Spicy Asian cabbage salad has been my sweetheart for a long time, and I keep making it often because it is simple and amazingly delicious. Loaded with fresh vegetables and crunchy nuts.
This is a vegetarian, clean-eating, real-food recipe. It's best for mid-day snacking or a perfect side dish. All the ingredients are fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts, except one. What is that? Keep reading. The answer is in the recipe.
Are you skeptical about cabbage in a salad, and how will this turn out on the dinner table? I know many of you have a love-hate relationship with cabbage.
To your surprise, this spicy Asian cabbage salad recipe will not disappoint you. Its co-ingredients would flawlessly balance and compensate for the bold flavor of the cabbage.
If you are a veggie-lover, you will love this recipe. And if you're not a fan of vegetables, you will still like this dish because of its simplicity and delectableness.
Asian cabbage salad is one of the side dishes our family loves to have most of the time. It is also easier for me, as I do not need to strain myself in gathering the ingredients where I can make it with the pantry-ready items.
Even if we make it from scratch, it takes about 15 minutes. There is more room for customization and more variations.
What does this spicy Asian cabbage salad taste like?
This Asian cabbage salad with ramen noodles tastes simple, fresh, and light. It is citrusy, sweet, and crunchy, giving the sensation of not chewing raw vegetables.
This has multiple folds of taste in each bite. You feel the lemon and crunchy veggies, nuts, and soft oranges. Each ingredient hits you with a splendid bundle.
Who said Chinese recipes are always made with sauces? This salad can change your obsession. It does not require soy sauce or chili sauce and is made with all fresh ingredients.
Spicy Asian cabbage salad ingredients
Cabbage
This is the main ingredient, and you may use green cabbage, purple cabbage, or a combination of both. The blend looks colorful and contrasted, and I highly recommend using these two if you're planning a party.
However, as I did today, you can make it with green cabbage alone. Anything with work.
Carrots
The next most important ingredient in the recipe is the carrot. If it is a salad, we discuss the color to make it look appealing. Carrot plays the primary role in giving it a pleasing look. Additionally, it is nutritious.
Furthermore, it contributes to the crunchy texture and perfectly balances the flavor of the cabbage. Cabbage and carrots are inseparable, and of course, the same in spicy Asian cabbage salad is also applicable here.
Top Ramen
I mentioned that it is ready to cook Top Ramen noodles. The Asian-style substitutions for the crotons in this Asian cabbage salad look striking, add a crunchy texture, and make this salad loved even by kids.
I enjoy adding these to the fresh salad; it is crispy and chewy. This is one of my latest kitchen discoveries, and I'm relishing it.
Red pepper
You may add green pepper or yellow pepper instead. It is the color buster in the salad, making it appetite. Likewise, it adds a flavor and mild sweetness. Alternatively, you may skip using it if you don't have it handy.
Orange
You will not believe how fantastic the spicy Asian cabbage salad would be when combined with oranges. The combo is excellent, with the crunchy cabbage with the juicy oranges.
Munching the slices of oranges between the crunchy, chewy vegetables is an immense pleasure, making us fall in love with this cute addition.
Sesame seeds
I have chosen this for garnishing, giving an authentic Chinese look. But adding is optional, as this will not impact much. For better taste, pan-roast them until they change their color slightly and are aromatic.
Roasted Peanuts
This adds a good amount of protein to the salad. I know some people have openings between the roasted peanuts in the salad, but this adds a different dimension, making the Asian cabbage salad recipe one of a kind. However, if you do not prefer, you can swap with sunflower seeds or almond slices.
Lemon juice
I have opted for lime dressing to make this salad as skinny as possible, which would also be perfect for any salad in the world. Freshly squeezed lemon would be good.
Rice vinegar
This one ingredient can potentially convert any regular dish to taste like Chinese. Do you think getting them here in the United States is not that hard? I got mine from my local Walmart.
But in its absence, you replace it with apple cider vinegar, and the taste of spicy Asian cabbage salad will differ accordingly.
Honey
This complements the salad and makes the dressing denser so that the ingredients are coated evenly.
How to make a spicy Asian cabbage salad recipe?
Simply,
Chop the vegetables. Chopping them to the size of the matchstick will do half the work. Cutting cabbage, carrot, and red pepper this way makes it authentic.
Spicy Asian cabbage salad dressing. Add lemon juice, rice vinegar, and honey in a small mixing bowl. Stir until dissolved completely. To cut out the extra calories, I have not added any fat. But if you prefer, you may add any salad oil here.
Toss. In a large mixing bowl, add julienne-cut vegetables, roasted peanuts, crumbled Top Ramen, and the salad dressing. Gently mix until combined. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
Serve. Serve immediately in the small bowls along with your main course. This versatile salad can be served as an appetizer or a lean meal.
It is better to eat spicy Asian cabbage salad right away or within 3-4 hours. Otherwise, the Top Ramen and the roasted peanuts will become soggy and may not taste good afterward.
Possible variations
This is the basic recipe, made with straightforward ingredients. The sky is the limit for customizing. Please feel free to add your favorites.
Add extra veggies like cucumber, green pepper, cauliflower, and broccoli. Every added ingredient brings a whole new appearance.
Add Cheese—If you feel that you are missing cheese, you are most welcome to add grated cheese, which makes this an excellent fusion recipe.
How to store spicy Asian cabbage salad?
As I have discussed before, it is better to consume it immediately. If you plan to make it ahead, you may store the chopped vegetables, the dry ingredients, and the dressing separately. Combine them whenever needed.
What and how to serve?
I most often serve spicy Asian cabbage salad with steamed rice. It is also best served with white rice, brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, or barley.
Serving them with warm tortillas or other traditional Tapas would also work out. Since this turns better with any of your main courses, you name it.
Other delicious salad recipes like,
- Spicy strawberry salad
- Indian tomato salad
- Spicy carrot salad
- Simple dragon fruit salad
- Fresco salad
- Indian quinoa salad
Printable recipe card
Spicy Asian cabbage salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup cabbage julienne cut
- ½ cup carrot
- ½ cup red pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squished
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ cup Top Ramen crumbled
- ¼ cup peanuts roasted
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds roasted
Instructions
- Cut cabbage, carrot, and red peppers to julienne. Keep aside.
- In a small mixing bowl add lemon juice, rice vinegar, salt, red pepper flakes, and honey.
- Give a quick stir until honey dissolves. And keep aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the vegetables.
- Break Top Ramen to small chunks and add. Add roasted peanuts, roasted sesame seeds.
- Finally, add the dressing. Combine them until the vegetables coated well with the dressing.
- Taste and adjust the salt. And serve mediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Liked this recipe? Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram.
Amy
This is amazing, I did not know that the cabbage taste delicious before this dish. Made and tastes perfect, I have substituted honey with agave nectar.