Asian Chopped Salad – Low-Carb, Keto-Friendly

I used to think I had to skip crunchy Asian salads once I cut sugar and soy. Turns out, you don’t have to give up the texture bomb or that sweet-nutty dressing vibe—you just have to hack it.

This version? No blood sugar spike, no bloating, and no hidden carbs from sugary sauces or soy-laced dressings. It’s crisp, colorful, and totally meal-prep friendly. Oh, and you won’t miss the noodles.

Why This One Works So Well

• No lettuce slime. Using cabbage instead of greens means this actually holds up in the fridge for days.
• Sweet taste, no sugar crash. That dressing? It’s all about monk fruit honey, coconut aminos, and sesame oil. You get flavor without kicking yourself out of ketosis.
• Crunch factor is elite. Between the cabbage, bell pepper, nuts, and edamame (optional), this gives serious texture.

Ingredients That Kept It Keto

• Green + red cabbage (3 cups each) – Crunchy base with fiber, not fluff.
• Julienned carrot (1 medium) – Yes, carrots have a few more carbs, but this small amount keeps flavor and color up without wrecking your numbers.
• Red bell pepper (1 medium) – Adds sweetness and crunch for just a couple net carbs.
• Edamame, shelled and cooked (⅔ cup) – Totally optional. I use it when I need a little plant-based protein hit.
• Cilantro + green onions (⅓ cup each) – Adds zing and freshness. Swap cilantro for Thai basil if that’s more your jam.
• Peanuts (⅓ cup, chopped) – Classic crunch. You can sub with almonds, cashews, or even sunflower seeds for nut-free.
• Keto Asian dressing – Mine’s made with:
  • Toasted sesame oil
  • Coconut aminos (instead of soy sauce)
  • Monk fruit “honey” or allulose syrup
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Minced garlic and ginger
  • Red pepper flakes + sea salt

Keto Swaps That Actually Work

Swap	Why It Works	What Changes
Cashews for peanuts	Still crunchy, slightly sweeter	Slight bump in carbs
Snap peas for edamame	Still green and crisp	Lower soy, similar net carbs
Thai basil for cilantro	Same bold flavor profile	Less polarizing for cilantro-haters
Allulose syrup for monk fruit “honey”	Smooth and zero-GI	Slightly less “sticky” dressing

What I Got Wrong

What Went Wrong	Why It Happens	How to Fix It
Dressing too thin	Used only lime juice, no oil	Add sesame oil for body
Got soggy next day	Mixed peanuts in too soon	Add nuts right before eating
Too sweet	Overdid sweetener	Start small, taste and adjust

How I Make It (Step-by-Step)

1. Mix base veggies. In a big bowl, toss together shredded cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, edamame (if using), green onions, and cilantro.
2. Make the dressing. Whisk together 2 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tbsp monk fruit honey or allulose syrup, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
3. Dress + toss. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss like crazy until well coated.
4. Finish + serve. Right before serving, sprinkle chopped peanuts on top for crunch.

Tricks That Made This Work Better

• I use pre-shredded cabbage and julienned carrots from the store—zero shame.
• I double the dressing and store it in a jar to use throughout the week.
• I keep the salad base and the toppings separate so nothing gets soggy.

Keeping It Keto-Friendly All Week

• Fridge: Holds for 3–5 days if you don’t add the nuts and herbs until serving.
• Freezer: Don’t freeze this one—the texture goes to mush.
• Portioning Tip: I divide the mix into 6–8 mason jars (nuts + dressing on the side) for easy grab-and-go lunches.

Can I Eat This on Keto? (Yes, Here’s Why)

• What about the carrots? In small amounts like this, they’re totally fine. We’re talking ~1 net carb per serving.
• Soy concern? Sub snap peas or just skip the edamame.
• Is coconut aminos really better than soy sauce? Yep. It’s gluten-free, lower in sodium, and won’t spike blood sugar the way some soy sauces might.

Nutrition Facts

Macro	Amount
Calories	102 kcal
Total Fat	6.9g
• Saturated Fat	1.1g
Total Carbs	8.4g
• Fiber	3.9g
• Net Carbs	4.5g
Protein	4.6g
Sugar	2.8g (mostly natural)
Sodium	~290mg

Check out More Recipes:

• Low Carb Keto Almond Flour Recipe
• Low Carb Keto Alfredo Sauce
• Low Carb Keto Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
• Low Carb Keto Lupini Beans Recipe