The Best Potsticker Salad: A Quick & Flavorful Asian-Inspired Meal
Are you searching for a dinner that’s both incredibly quick and undeniably delicious? Look no further than this sensational Potsticker Salad! It’s the perfect answer to those busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying and full of flavor but have minimal time to cook. This vibrant salad masterfully combines the comforting warmth of pan-fried potstickers with a crisp, refreshing mix of coleslaw, cilantro, almonds, and green onions, all brought together by a lusciously savory peanut dressing. It transforms humble frozen dumplings into an exciting and well-rounded meal that feels far more gourmet than its simple preparation suggests.
This recipe is my go-to for evenings when I have a bag of frozen potstickers ready in the freezer and my energy for elaborate cooking is running low. The magic happens as the warm, savory dumplings nestle into the cool, crunchy slaw. The homemade peanut dressing acts as the unifying force, tying all the diverse textures and bold Asian-inspired flavors into a harmonious whole. Suddenly, what started as a simple idea for “whatever’s in the fridge” becomes a culinary delight that will leave you feeling completely satisfied.
While convenience is key here with store-bought potstickers, feel free to get creative! You can use any type of frozen potstickers you prefer—chicken, pork, vegetable, or shrimp all work wonderfully. If you’re feeling adventurous and have a little extra time, you could even try making your own homemade versions. For an incredible from-scratch option, consider this recipe for Homemade Pan Fried Shrimp and Pork Potstickers to elevate your salad to the next level.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Potsticker Salad
This Potsticker Salad isn’t just another meal; it’s a delightful culinary hack that brings maximum flavor with minimum effort. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your recipe rotation:
- Effortless Weeknight Hero: Life gets hectic, and cooking shouldn’t add to the stress. This salad comes together in just about 15 minutes, making it an ideal choice for those super busy weeknights when time is of the essence. You get a freshly made, flavorful dinner without hours in the kitchen.
- Big Flavor, Simple Shortcuts: By utilizing frozen potstickers and enhancing them with a rich, homemade peanut dressing, you unlock a depth of flavor that tastes like it took much longer to prepare. It’s the ultimate smart shortcut that never sacrifices taste.
- Infinitely Customizable: This recipe is incredibly versatile! Don’t have coleslaw mix? Use shredded cabbage and carrots. Want more protein? Add grilled chicken or tofu. Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables, nuts, or herbs to make each bowl uniquely yours. It’s perfect for using up whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand.
- Excellent for Meal Prep & Leftovers: Cook extra potstickers and prepare components of the salad ahead of time for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. Simply assemble just before eating to maintain that perfect crispy texture. It’s a fantastic way to ensure healthy and exciting meals are always within reach.
- No Oven, No Sweat: Ideal for warmer months or when you simply want to avoid heating up your kitchen. The only cooking required is for the potstickers, which can be done on the stovetop. Stay cool and enjoy a delicious meal!
- Irresistible Texture Contrast: The warm, sometimes crispy, exterior of the potstickers plays beautifully against the cool, crunchy coleslaw, creating a dynamic eating experience that’s anything but boring. Every bite offers a satisfying mix of soft and crisp.
- Budget-Friendly: Frozen potstickers are often an economical protein source, and combined with readily available salad ingredients, this meal is kind to your wallet without compromising on taste or satisfaction.
Gather Your Ingredients: What You’ll Need
For detailed measurements and the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card, please scroll to the bottom of this post.
For the Quick & Flavorful Salad Base:
- Chicken & Vegetable Potstickers: The star of our show! Any variety you love works here—pork, shrimp, or all-veggie dumplings are also excellent choices. Cook them according to package directions, ideally pan-fried for that desirable crispy bottom.
- Coleslaw Mix: A true time-saver. These pre-shredded cabbage and carrot mixes are readily available and provide instant crunch and freshness. You can opt for a standard green cabbage mix or a colorful blend with red cabbage.
- Fresh Cilantro: Finely chopped, cilantro adds a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor that brightens the entire dish. If you’re not a fan, you can substitute with mint or skip it.
- Sliced Almonds: Toasted or plain, these offer a wonderful nutty crunch and healthy fats. They complement the Asian flavors beautifully.
- Sliced Green Onions: Also known as scallions, these contribute a mild, zesty onion flavor and a pop of green for garnish and taste.
- Optional Add-ins for Extra Crunch & Nutrition: Consider adding shredded carrots, thinly sliced bell peppers (red or yellow for color), edamame, or even a handful of crunchy chow mein noodles for extra texture.
For the Irresistible Peanut Dressing:
- Soy Sauce: The foundation of our savory dressing. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake. Tamari is a great gluten-free alternative.
- Sauce Packet From Potstickers: Many frozen potsticker brands come with a small packet of dipping sauce. This is a fantastic base for our dressing, adding an authentic, tangy-sweet kick.
- Olive Oil: Helps to emulsify the dressing and adds a smooth richness. You can substitute with sesame oil for a more pronounced nutty, Asian aroma.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The key ingredient for that signature creamy, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor. Natural peanut butter works wonderfully.
- Optional Flavor Enhancers: For an even more complex dressing, whisk in a splash of rice vinegar for tang, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for sweetness, a dash of sriracha for heat, or a pinch of grated fresh ginger and garlic.
