Asian Celery Date Salad (Fresh, Crunchy & Irresistible)

Every now and then, I stumble on a recipe that I could eat my weight in... one of those magical recipes where you take one bite, and immediately know it's going into the frequent flyer file. This Asian Celery Date Salad (I call it "a legit flavor-bomb!") is exactly that kind of dish!

At first glance, it might seem a little unexpected… celery and dates? Trust me on this one! The crisp, cool crunch of the celery, the natural sweetness of the dates, along with a bright, tangy, sweet-savory dressing, come together in the most delicious way. Add plenty of fresh herbs, a hint of heat, and a sprinkle of salty nuts, and you'll find that every bite bursts with vibrant flavor and a wonderful mix of textures!

Why We Love This Asian Celery Date Salad

So let me tell you all the reasons I love this crave-worthy salad:

It's a flavor explosion in every bite! Sweet, tangy, salty, fresh, and just a little bit spicy, this salad hits all the right notes. The lime, fish sauce and sesame oil create a bold, vibrant dressing that brings everything to life.

The texture is absolutely irresistible. Crunchy celery, tender cabbage, chewy dates, fresh herbs, and crispy nuts… there's so much going on here in the best possible way. It's one of those salads that keeps every bite interesting.

It's vibrant and feel-good delicious. With lots of herbs and crisp veggies, this salad feels bright and nourishing, perfect for spring and summer (or anytime you're craving something fabulously fresh). I love that there are only 2 teaspoons of oil in the dressing, which keeps this salad light and super healthy.

It's surprisingly versatile. Serve it alongside grilled, roasted, or pan-seared proteins, pile it next to burgers, pair it with pizza, or enjoy it as a light meal on its own. It fits in just about anywhere!

It's great for making ahead. If you wait to add the dressing, the salad holds up beautifully in the fridge for one to two days, making it perfect for entertaining or easy meals throughout the week.

It's a little unexpected. Celery and dates might not be a combination you've tried before, but this salad has a way of winning people over quickly. It's a conversation starter... and always a hit!

Dress it up, down, or any which way around. When available, it's really fun to add a scatter of edible flowers, which give this salad a stunning presentation. Add more Napa cabbage, fresh herbs, or even a handful of your favorite greens to stretch the salad to feed a crowd.

I sent the recipe to my sister, Annie, a few weeks ago to test. She dressed it up in her own style and texted a few days later.

Good morning! Steve and I loved the Asian Celery Date Salad…. A Few changes (only because I did not have peanuts or cashews, and also no Napa cabbage) …. I only had green cabbage and macadamia nuts… but still delicious. I also sprinkled a few of the TJ's fried shallots on top… so pretty and tasty too… making it again soon … thank you  😋 

Ingredients You'll Need for This Asian Celery Date Salad

This salad comes together with a handful of fresh, vibrant ingredients and a simple, flavor-packed dressing. Here's a video showing how quickly it comes together:

Here's are the ingredients you'll need:

For the salad:

Celery (with leaves) - To be honest, I've never been a huge celery fan. But in this recipe... well, let's just say celery is the star of the show! Look for fresh, crisp stalks with lots of leafy tops - the leaves add extra flavor, nutrition, and a beautiful, lacy look.

Napa cabbage (or red cabbage)- Adds a soft crunch and lovely volume. Napa cabbage is tender and delicate, while red cabbage brings a bit more crunch and a pop of gorgeous color; both work beautifully. I made mine with Napa cabbage for this post but you can check out Lindsay's video (above) to see how pretty it is with red cabbage!

Green onions (scallions) - Green onions give the salad a bit of mild onion flavor that's not overpowering. Slice the scallions on a sharp diagonal for the prettiest presentation.

Dates (pitted) - There's something wonderful about the combination of crunchy celery and sweet dates. Dates have natural caramel-y sweetness and a soft, chewy texture. I really like the pitted dates from Trader Joe's - they're always soft and fresh. Be sure to look for pitted dates.

