Asian Cabbage Salad (Printable Version)

Crunchy cabbage with sesame-ginger dressing, cashews, and fresh cilantro. Ready in 15 minutes.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups shredded green cabbage
02 - 2 cups shredded red cabbage
03 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
04 - 3 green onions, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

→ Nuts & Seeds

06 - 1/3 cup roasted cashews or peanuts, roughly chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
09 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili sauce, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded green and red cabbage, julienned carrot, sliced green onions, and fresh cilantro.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha until well blended and emulsified.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all vegetables are evenly coated.
04 - Add the chopped roasted nuts and toasted sesame seeds to the dressed salad, tossing gently to incorporate just before serving.
05 - Serve immediately to maintain maximum crunchiness, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to develop and meld together.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It stays crisp for hours, so you can prep it early without worrying about wilted greens.
  • The sesame ginger dressing clings to every shred of cabbage, giving you flavor in every bite.
  • It works as a side or a full meal if you toss in some protein.
  • You probably have most of these ingredients already sitting in your pantry.
02 -
  • Do not add the nuts and seeds until right before serving, or they will lose their crunch and turn chewy.
  • If you shred the cabbage too thick, the dressing will slide off instead of clinging to each piece.
  • Taste the dressing before pouring it on, you might want more lime or a touch more honey depending on your mood.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline or the slicing blade on your food processor to shred the cabbage quickly and evenly.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a few minutes, the flavor is so much better than store bought toasted ones.
  • If you cannot find toasted sesame oil, regular sesame oil works but the flavor will be much milder and less nutty.
  • For a nut free version, skip the cashews and double the sesame seeds, you will still get plenty of crunch and flavor.
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