Delicious & Easy Potsticker Salad: Your Ultimate Weeknight Asian-Inspired Meal

Are you looking for a quick, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful meal that comes together in minutes? This Potsticker Salad is an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights. It masterfully combines the irresistible warmth and savory chewiness of perfectly cooked potstickers with a refreshing, crisp coleslaw mix, bright cilantro, crunchy almonds, and a vibrant green onion sprinkle. All these delightful textures and tastes are then united by an addictive, rich peanut dressing, transforming humble frozen dumplings into a gourmet experience.

Some evenings, the thought of an elaborate dinner feels overwhelming, yet the craving for something truly delicious persists. This Asian-inspired chopped salad perfectly bridges that gap. It’s the ideal solution when you have a pack of frozen potstickers ready in the freezer but lack the energy for a full stir-fry or an intricate meal. The genius of this dish lies in its simplicity and the delightful contrast it offers: warm, tender potstickers nestled atop a cool, crunchy salad base, all drenched in a sweet and savory dressing.

The beauty of this recipe extends to its incredible versatility. While store-bought potstickers offer the ultimate convenience, making your own can elevate the dish even further. If you’re feeling adventurous and have a little extra time, you can craft your own homemade dumplings using a recipe like these Homemade Pan-Fried Shrimp and Pork Potstickers. Either way, this salad promises a harmonious blend of textures and an explosion of Asian-inspired flavors that will quickly make it a staple in your dinner rotation.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Easy Potsticker Salad

This isn’t just another salad; it’s a meal solution that brings joy and ease to your kitchen. Here’s why this Potsticker Salad will quickly become a household favorite:

Effortless Weeknight Dinner in 15 Minutes: Time is often a luxury, especially on busy weeknights. This recipe is designed for speed, allowing you to whip up a delicious, restaurant-quality meal from start to finish in about 15 minutes. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want something homemade but need to minimize cooking and cleanup time.
Big Flavor with Simple Shortcuts: The secret to this salad’s incredible taste lies in cleverly utilizing convenience items. Frozen potstickers and their accompanying sauce packets provide a fantastic flavor base without requiring extensive prep. This means you get rich, savory, and authentic Asian flavors without sacrificing valuable time or effort.
Infinitely Customizable to Your Taste: This recipe is a fantastic canvas for creativity. Feel free to personalize your bowl with different vegetables, herbs, or protein sources. Swap out the coleslaw mix for shredded cabbage and carrots, add bell peppers or edamame, or try different types of potstickers. It’s all about making it your own with what you love or have on hand.
Excellent for Quick Leftovers and Meal Prep: Cook a larger batch of potstickers, and you’ve got the foundation for several quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. Store the dressing separately from the salad components to maintain freshness and crunch, then assemble just before serving for maximum enjoyment. It’s a smart way to get ahead on your meal planning.
No Oven Required – Perfect for Any Season: On warm days, the last thing you want is to heat up your kitchen. This salad recipe requires only a stovetop for cooking the potstickers, making it an ideal choice for a light yet filling meal during summer, or simply when you want to avoid turning on the oven.

Essential Ingredients for Your Potsticker Salad

This recipe relies on a few key components that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. We’ll break down both the salad base and the irresistible peanut dressing.

For detailed measurements and the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card, please scroll to the bottom of the post.

For the Flavorful Salad Base:

Chicken & Vegetable Potstickers: The star of the show! Use your favorite brand of frozen potstickers, whether they’re chicken, pork, shrimp, or purely vegetable-based. Ensure they are cooked according to the package directions until golden and tender.
Coleslaw Mix: This is your ultimate shortcut for a crisp, varied salad base. A pre-shredded mix often contains cabbage and carrots, providing excellent crunch and a subtle sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the savory potstickers.
Fresh Cilantro: Finely chopped cilantro adds a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor that is quintessential to many Asian dishes. It brightens the entire salad and complements the rich dressing.
Sliced Almonds: Toasted or raw, sliced almonds contribute a delightful nutty crunch, adding another layer of texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft potstickers and crisp vegetables.
Sliced Green Onions: These provide a mild oniony bite and a beautiful pop of color. Use both the white and green parts for maximum flavor and visual appeal.

For the Irresistible Peanut Dressing:

Soy Sauce: The foundation of many Asian dressings, soy sauce brings essential umami and saltiness. Opt for low-sodium if you’re watching your salt intake.
Sauce Packet From Potstickers: Many frozen potsticker brands include a dipping sauce packet. This is a fantastic ready-made component that adds depth and a familiar flavor profile to your dressing. If your potstickers don’t come with one, don’t worry – we have substitutions!
Olive Oil: A touch of olive oil helps to emulsify the dressing, giving it a smooth consistency and a subtle richness.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The hero of the dressing, creamy peanut butter provides a luscious texture and that signature sweet-and-savory nutty flavor that makes this salad so addictive. Make sure it’s smooth for the best consistency.