Fresh cilantro- Brings a bright, citrusy note that ties everything together. Save a few pretty leaves for garnish! If you're not a fan of cilantro, fresh basil is a delicious alternative. Just wait until right before serving to chop the basil, as it doesn't hold up quite as well as cilantro.

Fresh mint - A pop of pure pizzazz! In combination with the other ingredients, mint really makes this salad sing with its bright, refreshing flavor.

Jalapeño- Adds a gentle pop of flavor without making the salad too spicy (unless you want it to be - just add more!).

For the dressing:

Fresh lime juice -Bright, zesty, and essential for that fresh, vibrant flavor.

Rice vinegar - Just a splash adds a mild tang that complements the lime without being too strong.

Fish sauce - A small amount brings incredible depth and savory umami. I promise it won't taste "fishy," just deliciously balanced!

Honey - A generous squeeze of honey balances all the acidity.

Chili garlic sauce or Sriracha - Adds a hint of heat and complexity (you can adjust to taste). You can find chili garlic sauce in the Asian section of most larger grocery stores. Both have a long shelf life once opened.

Toasted sesame oil - Just a little splash goes a long way, adding a warm, nutty flavor that makes the dressing irresistible.

For the garnish:

Salted cashews or peanuts - For crunch and a savory finish that takes this salad over the top.

Extra cilantro and mint leaves - A simple but beautiful finishing touch.

Fresh, Fabulous & Flavor-Packed!

Whether you're serving it alongside a simple weeknight dinner or adding it to a table full of friends and family, this Asian Celery Date Salad is one of those dishes that will quietly steal the show. It's fresh, vibrant, and addictively delicious!

I think you'll love having a recipe like this in your arsenal… something that comes together easily but feels special, definitely not your ho-hum, everyday-boring salad! And fair warning: don't be surprised if you find yourself going back for "just one more bite" more than a few times!

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Asian Celery Date Salad (Fresh, Crunchy & Irresistible)

Chris Scheuer

This Asian celery date salad is fresh, crunchy and full of bold flavor. With crisp celery, sweet dates, fresh herbs and a vibrant lime-sesame dressing, it's the perfect easy side for any meal.

5 from 3 votes

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 6

Calories 178

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Ingredients

  

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For the dressing:

• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey, more to taste
• ½-1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce or Sriracha, more to taste
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

For the salad:

• 10 medium stalks celery with leaves, sliced ¼-⅓ inch thick on a diagonal (roughly chop leaves)
• ½ medium head Napa cabbage, very thinly sliced (about 4 cups) (or red cabbage)
• 8 medium green onions, thinly sliced on a diagonal
• ½ cup pitted dates, halved lengthwise, then chopped into ¼-inch pieces
• 1 large bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (reserve some of the pretty leaves for garnish)
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced (reserve small, pretty leaves for garnish)
• 2 medium jalapeños, seeds and veins removed, finely chopped

For garnish:

• ½ cup salted cashews or peanuts, more to taste
• fresh cilantro leaves
• small mint leaves

Instructions

 

For the dressing:

1. Combine the lime juice, rice vinegar, fish sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce and sesame oil in a jar.
2. Shake well until fully combined.
3. Taste and adjust, adding more honey for sweetness or chili garlic sauce for extra heat, as desired. Set aside.

For the salad:

1. In a large bowl, combine the celery, cabbage, green onions, dates, cilantro, mint and jalapeños. Toss well to combine.
2. Drizzle with 3-4 tablespoons of the dressing and toss again until lightly coated.
3. Top with cashews and the reserved cilantro and mint leaves.
4. Serve with extra dressing on the side. Enjoy!

Notes

This salad is not spicy as written; the jalapeños just add a fresh pop of flavor. For more heat, leave in some seeds or add extra chili garlic sauce.

Not a fan of cilantro? Fresh basil is a delicious substitute (add just before serving). Look for celery with lots of fresh leaves - they add extra flavor and texture.

Use soft, fresh dates for the best results.

To make-ahead: prep all ingredients and store separately; toss with dressing and add nuts just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 374mgPotassium: 598mgFiber: 4gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 935IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 2mg

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Course: Salad, Side

Cuisine: Asian-inspired