Description
A quick, crunchy, and tangy cabbage slaw with a nutty sesame dressing that stays crisp for days. Perfect for meal prep, side dishes, or adding to tacos and sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head green cabbage (about 2–3 lbs / 900g-1.3kg), cored and sliced into thin strips
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3–4 stalks green onions (scallions), thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt (for salting cabbage)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (unseasoned)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- Optional: ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Place the sliced cabbage in a large bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Toss to coat and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Drain the cabbage in a colander and squeeze firmly with your hands to remove as much excess water as possible.
- While the cabbage rests, shred the carrots using a box grater, slice the red onion thinly, and slice the green onions diagonally.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the honey is dissolved and the mixture is emulsified.
- Return the squeezed cabbage to the large bowl. Add the shredded carrots, red onion, and green onions.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss thoroughly with tongs or a large spoon until evenly coated.
- Let the slaw sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Do not skip salting and squeezing the cabbage; this is crucial for preventing a watery slaw and ensuring it stays crunchy. The slaw tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours as the flavors meld. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Do not freeze or reheat this dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 2
Keywords: cabbage slaw, sesame dressing, quick salad, meal prep, vegan side dish, gluten-free, crunchy salad, healthy slaw