Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad

If you're looking for a light and refreshing appetizer, you'll love this Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad. Its mild flavor makes it the perfect side dish to pair with stir-fries or stews.

Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad is made with tender spinach and crunchy peanuts tossed in a ginger vinegar dressing. It's a simple, nutritious dish that's perfect for everyday meals. The recipe is easy to follow, and the ingredients are commonly found in most kitchens.

1. About Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad

Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad is a traditional northern dish that differs from many Western spinach salads. In this Chinese version, the spinach is briefly blanched, giving it a tender and fresh texture. Combined with crunchy peanuts and a tangy oil-vinegar dressing, it’s a perfectly refreshing appetizer that stimulates your appetite and pairs well with a variety of main courses.

2.How to Choose Spinach

For Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad, there's no need to use a specific variety of spinach—regular spinach works just fine. The key is to select fresh spinach. Here are a few tips for picking the best spinach:

Look for spinach with a rich, dark green color and a glossy sheen; this indicates freshness.

Choose spinach with fully extended, thick leaves that are deep green and shiny—this is a sign of high-quality spinach.

3.Peanuts

In China, people often use fresh, skin-on peanuts, which are deep-fried and then paired with vegetables. The fried peanuts are crunchy, aromatic, and slightly warm, making them incredibly tasty—sometimes they’re even seasoned with vinegar on their own.

For a more homestyle version, I opt for boiled peanuts. Boiled peanuts have a softer texture and are easy to chew, and I find their flavor quite enjoyable as well.

4.Can Spinach Be Prepared in Advance?

There's no need to prepare spinach in advance. It's a quick-cooking vegetable that's simple to handle, so it's best to prepare it fresh on the day you plan to eat it. If prepared too early and not stored properly, the spinach might lose its flavor or its vibrant color.

5.Ingredients and Substitutes

To make this Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad, you'll need the following ingredients:

Spinach

Peanuts

Salt

Garlic

Soy sauce

Olive oil

Sesame oil

Vinegar

Oyster sauce

If you need substitutes, here are some options:

Peanuts: You can use cashews or almonds for a different nutty flavor.

Olive oil: Any light vegetable oil can be used in place of olive oil.

Oyster sauce: A vegetarian oyster sauce or soy sauce with a bit of sugar can be used as a substitute.

6.How to Enjoy Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad

Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad is a cold appetizer. In Chinese, it's called a "liangcai," which literally means "cold dish." In a restaurant, it’s typically served before the main course. At home, it’s usually enjoyed alongside the main dish, staple foods like rice or noodles, and soup.

7.More Delicious Chinese Appetizers

Cold Bean Sprout Salad

Glass Noodles Salad

Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) 

Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Let’s make this delicious Chinese Spinach and Peanut Salad together!