Asian Cabbage Salad (Printable Version)
Crunchy cabbage, peppers and carrot tossed in sesame-ginger dressing for a vibrant, quick side or light lunch.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 cups shredded green cabbage
02 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
03 - 1 large carrot, julienned
04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 4 green onions, thinly sliced
06 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
→ Dressing
07 - 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
08 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
11 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
→ Toppings
14 - 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
15 - 1/2 cup roasted peanuts or cashews, roughly chopped
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, add shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, julienned carrot, red bell pepper, green onions, and fresh cilantro leaves.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chili flakes until the mixture is homogeneous.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped peanuts or cashews over the dressed salad.
05 - Serve immediately for peak crunch, or allow to rest for 10 minutes to enhance flavor integration.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Crunchy veggies and a zingy dressing liven up any meal with almost no effort.
- I love that you can prep everything ahead so the flavors deepen and the veggies stay vibrant.
02 -
- If you add the nuts too early, they go soft, so save them for just before serving.
- Letting the salad sit for a few minutes after dressing actually helps the flavors blend—but don’t overdo it if you crave maximum crunch.
03 -
- An extra minute to toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan lifts the salad’s flavor and aroma.
- Taste the dressing before pouring and tweak the acid or sweetener until it’s tangy to your liking.