This Asian Cabbage Salad is one of my favorites to whip up and keep in my fridge. You’ll find several Asian-style salads on Our Best Bites and I love them all for different reasons. Here’s a love list for this particular Asian Cabbage Salad:
- It’s flexible. You can toss anything in it that you think would be good. Whatever veggies you happen to have on hand. It’s one of those ‘clean out the fridge’ salads.
- It keeps well. Lettuce salads get wilted and gross the longer they sit, but this salad only gets better, which makes it a great option for a party, potluck, or picnic.
- It’s easy to size up or down. Make a huge batch or just enough for two.
- It’s quick. It starts with a pre-packaged bag of coleslaw, so you save time chopping. Plus you can prepare everything ahead of time and just throw it together when you’re ready.
- It’s healthy. News flash: Not all salads are healthy. This one is full of fresh vegetables and the dressing has very little oil (pretty rare) so it’s very low-calorie.
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
Salad
- Bagged coleslaw mix – Just shredded cabbage or a shredded cabbage and carrot mix. No dressing needed!
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Sugar snap peas – You could also use snow peas if you enjoy them.
- Red bell pepper
- Red onion
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Toasted almonds – Slivered or sliced.
- Cooked chicken – Optional
Dressing
- Neutral oil of choice – Light olive oil or canola oil are great options.
- Apple cider vinegar – Use a good quality vinegar with the mother, like Bragg’s.
- Seasoned rice wine vinegar – Regular would be ok, too. Seasoned rice wine vinegar just has a little added sugar and salt to intensify the flavor.
- Granulated sugar – Or the equivalent of a sugar substitute.
- Salt
- Soy sauce
- Garlic – You can use a fresh clove of garlic or garlic powder.
- Black pepper
- Sesame oil
How to Make and Asian Cabbage Salad
- I love a good shortcut salad, so this one starts out with bagged shredded cabbage. Then you’ll add a bunch of fresh vegetables to it. I use celery, bell pepper, onion, cucumber, and snap peas but you can literally toss anything in here you like! Just toss all of the salad ingredients together, and this part can totally be done ahead of time.
- The super simple dressing has only a small amount of oil in it and it can be made ahead of time as well. When it’s ready, just toss everything together. It always feels like there’s not quite enough dressing at first, but the trick is to let this salad sit and marinate for about 20 minutes or so (longer won’t hurt it either!) and it all comes together. Finish it off with some toasted almonds and sesame seeds right before serving.
Storing and Other Tips
- Store the finished salad, dressed and all, in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 3-5 days for best results. The cabbage and veggies stay crunchy for several days/
- If you’d rather, you could always store components separately and assemble single servings as needed. But this salad is really great once it’s had a chance to sit and chill for a bit!
- You can eat this plain, as a great side dish, or add chicken to it for a main-dish meal. I love it with grilled Asian BBQ Chicken!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This salad is great for potlucks and parties because you can assemble it completely and just let it hang out in the fridge until needed.
How do I toast the almonds?
You can toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they’re golden and fragrant. You can also toast sesame seeds this way if desired!
Is the dressing spicy?
It is not, but you could add some red pepper to the mix if you’d like a little spice.
Asian Cabbage Salad
An incredibly light, but filling cabbage-based salad filled with fresh veggies.
Servings cups (4-6 main dish salads or 8-10 side salads)
Ingredients
- 1 14-16 oz bag coleslaw mix
- 1 rib celery sliced
- ½ cucumber sliced
- 1 small handful sugar snap peas about 20 baby ones
- ½ red bell pepper sliced
- ¼ of a small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- ⅓ cup slivered or sliced toasted almonds
- Optional: 1 ½ cups chicken cooked, shredded or diced
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- ¼ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar or equivalent of sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or one small garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
Instructions:
- Begin by making dressing. Combine all ingredients in a sealed jar and shake Store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Place all salad ingredients in a bowl
- For best results, pour on the dressing and toss to coat 20 minutes before serving. When you pour the dressing on you might think it’s not quite enough, but just wait. When it sits and marinates, it combines with the veggies and draws out liquid and there will be more than plenty of dressing after it sits.
- Right before serving mix in toasted almonds and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Store the finished salad, dressed and all, in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 3-5 days for best results. The cabbage and veggies stay crunchy for several days/
- If you’d rather, you could always store components separately and assemble single servings as needed. But this salad is really great once it’s had a chance to sit and chill for a bit!
- You can eat this plain, as a great side dish, or add chicken to it for a main-dish meal. I love it with grilled Asian BBQ Chicken!
- Nutrition information was calculated without chicken, but includes salad and dressing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 79kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 309mg, Potassium: 148mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 242IU, Vitamin C: 24mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 1mg
Calories: 79kcal
Cost: $8
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Questions & Reviews
Oh no Brooke! lol Your comment made me laugh- thanks for warning everyone else! haha You'll have to try it again with chicken because it's awesome!
Alert. Alert. Don't think that this delicious salad might be good if you substitute canned salmon for chicken. I'm pretty sure canned salmon is never good and that Dr. Oz lied to me. I thought it might be ok and I was totally wrong. It was so sad because the rest of the salad all looked and smelled delicous until I botched it with the fish. Just a warning that I'm sure no one else would even think of doing. I am, however, the worst cook in America! Here is a quote from my husband "It tastes like making out with a trout!" But I will try again using chicken this time!
Made this last night for dinner and it was soooo yummy! Just had the leftovers for lunch. Thanks again for a great recipe!
I am eating this right now after craving it all day yesterday… so worth it 🙂
This was phenomenal! Made it this evening–SO delicious. Added a tiny bit of ginger and sriachi as well. Yummy!
