This crunchy version of Asian cabbage salad with the best and easy sesame dressing made from scratch is satisfying, and very simple to make. Crisp cabbage, crunchy chow mein noodles, sweet carrots, buttery cashews, and zesty green onions make this a sensory salad recipe you’ll want to keep handy.
One of my favorite memories eating out at Chinese restaurants while growing up was the bowl of crunchy chow mein noodles you would get as a little snack while waiting for the food. As an adult, I now complete my cravings for this nostalgic taste by simply heading to the local grocery and picking up a bag of what’s become a popular salad topper.
No need to make it complicated, a little handful of these morsels can really turn an Asian cabbage salad into a party. Exactly what I need when I’m in a rush trying to get some energy while balancing the rest of my day at the same time.
I need quick, easy, and productive meals that keep me full and are enjoyable.
I feel really good eating this crisp cabbage salad.
Especially after a long day or gym workout, all I need is a big bowl of this and I feel proud of the heap of vegetables I just ate.
The crunchy chow mein noodles are tasty. Add in the homemade, easy sesame dressing, and it’s guilt free because it’s real-food and wholesome ingredients.
If you would like to add a level to this version of Asian noodle salad, you can make crunchy chow mein noodles from scratch, but here, it’s all about time saving.
Why is asian Cabbage Salad with Crunchy Chow Mein Noodles a must try?
- contrasting textures satisfy the need for crunch and lightness
- few ingredients!
- crispy chow mein noodles are easy to find in many groceries
- lip-smacking sesame dressing is balanced with salty, savory, sweet
- rainbow vegetables make this hearty and nutrient dense
- cashew nuts add creaminess, richness, and buttery vegan protein
- this Asian salad can be prepped before hand and stored as lunch salads
- make a party food table look even more appealing with this loaded and beautiful-to-look-at salad
- any meat or seafood is easy to add to this dish
Ingredients for Asian Cabbage Salad
- green cabbage – Cut very thinly. A mandolin will save time and make perfectly thin cut cabbage. An Asian cabbage salad needs to be thinly cut to be most palatable.
- red cabbage – Cut very thinly. A mandolin will save time and make perfectly thin cut cabbage.
- carrots – julienne style
- cilantro – small chopped
- green onions – thin sliced
- crunchy chow mein noodle salad topper – a big handful takes this dish to that next level
- roasted salted cashews – you can replace with spicy cashews, peanuts, or almond slivers if you wish
- lime – fresh for squeezing
why is this Easy Sesame Dressing the best?
Making sesame dressing at home doesn’t need to be intimidating or come out as off balanced, and sometimes that happens. However, here, I’ll give you the exact recipe breakdown to make restaurant worthy sesame dressing.
Making this dressing is fast too. No mincing, cutting, or processing required. A bowl and whisk will do just fine.
How to make cabbage salad kicked up a few notches? It’s the toasted sesame dressing.
This is the kind of dressing that makes me say “yummy!” out loud. You’ll be eating salads more often after you make this.
Ingredients in Sesame Dressing
- honey
- toasted sesame oil – must be toasted
- garlic powder
- white distilled vinegar
- olive oil
- mayonnaise – a little adds creaminess
- toasted black or white sesame seeds – a pinch
- salt to taste – a pinch
Yes. Use big mason jars and make sure the salad doesn’t have dressing if you will be storing for meal prep or leftovers. Add a paper towel in the container to absorb moisture and allow your salad to stay fresher for longer. I like to consume stored salad within 2-3 days. Keep the cashews and noodles separate.
No, crunchy chow mein noodles are not normally gluten-free.
Add proteins like steak, baked salmon, shrimp, or tofu and even black beans! You can add vegetables like corn, edamame, snap peas, Thai chili for spice, and cucumber.
Just remove the mayonnaise from the salad dressing to make it vegan dressing and while the chow mein noodles are normally made with egg, this salad would be considered vegetarian (not vegan).
Crunchy Asian Cabbage Salad with Easy Sesame Dressing
Equipment
- bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- ¾ whole small green cabbage thin sliced lengthwise
- ½ whole small red cabbage thin sliced lengthwise
- 1 whole large carrot julienne or matchsticks
- ½ cup cilantro small chopped
- ½ cup green onions thin sliced
- 1 cup crispy chow mein noodle salad topper
- ¾ cup roasted and salted cashews
- 1 lime squeeze all over
Sesame Dressing
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1½ tbsp white distilled vinegar
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise optional
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt to taste
- toasted black sesame seeds just a pinch. optional
Instructions
Make Easy Sesame Dressing
- Combine sesame dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk very well until completely smooth and incorporated. Set aside in refrigerator until ready to use. Store in a mason jar for leftovers.
Make Crunchy Asian Cabbage Salad
- Cut and prep all veggies. Mix together.Add in the crunchy chow mein noodles and cashews when ready to eat. Do not add them before.
- Mix well.
- Add the dressing and toss. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- add protein like steak, shrimp, salmon, or tofu
- serve as a side dish during a BBQ
- store in a big Mason jar and bring to eat at the park or near the beach
- make for meal prep lunches
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