Step-by-Step: How to Craft Your Perfect Potsticker Salad

Assembling this delicious Potsticker Salad is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a quick and satisfying meal:

Step 1: Cook Your Potstickers to Perfection: Begin by preparing your chosen potstickers. Whether you’re pan-frying them for a crispy exterior, steaming them for a softer bite, or microwaving for ultimate speed, follow the specific package directions. Aim for golden-brown edges if pan-frying, as this adds an amazing textural contrast to the salad. Once cooked, set them aside to cool slightly while you prepare the remaining components.
Step 2: Assemble the Crisp Salad Base: In individual serving bowls, divide your coleslaw mix evenly. This forms the crunchy foundation of your salad. Next, sprinkle generous amounts of finely chopped cilantro, sliced almonds, and sliced green onions over the coleslaw. The visual appeal is almost as good as the taste!
Step 3: Top with Warm, Savory Potstickers: Gently arrange a few of your freshly cooked, warm potstickers on top of each salad bowl. The warmth of the potstickers will slightly wilt the greens, infusing the salad with their savory essence.
Step 4: Whisk Together the Irresistible Peanut Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the contents of your potsticker sauce packet (if using), olive oil, creamy peanut butter, and soy sauce. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dressing is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, you can add a tiny splash of water or rice vinegar to reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Dress and Serve Immediately: Generously drizzle the homemade peanut dressing over each assembled salad. For the best texture and flavor, serve your Potsticker Salad right away. The contrast of warm potstickers and crisp, dressed greens is truly magical when fresh.

Expert Tips & Delicious Variations for Your Potsticker Salad

Elevate your Potsticker Salad with these helpful tips and creative suggestions:

Embrace Any Potsticker Type: Don’t limit yourself! This salad is incredibly versatile. Whether you prefer chicken, pork, shrimp, or purely vegetarian potstickers, they will all work wonderfully. Choose what you enjoy most or what you have available in your freezer.
Pan-Fry for Superior Texture: While steaming is an option, pan-frying your potstickers until they develop a golden-brown, crispy bottom adds an invaluable textural element to the salad. This crispiness provides a fantastic counterpoint to the soft interior of the dumplings and the crunch of the vegetables.
Boost Your Veggies: Enhance the nutritional value and visual appeal of your salad by incorporating additional fresh vegetables. Shredded carrots, thinly sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for color), julienned cucumber, shelled edamame, or even a handful of spinach can be easily tossed into the coleslaw mix.
Customize the Sauce Base: If your chosen potstickers don’t come with a sauce packet, or if you simply want to experiment, you have many delicious options. Hoisin sauce offers a sweet and tangy profile, teriyaki sauce provides a savory glaze, or chili garlic sauce can add a fantastic spicy kick. Feel free to mix and match to create your ideal dressing base.
Add a Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, easily transform your dressing into a spicy peanut dressing. A squeeze of sriracha, a dash of hot sesame oil, or a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the dressing will add a fiery dimension that perfectly balances the sweetness.
DIY Peanut Dressing (No Sauce Packet? No Problem!): If your potstickers don’t have a sauce packet, or you prefer to make your dressing from scratch, it’s simple! Combine 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with 1-2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, and a touch of honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Whisk until smooth, adding water if needed for consistency. For an excellent alternative, consider using the dressing recipe from my popular Chinese Chicken Salad for a similar flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings

This Potsticker Salad is a complete meal on its own, offering a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates. However, if you’re looking to expand your spread or enhance the dining experience, consider these pairing ideas:

Soup Starter: A light clear soup, such as a simple miso soup or a clear vegetable broth, can be a refreshing starter to this hearty salad.
Extra Crunch: Add a side of crispy wonton strips or even crushed ramen noodles (from a seasoning-free packet) for an additional textural element.
Light Dessert: Conclude your meal with fresh fruit, like sliced mango, pineapple, or a simple fruit salad, to cleanse the palate.
Beverage Pairings: A crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, a light lager, or even an iced green tea would complement the Asian flavors beautifully.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips for Convenience

Making this Potsticker Salad work for your busy lifestyle is easy with a few smart storage and meal prep strategies:

Dressing Separation is Key: To prevent your salad from becoming soggy, always store the peanut dressing separately from the salad components. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
Salad Base Storage: The coleslaw mix, cilantro, almonds, and green onions can be combined and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. If you’ve added other veggies like bell peppers or carrots, they will also hold up well.
Potsticker Storage: Cooked potstickers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For best texture, reheat them in a pan for a few minutes until crispy again, or in the microwave if you prioritize speed over crispness.
Assemble Just Before Eating: For the freshest and most satisfying experience, assemble your Potsticker Salad just before you plan to eat it. Add the warm potstickers to the cold salad base and drizzle with the chilled dressing. This ensures maximum crunch and optimal flavor.

More Hearty Salad Inspirations You’ll Love

If you enjoy a salad that truly satisfies, explore some of our other favorite hearty salad recipes:

Big Mac Salads
BBQ Chicken Salad
Steak Salad
Grinder Salad
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad

5 from 3 votes

Potstickers Asian Chopped Salad

By Erin Sellin

Potstickers Asian Chopped Salad – A quick and easy chopped salad topped with delicious potstickers and a homemade Asian peanut dressing. A fun and flavorful twist on a classic Asian Chopped Salad!

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 15 minutes

Servings: 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, start by dividing the crisp coleslaw mix, fresh cilantro, crunchy almonds, and vibrant green onions into two separate serving bowls. Then, gently place 3 warm, cooked potstickers on top of each salad bowl.

4 cups coleslaw mix,
3 Tablespoons cilantro,
1/4 cup sliced almonds,
1/4 cup sliced green onions,
6 Potstickers
For the dressing, combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well blended. Drizzle this savory peanut dressing generously over both salads.

1 packet sauce from Pot stickers,
1 Tablespoon olive oil,
1 Tablespoon peanut butter,
2 teaspoons soy sauce
Serve your delicious Potsticker Salad immediately to enjoy the best combination of warm and cold, crisp and tender textures.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Course: Dinner Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 2

Calories: 547

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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