Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

4.96 from 71 votes

Total 20 minutes minutes

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Mouthwatering Asian slaw recipe with red cabbage, green cabbage, carrots, and quinoa in a sweet and savory sesame dressing. It always disappears fast!

Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (1)

Asian cabbage slaw salad

Whether it’s a summer cookout, a potluck, or meal prepped lunches, Asian cabbage salad is as delicious as it is nutritious and loved by everyone. No one can resist tender crisp cabbage in a sesame ginger slaw dressing.

Just like my classic homemade coleslaw recipe, Asian coleslaw is made with simple, everyday produce, which makes it accessible, customizable, and super budget-friendly.

Enjoy Chinese coleslaw as an entree for lunch or dinner – or as a side dish for any occasion. It travels well and can be dressed moments before serving.

Ingredients you'll need

Ingredient amounts are listed in the full printable recipe below.

  • shredded red cabbage - Also called purple cabbage. This adds so much color to Asian slaw.
  • shredded green cabbage - Use green cabbage for a firmer texture or Napa cabbage for softer textured Asian slaw.
  • cooked quinoa - Here’s an unexpected but welcome ingredient that adds nutrients, texture, and volume to Asian slaw. I enjoy making Instant Pot quinoa because it makes itself while I make the slaw.
  • carrots - Any color and variety will work for this recipe to add color, texture, flavor, and nutrients.
  • cilantro - Use chopped fresh parsley or Thai basil, if desired.
  • cashews - Adds a nutty flavor and hearty texture to cabbage slaw.
  • sesame seeds - Use black or white sesame seeds.
  • green onions - Use the stalk and tops of green onions.

Asian slaw dressing ingredients

You'll love how easy it is to make restaurant quality dressing out of a few simple pantry ingredients. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory you expect from a dressing for Asian slaw.

  • rice vinegar - I recommend unseasoned rice vinegar because it's sodium free and sugar free. You can always adjust salt and sugar later.
  • soy sauce - This adds so much savory flavor and the salt adds the perfect balanced flavor.
  • fresh ginger root - Freshly grated ginger is best for ginger dressing, but ginger powder would work if used in very small amounts.
  • fresh garlic - A microplane grater is my favorite way of finely grating garlic for dressing.
  • maple syrup - Or honey, or agave nectar, or preferred sweetener.
  • sesame oil - I prefer toasted sesame oil for its flavor depth.
  • extra virgin olive oil - Or olive oil blend will work just fine.
  • black pepper and salt - to taste

If you like your Asian slaw to have a little kick, feel free to add a little heat like Sriracha, or chili paste, or cayenne pepper in small amounts once the dressing is blended.

How to make this recipe

Ingredient amounts are listed in the full printable recipe below.

Toast the cashews and sesame seeds in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes, then cool completely. Whisk or blend sesame ginger dressing ingredients. Cover and refrigerate.

Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (2)
Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (3)

Combine Asian slaw ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, pour dressing over slaw ingredients and toss to coat.

Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (4)
Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (5)

Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container.

Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (6)

Recipe tips

Save time by using pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix. Or shred whole cabbage a day or two in advance using a food processor fitted with the slicing blade.

If adding cooked quinoa, allow it to cool completely before adding it to the slaw because it allows the moisture to evaporate and won't stick together. Even better if you can make it a day ahead.

If you like crispy cabbage slaw, serve immediately after dressing. For softer slaw, add the dressing, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate 2-24 hours before serving.

Recipe variations

Turn Chinese coleslaw into a Thai-inspired recipe by substituting the sesame ginger dressing with a mild spicy peanut sauce.

Add proteins like Instant pot shredded chicken, pork, shrimp, tofu, or edamame beans and make a meal out of cabbage coleslaw.

Swap the quinoa with other grains like Instant Pot brown rice, barley, or farro.

Add other vegetables to Asian slaw like snow peas, snap peas, bell peppers, daikon, and any other crunchy veggies you'd like to add.

What to serve with Asian slaw

  • Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
  • Instant Pot Pulled Pork
  • Air Fryer Whole Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
  • Zucchini Quinoa Fritters
  • Fish Tacos
Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (7)

More Asian recipes we love

  • Thai Cucumber Salad
  • Vegan Lo Mein Noodles
  • Vegan Thai Coconut Chickpea Curry
  • Sesame Kale Noodles
  • Vegan Thai Lentil Chickpea Curry

📖 Recipe

Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (8)

Asian Slaw with Sesame Ginger Dressing

Mouthwatering coleslaw with red cabbage, carrots, and quinoa in a sweet and savory Asian slaw dressing. This salad always disappears fast!

