Crunchy Celery Peanut Salad (Print Version)

A vibrant blend of celery, peanuts, and zesty soy ginger dressing for a crisp, refreshing salad.

# What You'll 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 & Seeds

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

→ Fresh Herbs

07 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

→ Dressing

08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
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 lime juice
15 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 small red chili, finely chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large salad bowl, combine the celery, red bell pepper, scallions, carrot, and cilantro.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, 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.
05 - Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or chill for 10 minutes to let flavors meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dressing is bold enough to make you feel like you're eating something special, yet takes barely three minutes to mix together.
  • Celery gets a real moment to shine here instead of playing second fiddle in a vegetable medley.
  • You can prep this while your coffee is still hot and be eating lunch before noon.
02 -
  • Don't dress this salad more than an hour ahead—the celery will start to soften and lose its defining crunch, which is honestly the whole point.
  • Taste the dressing before it meets the vegetables; you might want an extra teaspoon of lime or ginger depending on your mood that day.
03 -
  • Use a microplane grater for the ginger and garlic—fine shreds distribute evenly and taste less sharp than chunks.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the peanuts and sesame seeds separate and fold them in just before serving to preserve their crunch.
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