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No-cook dinners · 15 minutes

Edamame Crunch Bowl with Ginger-Sesame Dressing

Thawed frozen edamame need no cooking because they’re blanched before freezing, and a handful of crispy fried onions gives the bowl a crunch that tastes like effort.

Prep
15 min
Cook
none
Total
15 min
Serves
2
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VeganDairy-freeEgg-freeNo cooking

Frozen shelled edamame is one of the best no-cook proteins in the freezer aisle. Most bags are blanched before freezing, so a few minutes under cold running water is all they need to go from frozen to sweet, firm and ready to eat. Two cups gives you a properly filling bowl with around 18 grams of protein per serving.

The rest is crunch: finely shredded cabbage, carrot and scallions, tossed in a ginger-sesame dressing with enough rice vinegar to keep it bright. The fried onions from the can (yes, the green bean casserole ones) go on last and turn it from virtuous to something you’ll actually crave.

The recipe

Edamame Crunch Bowl with Ginger-Sesame Dressing

Prep 15 min · Cook none · Total 15 min · Serves 2

Ingredients

Tap to tick off as you go.

For the dressing

For the bowl

Method

  1. Step 1: Thaw the edamame

    Put the edamame in a colander and run cold water over them for 3–4 minutes, tossing, until no icy bits remain. Shake dry and spread on a towel.

  2. Step 2: Make the dressing

    Whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar, both oils, ginger, maple syrup and sriracha in a large bowl.

  3. Step 3: Toss the slaw

    Add the cabbage, carrot and most of the scallions to the dressing and toss well with your hands, squeezing the cabbage a little so it softens slightly and soaks up the flavor.

  4. Step 4: Add the edamame

    Fold in the edamame and cilantro, then divide between two bowls.

  5. Step 5: Top and serve

    Pile the fried onions, sesame seeds and remaining scallions on top just before eating. Serve with lime wedges.

Good to know

  • Shred the cabbage as thin as you can, or use a mandoline. Thick ribbons stay tough and don’t pick up the dressing.
  • Dry the edamame well after thawing. Water clinging to them thins out the dressing.
  • Keep the fried onions in a separate container if packing this for lunch; they go soft within 10 minutes of hitting the dressing.

Swaps

Soy sauce and fried onions
Make it gluten-free: tamari and gluten-free fried shallots or chopped roasted peanuts
Maple syrup
Agave or 1 tsp sugar
Edamame
A drained can of chickpeas or cubes of baked tofu from the deli case
Cilantro
Mint or Thai basil

Questions people ask

Can you eat frozen edamame without cooking it?

Most frozen shelled edamame is blanched before freezing and labeled fully cooked, so it’s safe to eat once thawed. Check the bag; if it says to cook before eating, follow the package directions.

How much protein is in edamame?

About 17–18 grams per cup of shelled edamame, which makes it one of the highest-protein vegetables you can buy.

Are crispy fried onions vegan?

The common canned brands are made from onions, oil, wheat flour and salt, so they’re usually vegan but not gluten-free. Check the label, as recipes vary.

Get the cabbage, carrot and ginger from a farmer.

This recipe is only as good as what goes in it. Find a farmers market or CSA farm near you, or get a produce box delivered when there’s no market this week.

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