinly)
  • ½ Pound small pickling cucumber (Peel and slice thin)
  • 1 Tomato (Cut in half and slice in thin wedges)
  • ½ Cup fresh mint (Loosely packed)
  • Romaine and leaf lettuce to line plate

Combine cilantro, chilies, garlic, brown sugar, fish sauce, white pepper and lemon juice in blender.

Process mixture until sugar is dissolved; set aside.

Grill or broil the steak to desired doneness; transfer to cutting board and cut thinly across the grain.

Transfer meat (and juices) to a bowl; add remaining salad ingredients (Not lettuce) and toss to mix.

Line plates or a platter with the Romaine or lettuce.

Add the dressing to the meat mixture and toss to mix well.

Place meat mixture on top of lettuce leaves; serves 4 to 6.

ORIENTAL CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPE with rice wine vinaigrette

I learned how to make Chinese salad recipes using crisp cucumbers, crisp vegetables and the unique flavor of gomashio.

  • 2 Medium cucumbers (Unpeeled and thinly sliced)
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons salt
  • 3 Cups shredded napa cabbage
  • ½ Cup shredded carrot
  • 1 Green onion (Slice thin)
  • 2 Teaspoons minced onion
  • ½ Cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons gomashio *See below
  • ½ Teaspoon seasoned salt

*WHAT IS GOMASHIO? This is a dry condiment, a blend of black sesame seeds and salt. The UNhulled sesame seeds are toasted and mixed with salt. Sometimes sugar may be mixed in commercially made brands. Look for it in Chinese food specialty shops.


Place cucumber slices in a bowl adding enough water to cover; stir in salt.

Cover and marinate in the refrigerator at least 3 hours; drain, rinse and pat dry.

Combine cucumbers, cabbage and next 3 ingredients; toss to mix.

Combine in a tight fitting container the vinegar, sugar, gomashio and seasoned salt; shake to blend.

Pour dressing over salad and toss; serve immediately.

Serves 6.

CASHEW CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

Since I learned how to make Chinese salad recipes I have been happy to use my favorite “cashew” nuts in many.

  • ½ Cup Thousand Island dressing
  • 3 Cups cooked cubed chicken breast
  • 1 ¼ Cups chopped celery
  • 2 Tablespoons pickle relish
  • ½ Cup chopped red onion
  • ½ Cup salted cashews
  • 1 Can (11 ounces) Mandarin oranges, drained
  • Lettuce to line plates

Combine in a large bowl all the ingredients except the oranges and lettuce; mix well.

Add oranges and gently fold in.

Line plates with lettuce; top with scoops of the chicken mixture.

Serves 6.

ORIENTAL BROCCOLI SALAD RECIPE

I often add sesame oil to many salads (Even when not in the recipe) since I learned how to make Chinese salad recipes.

  • 2 Bunches fresh broccoli
  • 2 ½ Quarts water
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 1 Can sliced water chestnuts (Drain)

Sauce

  • 2 Tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt

Separate the broccoli into the “flower” part and the “stem” part.

Cut the flower part into small “bite” size clusters.

Peel the tough skin off the stem; quarter the stem lengthwise.

Cut the “quartered” stems in a slant into 2 inch pieces.

Bring the water, vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of salt to a rapid boil in a large pot.

Add all the broccoli to the pot; drain, rinse in cold water, drain again thoroughly.

Place well drained broccoli in a shallow dish; make sauce.

TO MAKE SAUCE combine all sauce ingredients in a container with tight fitting lid; shake well.

Add water chestnuts to the sauce; pour over the broccoli.

Cover salad and refrigerate for several hours.

CHINESE COLESLAW RECIPE

When I learned how to make Chinese salad recipes I found many to include napa cabbage.

  • 5 Cups coarsely chopped napa cabbage
  • 1 Cup shredded carrots
  • ½ Cup chopped green onion
  • 1 Can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts (Drain)
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds (Toasted)
  • ¼ Cup vegetable oil
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon dark sesame oil
  • ½ Teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon pepper

Combine and toss first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; set aside.

Combine vegetable oil and remaining 8 ingredients in another bowl; whisk well.

Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture; toss gently.

Cover bowl and chill 2 hours; serves 12.

ASIAN PASTA SALAD RECIPE

  • 8 Ounces linguine
  • ¼ Cup bottled teriyaki sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • ½ Teaspoon grated ginger root
  • ¼ Teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 8 Ounces flaked crabmeat
  • 4 Cups coarsely shredded green cabbage
  • 1 Cup shredded carrots
  • 1/3 Cup sliced green onions
  • 1/3 Cup fresh cilantro leaves

Cook pasta according to the package directions; drain in colander.

Rinse pasta under fresh cold water; drain thoroughly and set aside.

In a large salad bowl combine teriyaki, lemon juice, oil, ginger and red pepper.

Briskly; whisk dressing to blend; add pasta, crab, cabbage, carrots, onion and cilantro.

Toss salad gently to mix and coat; serves 4.

RICE SALAD RECIPE

Rice Salad RecipeRice Salad Recipe
  • 2 Cups water
  • 3 Tablespoon soy sauce (Divided)
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain rice (Wash and drain) 
  • 1 1/2 Cups cooked shrimp (Divided)
  • 1 Carrot (peel and shred)
  • ½ Cup frozen green peas (Thaw and drain)
  • ½ Cup chopped green onion (Green and white parts)
  • 1 Tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
  • ¼ Cup distilled white vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 Teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 Teaspoons water
  • Lettuce leaves

Combine water and 2 tablespoons soy sauce in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil.

Stir in rice; cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes until water is absorbed.

Remove pan from heat; cool in pan.

Drain shrimp thoroughly; remove and reserve ½ cup of the shrimp.

Chopped remaining shrimp; combine with carrot, peas, green onion and ginger in a large bowl.

Fluff the rice with a fork; fold rice into the shrimp mixture, cover and refrigerate until cold.

Measure the vinegar, sugar, remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sesame seed and 2 teaspoons water.

Place mixture in a jar with screw top; cover and shake until sugar dissolves.

Pour mixture over the cold rice mixture; toss to coat all ingredients.

Line plates with lettuce leaves; spoon rice salad on lettuce.

Sprinkle remaining shrimp on top of rice mixture; garnish if desired.

Serves 6.

DAIKON SALAD RECIPE

Learn how to make Chinese salad recipes with daikon radishes.

  • 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon grated gingerroot
  • ½ Teaspoon sesame oil
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 3 Medium daikon white radishes (Slice diagonally) (2 cups)
  • 1 Cup sliced mushrooms
  • ¼ Cup sliced green onions
  • 6 Bibb lettuce leaves
  • 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Combine in a covered container vinegar, oil, soy sauce, ginger root, sesame oil and salt.

Combine daikon radishes, mushrooms and onions in a large bowl.

Shake the liquid in container until well blended; pour over the radish mixture.

Toss mixture in bowl to cover and coat; cover tightly and chill for 2 hours.

Serve salad on lettuce leaves; sprinkle top with sesame seeds.

Serves 6.