This easy-to-make cabbage salad recipe combines white and red cabbage, carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds with a homemade Asian dressing. It's the perfect way to add some crunchy freshness to any spread. Whether it's part of an appetizer or a main course, this colorful salad is sure to be a hit!
Why this crunchy cabbage salad recipe works
Whenever I see any vegetables on sale at the store, I love to stock up and get creative with the veggies. When I buy a lot of mushrooms, I'll make some creamy mushroom soup and a mushroom quiche.
This time around, there was a huge sale on carrots, so I knew I wanted to make a gluten-free carrot cake and some sort of salad for dinner. So I decided to make this cabbage salad with shredded carrots and a homemade Asian dressing!
This cabbage salad combines two types of cabbage, a handful of carrots, some green onions, and sesame seeds. The colors make for a beautiful presentation!
Making this crunchy cabbage salad is pretty simple, too. It's a light side dish that pairs perfectly with any main course!
This particular cabbage salad recipe has a trick - you need to soak the cabbage with salt for almost an hour. I had previously read about the recipe in this blog but suddenly I realized why my cabbage salad was too firm every time I made it. What you want is for the cabbage to be tender so that you can actually enjoy it and not feel like you’re eating wood! Other recipes that I had read were doing it the opposite way – meaning they would make the whole salad and then let it sit with the dressing to make it tenderer. Either way is good but I prefer this version.
Tips for making the best cabbage salad
Here are some of the best tips for making this delicious cabbage salad with Asian dressing...
Add a source of protein
This cabbage salad pairs great with grilled chicken or tofu for a complete meal.
Buy precut veggies
Running low on time? Precut vegetables from the grocery store can help you make this salad in no time. I sometimes buy shredded carrots and cabbage to make meal prep much easier.
Add texture
To add some texture, top your cabbage salad with crunchy seeds, wonton crackers, or roasted nuts (peanuts or cashews would taste amazing!).
Let the flavors come together
If you can plan ahead, make the dressing and chop all of your salad ingredients in advance and let them sit together for a few hours before serving. This will give the flavors time to meld and create an even tastier salad!
Serve with some grains
If you want to bulk up this side dish, serve it with some cooked quinoa, wild rice, or even some couscous. Any of those options pair nicely with the red cabbage salad.
FAQs
Here are some questions people often ask about how to make this crunchy cabbage salad recipe...
Is this salad vegan?
Yes, this cabbage salad is completely vegan! It does not contain any mayonnaise as most cabbage salads do, such as a coleslaw salad.
Can I add other vegetables to the recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite veggies. A few good additions could be bell peppers, celery, or even some radishes for a bit of spice.
Sometimes, I like to add some extra herbs like chopped cilantro and parsley.
Why do I need to soak the cabbage in salt?
Soaking the cabbage in salt will help break down its tough texture and make it more tender. Just enough so it's still enjoyable and crunchy and doesn't feel like you're eating wood!
What other dressings can I use?
The Asian dressing gives this salad a unique flavor, but if you want something different, try making your own vinaigrette or drizzle some olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the top.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, it's easy to prepare the salad in advance and store it in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Just keep the dressing separate until it's ready to be served.
Make this Asian cabbage salad today!
This cabbage salad is a great way to add some crunchy freshness and color to any meal. It's vegan, easy-to-make, and you can customize it with your favorite veggies! Plus, the homemade Asian dressing gives this recipe an extra special flavor that everyone will love.
Try making this delicious dish today – I promise you won't be disappointed!
More salad recipes:
Want to try a few more salad recipes at home? Check out some of these delicious treats:
Simple Cabbage Salad With Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 white cabbage
- 1 small red cabbage
- 2 carrots shredded
- 2 green onions cut thinly
- 2 tablespoon sesame
For the dressing:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 tablespoon date syrup (Silan)
- 2 tablespoon demerara sugar
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- A pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- To prepare the cabbage salad, begin by thinly slicing the cabbage and placing it in a large bowl that is easy to mix in.
- Add salt to the bowl and mix it well, using your hands if necessary.
- Allow the cabbage to sit for an hour before straining off any excess water.
- Add the carrots, green onions, and sesame to the bowl.
- Mix all the dressing ingredients in a separate small bowl and pour over the salad.
- Serve and enjoy!
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