• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Easter Treats
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Ebooks
  • Subscribe

Through The Fibro Fog

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easter Treats
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Ebooks
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easter Treats
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Ebooks
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Published: Jul 9, 2022 by Claire · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases · Leave a Comment

    Pak Choi Salad

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This pak choi salad is light and refreshing, and a delicious side salad to enjoy with Asian style dishes. Very easy to make, it comes together in less than 30 minutes and is vegan, gluten free and made without soy.

    pak choi salad on a grey plate with a brown rim on a blue striped cloth.

    Side salads used to mean one thing, a green salad or perhaps a bit of grated carrot if you were pushing the boat out! But with so many flavours and textures, they can be full of tasty ingredients and not bland at all. Perhaps you may like to see my pear and fennel salad and my kale apple slaw for more ideas!

    This pak choi salad (also known as bok choy or pok choi, amongst other names) uses this tasty Chinese cabbage along with cucumber and celery for a light and refreshing side salad that goes so well with summer picnic food, BBQ food or just your evening meal! It has subtle flavours, but you can easily 'up' the sesame oil and vinegar for something a little punchier.

    Love pak choi? Check out my steamed ginger pak choi recipe for a healthy side!

    Jump to:
    • ⭐ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🥬 Ingredients
    • 📖 Swaps and variations
    • 🔪 Step by step instructions
    • 🥗 Additions to the salad
    • 💭 Recipe tips and notes
    • 📋 Frequently asked questions
    • 🍽 More tasty salads
    • 📖 Recipe

    ⭐ Why you'll love this recipe

    Fresh and light. This bok choy salad is fresh and light, with refreshing greens and cucumber. Perfect for summer!

    Healthy. we have all the greens here, alongside healthy olive oil, nuts and seeds.

    Quick and easy to make. It's simply a case of a bit of chopping, making a dressing and a bit of a toast of the pistachios. Takes just twenty minutes to come together!

    🥬 Ingredients

    pak choi and bowls of pistachios, sesame oil, olive oil, brown sugar, cucumber, celery, green onion, sesame seeds and apple cider vinegar.

    All the ingredients are set out in the recipe card below, but some pointers on a few of them:

    • Pak choi - a type of cabbage, it is also known as bok choy, pok choy or pak choi, depending upon where you live. Choose fresh young pak choi that can be eaten raw.
    • Toasted sesame oil - this is the main flavour of the dressing. I suggest using as high quality as is affordable for you.
    • Olive oil - I suggest using extra virgin olive for its better depth of flavour.
    • Pistachios - be sure to use unsalted as salted wouldn't be good on a salad!

    📖 Swaps and variations

    Swap sesame oil for olive oil. If you are sensitive to sesame (note that it is in the top ten food allergens), then you can use all olive oil instead. I would suggest adding ginger or another herb or spice to the dressing as it may be a little bland otherwise.

    Add in coconut aminos. We don't use soy in this recipe, but I know some of my low histamine readers do well with coconut aminos. Only use if you know they work for you though!

    🔪 Step by step instructions

    A very simple salad, we only have a few steps and all are very easy to do:

    whole and diced pak choi on a wooden board.
    diced celery and cucumber on a wooden board.

    Step 1

    Wash the pak choi and snap off the leaves. Wash well, and discard or cut off any tough parts of the stalk or bruised leaves. Finely dice the leaves and stem on a diagonal (image 1).

    If the pak choi is older and has tough leaves you may wish to blanch them first. This post on how to store, prepare and cook pak choi by Odd Box is helpful.

    Step 2

    Peel the cucumber, then dice along with the celery (image 2).

    Recipe tip: this is a delicate salad with fresh and light flavours. I suggest dicing the vegetables quite finely.

    sesame dressing in a white bowl with a spoon in it.
    pistachios in a black skillet.

    Step 3

    Combine all the ingredients for the sesame dressing, then stir well (image 3). Taste test, and adjust with more sesame oil, vinegar or sugar to preference.

    Step 4

    Crush the pistachios with the back of a spoon, then add to a skillet. Dry toast the nuts (without any oil) on a low heat for a few minutes (image 4). Set aside to cool.

    Step 5

    Combine all the ingredients for the salad, and drizzle on the dressing. Sprinkle on some more sesame seeds and then enjoy!

    🥗 Additions to the salad

    To make the bok choy salad into a main dish for lunch, you can add some cooked rice noodles or ramen noodles.

    Adding shredded cooked chicken is another option.

    💭 Recipe tips and notes

    • Dice the pak choi quite finely. It is best to use young pak choi, but it is still best to dice quite finely, especially the stalks.
    • If the pak choi seems a little tough then you can easily blanch the leaves before use.
    • Adjust the taste of the sesame dressing to preference with more oil or vinegar.
    • Toast the pistachios in a dry skillet, that is, without any oil and just for a few minutes.

    📋 Frequently asked questions

    Can you eat pak choi raw?

    If the pak choi is young (sometimes known as baby bok choy) then it can be eaten raw in salads. Dice finely and enjoy your greens!

    How do you prepare pak choi for a salad?

    Wash the leaves, and dice finely, including the stalks. If the stalk is particularly tough this can be removed. Some people prefer to blanch the leaves, which is also an option.

    How do you toast pistachios?

