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Cabbage Salad With Tangy Sesame Dressing - Crunchy, Fresh, and Easy

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Cabbage: 6 cups thinly sliced green or napa cabbage (or a mix with red cabbage for color)
  • Carrots: 2 medium, julienned or grated
  • Red bell pepper: 1, thinly sliced
  • Cucumber: 1 small, halved and thinly sliced (optional but refreshing)
  • Scallions: 3, thinly sliced
  • Fresh herbs: 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, mint, or a mix
  • Toasted sesame seeds: 2 tablespoons (white, black, or mixed)
  • Crushed roasted peanuts or cashews: 1/3 cup (optional for extra crunch)
  • Rice vinegar: 3 tablespoons (or use apple cider vinegar in a pinch)
  • Soy sauce or tamari: 2 tablespoons
  • Toasted sesame oil: 1.5 tablespoons
  • Neutral oil: 2 tablespoons (such as avocado, canola, or grapeseed)
  • Honey or maple syrup: 1.5 tablespoons
  • Fresh lime juice: 1 tablespoon (optional, for extra brightness)
  • Garlic: 1 small clove, finely grated
  • Fresh ginger: 1 teaspoon, finely grated
  • Chili flakes or chili crisp: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, to taste
  • Salt and black pepper: to taste

Method
 

  1. Prep the vegetables. Remove the tough core from the cabbage and slice it very thin. Julienne or grate the carrots. Slice the bell pepper, cucumber, and scallions. Add everything to a large bowl.
  2. Toast your seeds. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. If using peanuts or cashews, roughly chop them and toast briefly as well. Set aside to cool.
  3. Make the dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, neutral oil, honey, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and chili. Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt and pepper. The flavor should be punchy and a touch sweet.
  4. Dress and toss. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the cabbage mixture. Add the herbs and most of the sesame seeds and nuts. Toss well to coat, then let it sit for 5–10 minutes so the cabbage softens slightly.
  5. Finish and serve. Taste again and add more dressing if needed. Sprinkle with the remaining seeds and nuts. Serve chilled or at room temperature.