I made this salad last night for 8 people and it was a big hit with all of them.
Tonight I’m making the black beans.
Very nice blog!
I tried this tonight and kept wondering if I needed more oil… and was a little worried… and it was amazing! Thanks for the low fat recipe… I can’t wait to eat it tomorrow for leftovers.
Matthew- good to have you here. What an awesome husband you are to be cooking away while your wife is gone! I know lots of guys who would order pizza every day, lol. Love a guy who knows his way around a kitchen!
Courtney- I hope Ryan likes it too!
This looks like a good summertime meal during this hot weather. Even Ryan said he’d try it.
I have not commented before but Jason Chong told me about this blog a few weeks ago and I have really enjoyed it. My wife and baby have been out of town for weeks and I have been trying all kinds of things to impress her when she returns. The spicy chicken salad and faux rotisserie chicken are favs so far. I am going to also be trying Italian burgers and this salad soon. And definitely your crock pot-to-grill ribs. I am not the baker in my house so I anticipate when the wife returns I will be trying some of the desserts here as we. Thanks for your efforts, they are very much appreciated!
Yeah, I’m with Kat! Where’s my groupie blinkie?!?! You know I’ll proudly be sporting it on BBC!
Well, since you asked…. Yes, I was actually out of town. 😛 Looks yummy! I always love salads in the summer but get sick of the same old thing so we’ll have to give this one a try!
Hey Sara….I am still here checking out your blog. I just forget to comment on it. Everything looks so yummy! I just wish the kids and hubby were back in town so I have someone to cook for again.
T
Hi! Love the blog (found it via BC) and I came here cause I had a hankering for fajitas…but alas, I don’t have 4 hours to wait…so fajitas tomorrow it is.
Molly- I haven’t had any problems finding won ton wrappers around here (although I have a whole list of other ingredients they need to start importing to Idaho!) I usually buy groceries at Albertsons or Wally World and they both have them. You shop at Winco, right? I know, amazing the details I know about your life;) They should have them too. Are you looking in the right spot? They’re usually in the produce section, either next to the pre-packed salads and stuff, or buy the weird Asian Ingredients- but almost always on the wall in that refrigerated section somewhere.
Eric- yes, this is a greeat source of fiber 🙂
Mmm…. I thought this salad was delicious!
im new to your blog. and i love it. im so excited to become some who can walk into the kitchen and walk out with something other than cereal or easy mac for the boyfriend and myself to eat. 🙂 yay. thanks a ton! 🙂
This sounds very yummy. I have loved all the recipes from this site that I’ve tried! (I’m partial to the desserts, but I’ve made a few other things too–the fajita marinade was a big hit). What’s even better, is that my hubby has liked everything I’ve made from your recipes. Thanks!
I’m excited to try this, it sounds so yummy! I also check your blog often, I LOVE it!!!
Sara, where do you buy your wonton wrappers here in Boise? I can never find them. Help! Also, thanks for checking my blog, its great!
I’m here-been checking your blog each morning-it’s my daily ritual to see what’s cooking in your kitchen! I like the looks of this recipe-a nice variation from the recipe that I already have. Yummy Yummy! Ü
I’m here-been checking your blog each morning-it’s my daily ritual to see what’s cooking in your kitchen! I like the looks of this recipe-a nice variation from the recipe that I already have. Yummy Yummy! Ü
looks like a great source of fiber…
I just tried the black beans…YUM! Thanks- I’ve passed this little treat (your blog) on to many.
Love your blog! My daughter got me hooked on it. I really appreciate you both sharing your knowledge and expertise with all of us. Just saying hi and thanks!
I LOVE your blog! We have just made the cake mix cookies so far, but I want to try everything! I love the pictures and instructions~thanks for a great website. Keep it up!
Stephanie–We’re actually working on some buttons that people can put on their blogs/websites if they’re interested. Hey, Sara, get on that! 😉 Also, do you have just regular ol’ white vinegar? You could replace the rice vinegar with that if you want.
Ashley–I TOTALLY get how scary it can be, especially if yeast didn’t work last time. And, like you said, it’s a huge time and ingredient investment. Check out the tips for yeast breads section, make sure your yeast is fresh (like I would buy a new jar of bread machine yeast and then keep it in your freezer), and then just make sure you’re not distracted. Duh, right? Yeah, well, you should’ve seen the batch of yeast dough I totally ruined the other night when I was trying to do something else at the same time! 🙂 I might actually try doing another run with the breadsticks because the dough is a little easier, so if you’re successful with those, you might be less scared going into the orange roll-making. GOOD LUCK!!! Email us if you run into any problems along the way!
Both of you: We’ve said it before, but THANK YOU for your nice comments and all your support! You guys are what makes this fun! 🙂
Yeast troubles…I didn’t touch yeast for about four years because I couldn’t get anything to rise. Then I tried again this month and I have had no rising problems. Maybe there was something wrong with my yeast? Or can something else in the ingredient list kill it? Or was it my methods? I wish I knew so that I could keep it from happening again.
I am still here and still loving your blog! I’m the one who posted about having trouble with the yeast on those bread sticks. Next I am DYING to try your homemade rolls and orange rolls, but the yeast is scaring me! I’d hate to spend all that time on them and have them turn out not so great like my bread sticks did. Any ideas?
I finally signed up on Google Reader and happened to get this right when I was trying to figure out what to do with my head of cabbage this week. This looks so good! The only question I have is, I think I only have cider vinegar. Any suggestions?
Oh, and do you have a way for me to put your ad/logo on my blog? I put your link in my list of blogs, but if I can put the image it would get seen better. Keep up the yummy work!