    Simply add the pistachios to a dry skillet, without any oil. Cook on a low heat for a few minutes, moving around occasionally.

    pak choi salad on a grey plate with pak choi in the background.

    🍽 More tasty salads

    Find flavourful salads to enjoy for a summer lunch or as a side on my salads page, including ideas such as my kale wild rice salad and roasted vegetable pasta salad. Some recent ideas:

    • romaine lettuce halves on a white plate on a blue cloth.
      Air Fryer Romaine Lettuce
    • pesto orzo salad on a white plate next to red apples and a cream striped cloth.
      Pesto Orzo Salad
    • mango cucumber salad in a white bowl next to fresh cilantro leaves.
      Mango Cucumber Salad
    • cucumber beetroot salad on a white plate with a silver spoon next to a bowl of pumpkin seeds.
      Cucumber Beetroot Salad

    I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And please do leave a star rating if you have tried the recipe!

    📖 Recipe

    pak choi salad on a grey plate with a brown rim on a blue striped cloth.

    Pak Choi Salad

    Claire
    This pak choi salad is light and refresh, and perfect as a side for summer meals. Easy to make, with a flavourful sesame dressing. Serves 4 as a side salad.
    5 from 9 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Asian inspired, British
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 129 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pak choi (also known as bok choy)
    • ⅓ cucumber peeled, finely diced into halves
    • 1 celery stick finely diced
    • 1 tablespoon pistachios crushed
    • 1 green onion finely diced

    For the sesame dressing

    • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar adjust amount to preference
    • pinch salt
    • pinch black pepper optional
    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds adjust amount to preference

    For toppings

    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

    Instructions
     

    • Remove the leaves from the pak choi, discarding any bruised leaves or tough parts of the stem. Slice finely on a diagonal.
    • Finely slice the celery and cucumber. I suggest peeling the cucumber first, then dice into rounds, then slice into halves.
    • Make the sesame dressing by combining all the ingredients and stirring well. Taste test, and adjust to preference.
    • Crush the pistachios with the back of a spoon, then heat gently on a low heat in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes.
    • Combine all the ingredients in your serving bowl and sprinkle on some more sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    Notes

    • This is quite a delicate salad, with subtle flavours. Dice the vegetables quite finely, with a sharp knife.
    • If the pak choi is older you may need to blanch the leaves beforehand. Younger leaves can be eaten raw.
    • Adjust the sesame dressing to taste preference with more sesame oil, vinegar or black pepper.
    • Toast the pistachios in a dry skillet, that is, without any oil, on a low heat. Be sure to use unsalted pistachios.
    • Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
     
    Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance (SIGHI) food compatibility list for histamine
    All ingredients score 0 on the SIGHI list, with the exception of:
    • green onion is not rated. You can swap out for white onion if you prefer.
    • sesame (for the oil and seeds), scores 1. Please note that sesame is a potential allergen and should only be consumed if you know you tolerate well. It is unclear whether toasted sesame oil would be higher histamine. Swap put for olive oil if required and add some ginger or herbs for flavour.
    • brown sugar is not rated. You could swap for a little agave or maple syrup.
    • apple cider vinegar scores 1.
    • black pepper scores 2. There is a note, 'Small amounts are tolerated'.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 107mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 375IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @lowhistaminekitchen or tag #lowhistaminekitchen!
    Tweet
    Share
    Pin
    Share

    More Easy & Flavourful Salads

    • tahini kale salad in a white bowl next to red apples and a glass jar of pumpkin seeds.
      Tahini Kale Salad
    • roasted beetroot broccoli salad on a white plate next to beets and a beige striped cloth.
      Beetroot Broccoli Salad
    • kale apple slaw in a light brown bowl next to red apples and salad servers.
      Kale Apple Slaw
    • pear and fennel salad on a white plate with a gold rim next to pears and salad servers.
      Pear and Fennel Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I’m Claire. After a diagnosis of MCAS I began to follow a low histamine diet, which has helped me manage my symptoms. Here I hope to show that a restrictive diet can still be full of flavourful meals, and help you enjoy being creative in the kitchen.

    More about me →

    Easter Treats

    • cardamom apple fritters on a wooden board.
      Cardamom Apple Fritters
    • honey spelt cookies on a wire rack.
      Honey Spelt Cookies
    • maple syrup flapjacks on parchment paper on a wire rack.
      Maple Syrup Flapjacks
    • cardamom oatmeal cookies
      Cardamom Oatmeal Cookies
    • blackberry oatmeal cookies next to a bowl of blackberries.
      Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies
    • oatmeal bliss balls on a wooden board.
      Oatmeal Bliss Balls

    Featured On

    company names including Parade, Feed Feed, yahoo, finding vegan and food gawker.

    Popular Recipes

    • creamy paprika chicken in a light grey skillet.
      Creamy Paprika Chicken
    • beetroot butternut squash salad in a cream bowl.
      Butternut and Beetroot Salad
    • pesto ricotta pasta in a light grey bowl on a beige cloth with a for on it next to a glass jar of pesto.
      Ricotta Pesto Pasta
    • cooked frozen cauliflower rice garnished with parsley in a cream bowl on a blue cloth.
      How to Cook Frozen Cauliflower Rice

    As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Please see my disclaimer. I am not a doctor or healthcare professional. All posts are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice in any way.

    veda ambassador logo.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact Me

    Copyright © 2023 Through The Fibro Fog