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My Asian Coleslaw Recipe is the ideal side for BBQs, picnics, and potlucks, ready in under 10 minutes! It’s simple with two steps and a straightforward ingredient list, offering endless customization possibilities. This Asian slaw is a must-try!
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Asian Slaw Salad
Asian coleslaw epitomizes the phrase “more than the sum of its parts.” Despite its simplicity, it’s incredibly versatile and tasty. The first time I made it, I took a taste and knew it was a winner before it even reached the table.
The secret is all in the incredibly flavorful, super simple sesame dressing! This silky and delicious Asian slaw dressing is just a bit sweet, just a bit tangy, with a wonderful sesame nuttiness that brings out all the best flavors in anything it’s poured on! Seriously, the dressing is so good, I end up adding it to everything.
What’s great is how customizable it is. Add apples for sweetness, chicken to make it a main, or mix in ramen noodles. It’s perfect for topping Asian pork sandwiches or as a BBQ side. You can’t go wrong with this delicious blend of taste and texture!
Recipe for Asian Slaw Ingredients
- Cabbage: This recipe uses both red and green cabbage. You can use all one type of cabbage, or even swap it out for bok choy! You can also add in any firm veggies you like such as red bell pepper, broccoli, napa cabbage, shelled edamame, or even a sweet fruit like apples!
- Carrot: Adds sweetness, a crunchy texture, and a bright orange pop of color. Carrot contributes to the overall crunchiness of the slaw and nutritional value.
- Fresh Cilantro: Gives the slaw a fresh, vibrant flavor that complements the Asian sesame dressing and adds a burst of green. If you don’t like cilantro, you can swap it out for parsley or leave it out entirely. A tiny splash of lemon or lime juice can also serve as a great replacement.
- Green Onion: Adds a mild, oniony flavor that enhances the taste of the slaw without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Optional Peanuts for Garnish: Add a nutty crunch and richness that complements the other flavors of the slaw very well. These are totally optional, but they add a lot of depth!
Asian Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides a tangy acidity that balances the sweetness of the carrots and the richness of the sesame oil, brightening the overall flavor of the slaw. Rice vinegar is a great substitution – you may just need to adjust the sweetness.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dressing that balances out the tangy flavor of the vinegar. Honey can be used in place of white sugar, but you may need to heat it slightly to make sure it mixes in.
- Sesame Oil: Sesame oil is important for the flavor, but if you don’t have any, add plenty of sesame seeds and use a mild, flavorless oil like peanut or vegetable oil.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple seasoning enhances the overall flavor of the dressing.
- Sesame Seeds: Optional. Sesame seeds provide a slight crunch and reinforce the flavor of the sesame oil. Plus, they add visual appeal!
- Fresh Ginger: Optional. Ginger adds a warm and aromatic flavor to the slaw dressing, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Isabel’s Top Tip
If you want to make a creamier dressing, adding just 1 Tablespoon of mayonnaise makes the perfect creamy Asian coleslaw dressing recipe! If you can find it, use Asian mayonnaise such as Kewpie, which has a sweeter, richer flavor. You can also use ½ a Tablespoon of peanut butter for a peanut twist!
How to Make Asian Coleslaw Salad
- Shred or thinly slice the carrot, green cabbage, and red cabbage. Chop the cilantro and green onion. Then, add everything into a large bowl.
- Toss all the ingredients together well. Refrigerate to further develop the flavors if desired, serve, and enjoy!
Ready for dinner? Pair this recipe with a big bowl of Spicy Chinese Chicken for a meal you’ll be making again and again! This is one of my favorite Asian cabbage recipes.
Asian Cabbage Slaw Tips
- The dressing ingredients are combined directly with everything else in this recipe, but you can also make the dressing separately by mixing them with a whisk in a small bowl.
- The longer this slaw rests, the softer and more flavorful it will get! For a crunchy, fresh Japanese coleslaw, serve right away. For a softer and more tender one, serve after chilling overnight.
- This recipe makes for an excellent side dish as well as a great topping for burgers and sandwiches.
Asian Slaw FAQ
Like most slaw recipes, Asian cabbage slaw is incredible for make-ahead! The longer it sits, the more flavor that will be absorbed into the cabbage. Just be warned that it can start getting limp over time. Alternatively, you can shred all the vegetables and make the sauce, then store them to combine right before serving.
You can absolutely make creamy Asian coleslaw without a drop of mayo! Just add in about ½ a tablespoon of peanut butter and mix it very well. The peanut butter adds delicious flavor and creaminess to the slaw. Or, add 1 tablespoon of Kyupi mayo for a more classic creamy dressing, but still with that Asian flare.
Asian salad dressing is typically made from a base of sesame oil, a vinegar of choice such as rice or apple cider vinegar, sugar, and choice flavorings like sesame seeds, ginger, grated carrot, or garlic. This simple base dressing is perfect for add-ins!
Storing Leftover Asian Slaw
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The longer it rests, the more limp and flavorful it will become!
- Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing slaw, as it compromises the texture of the fresh veggies.
Asian-Inspired Recipes
- Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
- Chinese Spicy Chili Prawns
- Korean Braised Short Ribs
- Honey and Sesame Chicken
- Japanese Ginger Dressing – just like Hibachi!
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Recipe
Asian Coleslaw
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ head Green cabbage about 2 cups
- ½ head Red cabbage about 2 cups
- 1 Carrot
- 1 bunch Cilantro
- 1 Green onion
Asian Coleslaw
- ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Shred or thinly slice the carrot, green cabbage, and red cabbage, and chop the cilantro and green onion, then add everything into a large bowl.½ head Green cabbage, ½ head Red cabbage, 1 Carrot, 1 bunch Cilantro, 1 Green onion, ½ cup Apple cider vinegar, 3 Tablespoons Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Sesame oil, ¼ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- Toss all the ingredients together well. Refrigerate if desired, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Mix dressing in the salad or separately for more uniform flavor.
- Slaw’s texture softens over time; for crunch, serve immediately, or for tenderness, chill overnight.
- Ideal as a side or a topping for burgers and sandwiches.
- Cabbage: Use one type or substitute with bok choy; add firm veggies or sweet fruits as desired.
- Cilantro: Omit or swap with parsley; use a splash of citrus as an alternative.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Substitute with rice vinegar, adjusting sweetness as needed.
- Sugar: Replace with honey, warming slightly for better integration.
- Sesame Oil: Essential for flavor; if left out, use sesame seeds with a neutral oil.
Theresa Picoriello says
Hello I just stumbled onto you’re website and I like what I see. so, I subscribed. looking forward to checking out more. Thanks, so much for sharing.
Isabel Laessig says
Thank you so much, Theresa!