Simple Steps to Your Delicious Potsticker Salad
Creating this satisfying potsticker salad is incredibly straightforward. Follow these easy steps to assemble your meal in minutes:
- 1. Cook the Potstickers to Perfection: Begin by preparing your potstickers according to the instructions on their package. For the best texture in this salad, I highly recommend pan-frying them. Heat a little oil in a skillet, place the potstickers in a single layer, brown them on one side, then add a splash of water, cover, and steam until cooked through and tender. Uncover and let them crisp up again. Once cooked, set them aside to stay warm while you prepare the rest of the salad components.
- 2. Build Your Crisp Salad Base: Take your serving bowls and divide the coleslaw mix evenly between them. Next, sprinkle in the chopped fresh cilantro, crunchy sliced almonds, and vibrant sliced green onions. This creates a colorful and texturally rich foundation for your potstickers.
- 3. Top with Warm Potstickers: Carefully arrange a few warm, perfectly cooked potstickers on top of each salad bowl. The contrast between the warm dumplings and the cool, crisp salad is what makes this dish truly special.
- 4. Whisk Together the Savory Dressing: In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the sauce packet from your potstickers, olive oil (or sesame oil), creamy peanut butter, and soy sauce. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dressing is smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with a tiny bit of water if it’s too thick.
- 5. Dress and Serve Immediately: Generously drizzle the delicious peanut dressing over each assembled salad. Serve immediately to enjoy the delightful combination of warm potstickers and crisp salad at their best. Enjoy every bite!
Recipe Tips & Creative Variations
Elevate your Potsticker Salad with these helpful tips and exciting suggestions:
- Choose Your Favorite Potstickers: This recipe is incredibly adaptable! Feel free to use any type of potsticker you love—chicken, pork, veggie, or even shrimp varieties all work wonderfully. What’s in your freezer is always the right choice!
- Pan-Fry for Ultimate Texture: While boiling or steaming potstickers is an option, pan-frying them to achieve a crispy, golden-brown bottom adds an incredible textural contrast to the soft interiors and the crunchy salad mix. Don’t skip this step for the best experience!
- Boost Your Veggies: Amp up the nutritional value and crunch by tossing in extra vegetables. Shredded carrots, thinly sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), cucumber ribbons, snap peas, or even shelled edamame are fantastic additions that add color and freshness.
- Custom Sauce Swaps: If your potstickers don’t come with a sauce packet, or if you prefer a different flavor profile, you have many options. Hoisin sauce, sweet chili garlic sauce, or teriyaki sauce can make excellent bases for your dressing. Just remember to adjust other dressing ingredients for balance.
- Spice It Up: For those who love a bit of heat, easily add a squeeze of sriracha, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a dash of chili oil to your peanut dressing. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
- No Sauce Packet? No Problem! Make Your Own Peanut Dressing: If your potstickers don’t include a sauce packet, or you simply prefer a completely homemade dressing, you can whip up a delicious alternative in minutes. Combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, and a small clove of minced garlic (optional). Whisk until smooth. My Chinese Chicken Salad dressing is also a fantastic substitute!
- Make Ahead for Easy Meal Prep: You can prepare many components of this salad in advance. Chop your cilantro and green onions, prepare your coleslaw mix, and even whisk together the dressing. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Cook the potstickers and assemble the salad just before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: This Potsticker Salad is hearty enough to be a stand-alone light dinner or lunch. It also makes a fantastic side dish for grilled chicken or fish, or a unique appetizer for a casual gathering.
- Dietary Adjustments: For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your potstickers are certified gluten-free. For a nut-free alternative, you can substitute the peanut butter with sunbutter or a tahini-based dressing.
More Hearty & Delicious Salad Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of satisfying salads that can hold their own as a main course, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes:
- Big Mac Salads
- BBQ Chicken Salad
- Steak Salad
- Grinder Salad
- Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad
Potstickers Asian Chopped Salad
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
2
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Ingredients
Salad
-
6 Potstickers, (cooked according to the package directions) -
4 cups coleslaw mix -
3 Tablespoons
cilantro
, finely chopped -
1/4 cup
sliced almonds
-
1/4 cup
sliced green onions
Dressing
-
1 packet sauce from Pot stickers -
1 Tablespoon
olive oil
-
1 Tablespoon
peanut butter
-
2 teaspoons
soy sauce
Instructions
-
To assemble the salad, first ensure your potstickers are cooked according to package directions (pan-frying is recommended for crispiness). Then, divide the coleslaw mix, finely chopped cilantro, sliced almonds, and sliced green onions evenly into two serving bowls. Top each bowl with 3 warm potstickers.4 cups coleslaw mix,
3 Tablespoons cilantro,
1/4 cup sliced almonds,
1/4 cup sliced green onions,
6 Potstickers -
To make the dressing, combine all of the dressing ingredients—the potsticker sauce packet, olive oil, peanut butter, and soy sauce—in a small bowl. Whisk until thoroughly blended and smooth.1 packet sauce from Pot stickers,
1 Tablespoon olive oil,
1 Tablespoon peanut butter,
2 teaspoons soy sauce -
Drizzle the prepared dressing generously over the salads and serve immediately to enjoy the best warm and cool, crispy and tender textures.
Nutrition
Per Serving (approximate for 2 servings):
- Calories: 547 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g
- Cholesterol: 28mg
- Sodium: 817mg
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 12g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on ingredients used.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Dinner Recipes, Main Dish Salad
Asian, American
2
547
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
This Potsticker Salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a game-changer for quick, flavorful meals. With its delightful combination of warm, crispy potstickers, fresh and crunchy vegetables, and a rich, savory peanut dressing, it promises a satisfying experience every time. Whether you’re rushing after a long day or planning a tasty week of lunches, this customizable and easy-to-make dish fits perfectly into any lifestyle.
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