It’s starting to feel like summer here in Minnesota, and after a particularly rough winter, to say that I’m excited about it is a major under-statement! Of course, warm weather and sun always feels good, but it’s also the time of year that I start to crave light and refreshing recipes, like this simple oriental Asian cabbage salad recipe! Not only is this shredded cabbage salad full of flavor, but it’s a HEALTHY cabbage salad, too. It’s keto, low carb, paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, whole30… do you need me to keep going here?! Even better is that it couldn’t be easier to make! It takes 5 minutes. Seriously, 5 minutes. Like most cabbage salad recipes, this one gets better after the cabbage and dressing sit together for a few hours, so make it in the morning and spend the rest of the day outside – it will be ready and waiting for you whenever you return from your summer fun. The flavors in this shredded cabbage salad are definitely Asian and pair well with easy meals like Hunan beef, but — just like with kani salad — it’s the type of dish that can really go with just about anything. It would be perfect for a party, or as a side dish to your favorite grilled dinners.
How To Make Simple Oriental Asian Cabbage Salad Recipe
This healthy Asian shredded cabbage salad comes together in just two simple steps and five minutes! #1: Whisk together the Asian salad dressing.
#2: Mix together the simple cabbage salad ingredients and toss with the dressing.
TIP: To make a creamy cabbage salad dressing version, simply whisk in a tablespoon or two of avocado oil mayonnaise into the dressing.
Are Cabbage Salads Healthy?
Yes, simple cabbage salads are healthy! Not only is this a keto cabbage salad, but it’s also paleo, gluten-free, AND packed with fresh vegetables. Cabbage (in the cruciferous veggie family) has a slew of health benefits. It’s full of many different nutrients and vitamins; and rich in phytonutrients, which can help lower inflammation and lower risk of cancer. It’s safe to say that it’s definitely a vegetable you should be including in your diet on a regular basis. (It’s recommend to eat cruciferous vegetables several times a week – not a problem with this delicious oriental cabbage salad!) Now, if you’re like me, plain cabbage can taste a little boring, so it definitely needs some flavor. Don’t worry, the easy dressing in this Asian style cabbage salad will solve that problem!
What Cabbage To Use For Salads?
You can use a variety of shredded cabbages for salads. In this green cabbage salad we’re obviously using a base of green cabbage. I opted to use a prepared coleslaw mix, to save some time on chopping. If you’re short on time, I would recommend it as it means you can make this salad in just 5 minutes! You can also easily shred your own cabbage if you prefer. Shredded green cabbage works really well with this salad. If you use a more delicate cabbage like napa or savoy, it won’t stand up to the dressing as well so you’d want to serve it right away. They would both be tasty alternatives to green cabbage.
Can You Make Healthy Cabbage Salad Ahead?
Yes, you can – and should – make cabbage salad ahead of time. Because cabbage is not quite as tender as lettuce, you don’t have to worry about the cabbage wilting or getting soggy if it sits in the dressing. In fact, most coleslaws should be tossed together and chilled for at least 30 minutes. You can, of course, serve it right away, but the flavors will intensify and the cabbage will break down a bit if you let it “marinate” for a little while. For a simple raw cabbage salad recipe like this one, I would recommend making it a few hours in advance. If you need to make it a day or two in advance, you can make the dressing and prep all of the vegetables, but don’t toss everything together until the day you’re going to serve it.
More Healthy Salad Recipes
If you’ve been here a while, you should know that low carb salads are a delicious and healthy way to eat more vegetables, and round out a low carb or keto meal. And don’t worry, I don’t do boring salads here! These are full of flavor and perfect for enjoying all summer long…
Italian Marinated Artichoke Salad Low Carb Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Caprese Salad Skewers with Pesto + Bacon Mexican Cabbage Coleslaw
And if you’re making this Asian salad, pair it with Asian chicken soup – just swap shirataki noodles for the brown rice noodles to make it low carb.
Glass Bowl Set – I love that these glass bowls can be used for both mixing and serving. We use them daily in our house. Chef’s Knife – A good knife will make chopping quick and easy. And this one is really affordable for the quality. Food Processor – If you want to make your own shredded cabbage for this salad, I highly recommend using a food processor.
Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too - I’d love to see it! For a sweeter dressing, add sweetener of choice to the dressing, to taste.
