🥬✨ Easy Crunchy Asian Cabbage Slaw with Addictive Sesame Dressing 🥢
Description:
This Easy Crunchy Asian Cabbage Slaw is a vibrant, crisp, and refreshing side dish that pairs beautifully with anything from grilled meats to noodle bowls. It’s tossed in a flavorful, nutty sesame vinaigrette that’s slightly tangy, savory, and a little sweet—truly addictive! Full of texture and color, this slaw is the perfect balance of healthy, delicious, and easy to make.
Ingredients:
For the Slaw:
- ½ medium head green cabbage, thinly shredded (about 4 cups / 280g)
- ¼ medium head red cabbage, thinly shredded (about 2 cups / 140g)
- 2 large carrots, shredded (about 1½ cups / 180g)
- 4–5 scallions, thinly sliced (green and white parts)
- ½ cup (30g) fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup (35g) toasted sliced almonds or cashews
- 2 tablespoons (20g) toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: ½ cup (30g) crunchy chow mein noodles for topping
For the Sesame Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup (60ml) rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) light vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Make the dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, vegetable oil, tamari (or soy sauce), maple syrup (or honey), grated ginger, and minced garlic until well combined. - Prepare the slaw:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, scallions, and cilantro (if using). - Dress the slaw:
Pour the sesame vinaigrette over the cabbage mixture. Toss everything thoroughly so that the veggies are evenly coated. - Add crunch:
Stir in the toasted almonds (or cashews) and sesame seeds. Top with crunchy chow mein noodles just before serving, if using. - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15–20 minutes to let the flavors meld together beautifully.
Notes:
- Shredding tip: Use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for super-thin, even cabbage strips.
- No rice vinegar? Substitute with white wine vinegar plus a pinch of sugar.
- For nut allergies: Swap nuts for roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- The slaw can sit for a few hours — it gets slightly softer but still keeps a great crunch.
Tips:
- Double the dressing if you like it extra saucy — it stores well in the fridge!
- Massage the cabbage briefly with a little salt before dressing if you prefer a slightly softer texture.
- Toast your nuts and sesame seeds for maximum flavor if they aren’t already pre-toasted.
- Customize with extras like edamame, shredded chicken, or crispy tofu for a full meal!
Servings:
Serves 4–6 as a side dish or about 2–3 as a light main.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approximate):
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
(Depending on exact ingredients and portion sizes.)
Benefits:
- High in fiber – supports digestion and keeps you fuller longer.
- Loaded with antioxidants – especially from red cabbage and carrots.
- Healthy fats – thanks to sesame oil and nuts for heart health.
- Naturally gluten-free if using tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Low in refined sugars – sweetened naturally with maple syrup or honey.
Q/A Section:
Q: Can I make this slaw ahead of time?
A: Yes! It holds up well for 1–2 days in the fridge. Just add chow mein noodles right before serving to maintain their crunch.
Q: What proteins pair well with this slaw?
A: Grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, tofu, or tempeh all work beautifully.
Q: How can I make it spicier?
A: Add a teaspoon of Sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
Q: Can I skip the cilantro?
A: Definitely! If you’re not a fan of cilantro, substitute with flat-leaf parsley or simply leave it out.
Q: Is this slaw keto or low-carb?
A: It’s moderately low in carbs, but for a keto version, omit the carrots and chow mein noodles and use a low-carb sweetener instead of honey or maple syrup.
Would you like me to also suggest a protein add-in idea (like an easy ginger-lime grilled chicken) to turn this slaw into a complete meal? 🥢🍗✨