Crunchy Sesame Cabbage Salad | It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

This crunchy sesame cabbage salad is recent, vibrant, tremendous flavorful, and really crunchy. Loaded with crisp veggies, edamame, and a tangy sesame dressing, it is the right make-ahead salad for potlucks, BBQs, or straightforward meals.

This crunchy sesame cabbage salad is a kind of salads that seems like one thing you’d order at a restaurant. It is colourful, crunchy, and loaded with recent veggies tossed in a tangy sesame dressing that adheres to each chunk. I really like utilizing a mixture of inexperienced and crimson cabbage as a result of it makes the salad additional rainbow fairly, however you possibly can completely use all one shade if that is what you will have available. Each chunk is full of crunch, shade, and scrumptious sesame taste. It is hearty sufficient for lunch, good for potlucks, and one among my favourite methods to pack an entire rainbow of greens right into a meal!

Bowl of sesame cabbage salad, rice, and tofu.

Why You will Love This Crunchy Sesame Cabbage Salad

Extremely crunchy: Each chunk is full of crisp greens, sesame seeds, wonton strips, and roasted cashews.
Loaded with shade: A rainbow of greens makes this salad as stunning as it’s scrumptious.
Nice for meal prep: In contrast to delicate lettuce salads, cabbage stays crisp for days, particularly should you add the dressing simply earlier than serving.
Restaurant-worthy: This colourful salad jogs my memory of these crunchy sesame salads you’d order at a restaurant, nevertheless it’s straightforward to make at dwelling.

Ingredients for crunchy sesame cabbage salad.

Substances for Sesame Cabbage Salad

For the Salad

Cabbage: I take advantage of a mix of inexperienced and crimson for selection.
Edamame: Frozen shelled edamame thaws shortly. I normally simply rinse it underneath heat water whereas I prep the opposite substances.
Crimson bell pepper: Yellow or orange bell peppers would additionally work.
Carrot: Provides sweetness and further crunch.
Inexperienced onions: For a light onion taste that does not dominate.
Contemporary cilantro: Not a cilantro fan? Be at liberty to depart it out or swap it for parsley.
Roasted cashews: Sliced almonds or peanuts additionally work properly.
Sesame seeds: Add nutty taste and texture. You should utilize white, black, or a mix.
Wonton strips or crispy noodles (optionally available): For that restaurant-style crowning glory.

For the Sesame Dressing

Soy sauce: Use tamari for a gluten-free possibility.
Rice vinegar: Provides tangy brightness.
Maple syrup or agave: To stability the vinegar.
Sesame oil: For nutty sesame taste.
Impartial oil: Helps the dressing cling to the greens, however you possibly can omit it for an oil-free dressing.
Sriracha (optionally available): You possibly can add as a lot or as little as you want relying in your warmth preferences, or depart it out altogether.
Contemporary ginger and garlic: Finely mince these or grate them on a microplane.

Find out how to Make Crunchy Sesame Cabbage Salad

Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk collectively the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, impartial oil, Sriracha (if utilizing), ginger, and garlic till properly mixed.

Rainbow of vegetables arranged on cutting board with knife.

Put together the Greens: Add the inexperienced cabbage, crimson cabbage, edamame, bell pepper, carrot, inexperienced onions, and cilantro to a big salad bowl.

Tossing crunchy sesame cabbage salad in bowl.

Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the greens and toss properly till all the pieces is evenly coated.

End and Serve: Simply earlier than serving, prime with the cashews, sesame seeds, and wonton strips or crispy noodles if utilizing.

Ideas and Variations

Make prep simpler: I really like utilizing my meals processor with the slicing blade for the cabbage after which switching to the grating attachment for the carrot. It makes this salad come collectively in minutes.
Shortcut: No have to shred your personal cabbage should you do not need to. A bag of coleslaw combine works fantastically and makes this salad come collectively very quickly.
Slice the bell pepper by hand: I’ve discovered that meals processor slicing blades usually make bell pepper slices too skinny and smooth. A pointy knife provides the perfect texture.
Add extra protein: High with crispy air fryer tofu for a fair heartier meal.
Save the crunchy toppings for serving: If making forward, wait so as to add the cashews, sesame seeds, and wonton strips till simply earlier than serving in order that they keep good and crisp.

Bowl of crunchy sesame cabbage salad with wonton strips.

Methods to Serve Crunchy Sesame Cabbage Salad

Serve this cabbage salad:

Storage

Retailer leftover crunchy sesame cabbage salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. The cabbage softens barely because it sits, giving it a special texture, however the salad stays scrumptious. Give it a fast toss earlier than serving.