Easy Edamame Salad

With the onset of springtime, nothing can be more timely than this fresh and fuss-free Edamame Salad! It is a delightful mix of crunchy, creamy, and juicy veggies tossed in a bright cilantro-lime dressing.

Not only is this protein-packed salad inexpensive and easy to throw together, but it is also rich in fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamin K. Plus, it is loaded with essential fatty acids and low in saturated and trans-fat. So when it comes to healthy eating on a budget, this salad ticks all the right boxes!

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What is Edamame?

They are basically young soybeans encased in their pods commonly used in most East Asian cuisines. Because of its amazing health benefits, it has now become an in-demand produce used mainly in salads and pasta or prepared as a simple snack or appetizer. You can usually find them shelled or unshelled at the frozen vegetable section of popular groceries and supermarkets. Once cooked, the unshelled pods would have a crisp-tender texture and a mild sweet and nutty taste that you can easily flavor to your liking. If you enjoy this recipe, be sure to try out this quick spicy edamame, too!

Easy Edamame Salad Ingredients

• Edamame – Shelled and cooked. The star of this recipe is considered a complete protein providing all essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce on their own. If you have leftovers after making this salad, you can use it with our Udon Edamame Stir-fry and Fresh Crunchy Salad.
• Black beans – Its creamy texture and mildly sweet flavor perfectly complement the slight bite and nuttiness of the edamame.
• Corn kernels – We love how these add crunch and color to the salad!
• Cherry tomatoes – Bright, sweet, and juicy tomatoes are fresh salad essentials, right? You can add medium-sized tomatoes cut into quarters too.
• Ripe avocado – Adds a sweet, earthy creaminess.
• Red onion – Its bright color and crispy texture are perfect for this salad! The flavor is milder and sweeter than yellow onions, making them ideal for raw serving.
• Cilantro – Adds tons of freshness with a hint of tangy citrus flavor. Parsley or basil is a good alternative if you are one of those who do not like cilantro.
• Juice of one lime – Coats the veggies with a bright, tangy taste. You can also use lemon juice as a substitute.
• Salt – to taste.

Add ons and Possible Variations

One of the great things about salads is their versatility! You can add, swap and omit some ingredients depending on what you like. Here are some ideas that you can try to make your Edamame Salad always enjoyable!

• Add some nuts. Crushed walnuts, pecans, or almonds will go great with this salad. If you want to add an element of sweetness or spice, add some Candied Rosemary Walnuts or Cinnamon Spice Almonds. If you are allergic to nuts, use seeds instead.
• Top with more fresh fruits. Aside from avocado, you can also serve this with other fruit slices like apples and mandarins.
• Make it spicy. For those who are fond of spicy salads, you can add some chopped green chilies, jalapeño peppers or sprinkle some chili flakes.
• Asian-style salad. If you want to give it a touch of Asian flavor, add a bit of sesame oil and garnish with sesame seeds before serving. You can also forgo the lime juice and swap it with Peanut Sauce or tahini dressing.

Easy Edamame Salad Instructions

1. Cook the Edamame. Always follow package instructions when cooking your frozen edamame. It can either be boiled, steamed, or heated in the microwave.
2. Combine the Ingredients. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss using a wooden spoon. Make sure to mix everything together until the lime juice is evenly distributed.
3. Chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or lid, then place in the fridge to chill for an hour to overnight.

Tips

• Make sure to not overcook your edamame, or they will turn mushy and unappetizing. The ideal texture of well-cooked edamame is soft but should still have a bite.
• Make sure to drain your edamame, beans, and corn kernels before adding them into the bowl to prevent your salad from becoming watery. Pat them dry with paper towels/cloth for good measure.
• We love the mix of the veggies used in this recipe, but do not let that stop you from adding more, especially those that are just sitting in your fridge. Cucumbers, bell peppers, green/red cabbage, carrots, etc., are good options.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I keep the shells on? I do not recommend doing so. Edamame shells are tough and bitter and will not be edible at all.
2. Can I eat thawed edamame? Frozen edamame pods are blanched before being packed, so they are not considered raw. However, it is still better to cook them to get the perfect tender-yet-firm texture.
3. Can I serve it without chilling? Yes, you can. However, we advise you to let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Storing Leftover Edamame Salad

This salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, so it is perfect for making ahead and for meal prep. Make sure to keep your salad as fresh as possible by covering your bowl with plastic wrap or by using a lidded container to store it.

Here are other fresh, budget-friendly salads for you to try!

1. Healthy Mango Black Bean Salad –  Is hearty, bursting with flavor, and packed with plant-based protein and fiber. Made with 8 low-budget, pantry-friendly ingredients in 5 minutes (not including marinating time)! It’s great on its own, as a dip, spread on tacos and burritos, and so much more!
2. Vegan Broccoli Salad – A merge of amazing colors, flavors, and textures that create a perfect light and refreshing salad. Make this delectable fall raw salad in just 10 minutes!
3. Wild Rice Fall Salad – Is chockful of fresh autumn ingredients, creating a gorgeous kaleidoscope of colors and textures. It is a high-fiber dish full of amazing tastes, from the sweetness of apples and dried berries, nuttiness from the pecans, and wild rice with a hint of smokiness too.

Easy Edamame Salad

4.95 from 86 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Chill: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

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With the onset of springtime, nothing can be more timely than this fresh and fuss-free Edamame Salad! It is a delightful mix of crunchy, creamy, and juicy veggies tossed in a bright cilantro-lime dressing.

Video

Equipment

• Measuring Cups
• Measuring spoons
• Large bowl

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 16 ounces of frozen shelled edamame
• ▢ 15 ounces of black beans, drained and rinsed
• ▢ 15 ounces of corn kernels, drained
• ▢ 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes
• ▢ 1 large ripe avocado, pitted and diced optional
• ▢ ½ cup of finely chopped red onion
• ▢ ¼ cup of minced cilantro
• ▢ Juice of one lime
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions 

• Cook edamame per package instructions.
• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix thoroughly.
• Chill in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least an hour.

Notes

 

• Add some nuts. Crushed walnuts, pecans, or almonds will go great with this salad. If you want to add an element of sweetness or spice, add some Candied Rosemary Walnuts or Cinnamon Spice Almonds. If you are allergic to nuts, use seeds instead.
• Top with more fresh fruits. Aside from avocado, you can also serve this with other fruit slices like apples and mandarins.
• Make it spicy. For those who are fond of spicy salads, you can add some chopped green chilies, jalapeño peppers or sprinkle some chili flakes.
• Asian-style salad. If you want to give it a touch of Asian flavor, add a bit of sesame oil and garnish with sesame seeds before serving. You can also forgo the lime juice and swap it with Peanut Sauce or tahini dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 24gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 1007mgPotassium: 1426mgFiber: 20gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 613IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 129mgIron: 6mg

Additional Info

Author: Toni Okamoto

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American

Method: Stovetop

Diet: Vegan

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