Asian Cabbage Salad (Printable)
Vibrant cabbage and vegetables with a sesame-ginger dressing, ready in 20 minutes.
# 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 Cook:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together the shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro until evenly combined.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chili flakes until the mixture is emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the mixed vegetables and gently toss until all ingredients are thoroughly coated.
04 - Finish with a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and chopped peanuts or cashews if desired.
05 - Serve promptly for maximum freshness, or allow to rest for 10 minutes to let flavors develop.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together faster than you can decide what takeout to order—seriously, minimal chopping and no cooking needed.
- The punchy dressing and satisfying crunch make it a go-to recipe I crave for both lazy lunches and lively picnics.
02 -
- Once, I chopped the veggies too early and the cabbage wilted by dinnertime—prep just before serving keeps the salad lively.
- Tossing with clean hands coats everything more thoroughly than utensils, even if it’s a little messy (and fun).
03 -
- If the cabbage tastes a little bitter, a sprinkle of salt and a quick massage before dressing works wonders.
- A few drops of lime at the end can make the flavors sparkle, especially if your veggies feel flat.