Crunchy Celery Peanut Salad (Printable)

Crisp celery and roasted peanuts combined with a zingy soy ginger dressing for a fresh, vibrant salad.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 6 large celery stalks, thinly sliced on the diagonal
02 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
03 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small carrot, julienned

→ Nuts and Seeds

05 - 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, white or black

→ Fresh Herbs

07 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

→ Dressing

08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce, or tamari for gluten-free
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
15 - 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes or 1 small red chili, finely chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large salad bowl, combine the sliced celery, red bell pepper, scallions, julienned carrot, and chopped cilantro.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, lime juice, and chili flakes until well combined.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat all the vegetables evenly.
04 - Add the chopped peanuts and sesame seeds, tossing lightly to distribute throughout the salad.
05 - Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or chill for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, no cooking required—just sharp knife skills and a whisking arm.
  • The dressing is bold enough that you'll actually crave leftovers, unlike most leafy salads that wilt into regret.
02 -
  • Don't dress this salad more than 30 minutes ahead or the celery loses its nerve and becomes limp—it's a same-day salad, not a make-ahead situation.
  • The difference between good and great is in the ginger quality; if your ginger tastes like a wooden spoon, your salad will too.
03 -
  • Slice your celery on the bias instead of straight—it catches the dressing and looks more thoughtful without any extra effort.
  • Make the dressing in a jar with a tight lid so you can shake it back to life if it separates, and you've got a portable container for leftovers.
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