Crispy Rice Peanut Sesame Salad (Printable)

Golden crispy rice, crisp vegetables, and creamy peanut-sesame dressing come together in this vibrant Asian-inspired dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Crispy Rice Base

01 - 3 cups cooked jasmine or long-grain rice, day-old and chilled
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Peanut Sesame Dressing

04 - 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
05 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
07 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
10 - 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
11 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
12 - 2-3 tablespoons water, to thin

→ Salad Vegetables and Toppings

13 - 1 cup shredded carrots
14 - 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
15 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
16 - 1/2 cup chopped scallions
17 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
18 - 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
19 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
20 - 1 fresh red chili, thinly sliced (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chilled rice and salt, spreading in an even layer. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until bottom forms a golden crust, then toss and continue cooking until rice is golden and crunchy throughout, approximately 10 minutes total. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, lime juice, grated garlic, and grated ginger until smooth. Gradually add water 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously, until dressing reaches a pourable consistency.
03 - In a large serving bowl, combine cooled crispy rice, shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, purple cabbage, chopped scallions, and fresh cilantro. Drizzle half the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Divide salad among individual serving bowls. Top each portion with chopped roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and thinly sliced red chili if desired. Serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side for additional seasoning.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy rice creates this incredible texture that makes every bite feel like a discovery
  • The dressing doubles as a sauce for everything else in your fridge—grain bowls, noodles, straight off a spoon
02 -
  • The rice must be completely cold and slightly dry—if it's even slightly warm you'll end up with a sad steamed mess instead of crispy magic
  • Let the salad sit for 10 minutes after tossing so the crispy rice can soften slightly in the dressing which creates the perfect chewy crisp texture
03 -
  • The dressing tastes best after at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator so make it first and let the flavors meld while you crisp the rice
  • Toast extra sesame seeds and keep them in a small jar—they'll add instant crunch and nutty flavor to anything you make all week

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