Easy crunchy salad with Asian lime dressing

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Are you looking for an easy-to-make Asian crunchy salad? Or should I say Asian slaw? It is made with shredded cabbage, grated carrots, and a delicious Asian lime dressing to bring it all together. 10 ingredients and 10 minutes of your time are all it is needed to make this delicious and wholesome salad.

The post has extra tips to make sure the recipe comes out amazing on your first try. If you're in a rush, use the link above to jump to the recipe card at the end! 👩‍🍳🔝
colourful asian slaw in a bowl

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Asian cabbage salad 🥗

What is the Asian slaw?

Asian slaw is a salad known for its mix of thinly sliced vegetables, like cabbage and carrots, combined with a distinct Asian-inspired dressing. This salad offers a satisfying crunch and a fusion of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors, making it a popular choice in Asian and international cuisine.

Ingredients for Asian crunchy salad

The ingredients list is quite short. It is important though that you choose the freshest vegetables possible. Look for a firm cabbage head, vibrant orange carrots and plump red bell pepper.

a large bowl with Asian slaw

Just look at these beautiful colors!! Here is red from the capsicum, purple from the cabbage, orange from the carrots, green from the mint, and coriander. It is bursting with fresh flavors and your body will thank you for this!

ingredients needed to make crunchy salad

Ingredients for Asian lime dressing

This delicious Asian lime dressing brings together sweet, sour, and tangy flavors reminiscent of Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. It’s remarkably simple to make and doesn’t require any uncommon ingredients.

The dressing consists of soy sauce, rice vinegar, a dash of sesame oil, fresh lime juice, garlic, and a touch of raw sugar to balance the flavors.

ingredients needed to make Asian lime dressing

See the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below 👇

Can celiac eat coleslaw?

Whether a person with celiac disease can eat Asian coleslaw depends on how it’s prepared and the ingredients used.

This crunchy salad is a traditional Asian coleslaw recipe, which includes shredded cabbage, carrots, and an Asian-inspired dressing, and is 100% gluten-free.

The lime dressing is made using tamari sauce instead of soy sauce, which makes this delicious crunchy salad totally safe for people who are following a gluten-free diet.

If you like coleslaw I also have an easy to make Thermomix coleslaw recipe.

How to make Asian cabbage salad

Ok, let’ see how to make this simple salad:

  • To begin, place all the lime dressing ingredients into a glass jar or a dressing maker, and vigorously mix them. Set the jar aside.
  • Now, shred the cabbage, julienne the carrots, slice the bell peppers, and chop the cilantro (coriander).
  • Transfer the prepared vegetables into a large mixing bowl, and pour in the dressing.
  • Thoroughly mix to combine, being careful not to overmix.

Enjoy the perfect crunchy salad with Asian lime dressing.

Asian crunchy salad made of cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, in a large white bowl

How to Thinly Slice Cabbage for Salad

To thinly slice the cabbage you will need a sharp chef knife and a large cutting board or a mandoline.

  1. Knife: Begin by halving the cabbage and then slicing it into wedges. From there, you can slice along the vertical edge for longer pieces or horizontally for shorter ones. I like taking layers out of the cabbage as shown in a photo and slicing it into long thin slices. It makes the process much easier and slices really thin.
  2. Mandolin: After cutting the cabbage into wedges, slice it with the cut edge facing down for consistent, paper-thin shreds.

Variations

  • To make this super crucnchy salad a heartier meal, add some protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or thinly sliced beef.
  • Integrate cooked and cooled rice noodles or soba noodles for a Asian noodle salad.
  • Add some texture by tossing in some roasted peanuts.
  • For some heat, incorporate sliced fresh chili peppers.

How to store

This Asian salad can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. It actually tastes delicious the next day, although it may begin to lose some of its crispiness over time.

Can I freeze coleslaw?

Cabbage contains a high water content, and freezing it can cause the texture to change when thawed. It’s not a good idea to freeze a coleslaw.

How to serve this Asian slaw

This super crunchy salad can be used in multiple ways. Here are a couple of ideas that you might like:

  • As a side dish: The classic way to enjoy coleslaw is as a side dish. Give it a try with our miso-glazed chicken thighs or chicken thighs with kecap manis. It will make a fantastic family dinner.
  • In tacos: Serve it within soft tacos alongside Asian chicken thighs, or try our simple fish taco recipe.
  • Make a noodle salad. Add some glass noodles to the salad to make a refreshing Aian noodle salad.
  • Chicken salad: Incorporate shredded poached chicken to create a delightful Asian chicken salad.

How would you serve this Asian crunchy salad?

More gluten-free salad recipes

Have you tried this recipe? If so, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could leave a star rating and share your thoughts in a comment. Your feedback means a lot to me, and it can also help others who are interested in trying it out. Thank you! 🌟👩‍🍳
a colourful crunchy cabbage salad, view from above

Easy crunchy salad with Asian lime dressing

Elena Elliott
This colourful Asian coleslaw is a perfect example of just how delicious nutritious food can be. This beautiful salad is bursting with flavours and is super easy to make. Don’t forget to pin it!
5 from 17 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine asian
Servings 4 serves as a side dish

Ingredients
  

Coleslaw:

  • 1/2 white cabbage thinly sliced
  • 1 red capsicum thinly sliced
  • 2 medium carrots julienned
  • 1/2 cup fresh coriander chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint chopped

Dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce I use Tamari, is gluten-free
  • 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon organic raw sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • 2 garlic cloves minced

Instructions
 

  • Place the dressing ingredients (tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice, and sugar) in a glass jar and shake to combine. Set aside.
  • Shred the cabbage, grate the carrots, slice the bell peppers, and chop the cilantro and place them in a large mixing bowl.
  • Pour the dressing into the mixing bowl with the vegetables and gently toss to combine, taking care not to overmix.
  • Finish by sprinkling a bit more fresh cilantro on top, then serve and enjoy!

Notes

  1. How to Store: Store this Asian salad in the refrigerator within an airtight container for 2-3 days. 
  2. Can I Freeze Coleslaw? Freezing thinly sliced cabbage for salad is generally not recommended, as cabbage’s high water content can alter its texture when thawed.

Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

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5 from 17 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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