Prep TimePrep Time: 20 minutes mins

Total timeTotal Time: 20 minutes mins

Yield 8 1-cup servings

Author Traci Antonovich

4.96 from 71 votes

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Ingredients

Slaw ingredients

  • cup Cashews chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds black or white
  • 3 cups Red Cabbage ⅓ pound shredded
  • 3 cups Napa Cabbage or Green Cabbage ⅓ pound shredded
  • 1 cup Cooked Quinoa
  • 1 cup Carrots ¼ pound shredded
  • ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro chopped
  • 2 Green Onions thinly sliced

Sesame ginger dressing ingredients (yield ⅔ cup)

  • ¼ cup Unseasoned Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup or preferred sweetener
  • 2 teaspoons Soy Sauce or Tamari
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger finely grated
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tablespoons Sesame Oil light or dark
  • Sea Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • To toast CASHEWS and SESAME SEEDS via oven or stovetop:

    OVEN: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place nuts and seeds on a baking sheet and bake 3-5 minutes until toasted.

    STOVETOP: Place nuts and seeds in a small skillet over medium heat and heat about 3 minutes until toasted, stirring as needed

    Transfer to a plate to cool completely. Cover and store at room temperature until ready to serve.

  • To make the slaw, combine CABBAGE, cooked QUINOA, CARROTS, CILANTRO, and GREEN ONIONS in a large mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to dress and serve.

  • To make the dressing, combine RICE VINEGAR, MAPLE SYRUP, SOY SAUCE, GINGER, and GARLIC in a mixing bowl. Slowly drizzle in OLIVE OIL and SESAME OIL, and whisk or blend until well-combined. Add SALT and PEPPER to taste.

  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to dress and serve.

  • To serve, add toasted nuts and seeds to the salad. Add the dressing and toss to combine.

  • Store dressed slaw in an airtight container up to 24 hours. Non-dressed slaw can be stored up to 5 days.

Final step

Click stars to vote. Please visit 'Comments' below for reviews.

4.96 from 71 votes

Video

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Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 304mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3201IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian

Diet Low Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Easy Asian Slaw Recipe (Asian Cabbage Salad) - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›

Technically, coleslaw involves cabbage, whether green, red or napa, while the category of slaws can include all kinds of chopped or shredded crunchy vegetables. The two words are used interchangeably for the most part however.

What salad is made from shredded raw cabbage with mayonnaise as a dressing? ›

Most people refer to sliced or shredded raw cabbage coated with mayo- or vinegar-based dressing as coleslaw (or just slaw).

Why is coleslaw not called cabbage salad? ›

However cold your coleslaw may be, you are wise to spell it coleslaw. The word comes from a Dutch word (koolsla) that combines the Dutch words kool, meaning "cabbage," and sla, meaning "salad." Etymology is the main course.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

What shreds cabbage to make coleslaw? ›

With the right method, shredding cabbage is very simple and doesn't require any fancy knife skills or know-how. Check out three of the best methods for shredding cabbage, including with a knife, a mandoline, and a food processor.

Why do you soak shredded cabbage? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water.

What is KFC's coleslaw made of? ›

There are only 3 vegetables: You can buy a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw and finely chop that, if you prefer. But keep in mind that true KFC Coleslaw only contains green cabbage, carrots, and onions, so don't use the packaged cabbage that has red cabbage or any herbs.

Should you salt cabbage before making coleslaw? ›

Salting the cabbage, carrot, and onion purges excess moisture that would otherwise turn the slaw into a soupy mess. Including sugar (another osmosis-inducing ingredient) balances the flavor. Limiting the purge to five minutes keeps the cabbage crunchy.

Why did Chick Fil A get rid of coleslaw? ›

The chain announced on New Year's Eve 2015 that it was removing the side, citing an effort to revamp its menu and make room for healthier items.

What ethnicity is coleslaw? ›

The dish was initially created in the Netherlands. In fact, the term coleslaw originates from the Dutch expression koosla, which means “cabbage salad.” Recipes similar to coleslaw have been found and used in American homes from as early as 1770.

What is coleslaw called in France? ›

This slaw is called Salade Auvergne or sometimes Salade Auvergnate.

Why is coleslaw now called slaw? ›

Slaw as a freestanding word has been with us for well over 100 years. The oldest entries I can find recorded in print are to 1794, when Dutch speakers introduced the term into English from sla (meaning “salad”) and kool (meaning “cabbage”).

What is cabbage slaw made of? ›

For the Slaw Mix: Combine cabbage, onion, carrot, and parsley in a large bowl, leaving plenty of room to toss (you may have to use 2 large bowls if your bowls are not large enough). Sprinkle with sugar and salt and toss to combine.

What defines a slaw? ›

Slaw is a kind of salad made from raw chopped or shredded cabbage. You might want to put some slaw in your picnic basket to eat with the sandwiches and potato chips. Slaw is shorthand for coleslaw, a side dish or salad that always includes cabbage and sometimes other shredded vegetables.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

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