Cabbage Salad

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my cabbage salad recipes, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

Cabbage Salad:

• Coleslaw Mix – I almost always grab a bag of coleslaw mix to save time — it’s my go-to for cabbage salad, taco slaw, even egg roll in a bowl. If you’d rather shred your own, go for a mix of green cabbage and carrots. Red cabbage works too, or even Napa or savoy if you want more of an Asian vibe.
• Bell Pepper – I love the crunch and natural sweetness it adds. If I’m out, I’ve swapped in things like carrots, onions, or even cucumbers and it still turns out great.
• Green Onions – These give just the right mild onion flavor without being too strong. I like slicing them thin so they mix in better.
• Sunflower Seeds – These add a nice little crunch, but I’ve also used chopped almonds or walnuts when that’s what I have. Pecans could work too!

Asian Salad Dressing:

• Coconut Aminos – I use this as a soy sauce swap, but low-sodium soy sauce works just fine too.
• Olive Oil – You can use avocado oil or any neutral oil you like.
• White Wine Vinegar – I’ve also used rice vinegar, white balsamic, or even apple cider vinegar. Lemon juice works too in a pinch.
• Sesame Oil – I like the nutty flavor it adds! Toasted is my favorite, but regular is totally fine.
• Seasonings – I kept it simple with garlic powder, sea salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sometimes I’ll add a little ginger or a spoonful of Dijon for extra flavor.

VARIATION: Make the cabbage salad dressing creamy, sweet, or both!

• Sweet – Add 2-3 tablespoons of honey (or sugar-free honey).
• Creamy – Add 1/4 cup of mayo (store-bought or homemade mayonnaise).
• Change it up – Swap in my Asian salad dressing instead.

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How To Make Cabbage Salad

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Whisk the dressing. In a large bowl, mix together the coconut aminos, olive oil, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes.
2. Add the salad ingredients. Toss in the cabbage, bell peppers, green onions, and sunflower seeds.
3. Mix it up. Give everything a good stir until it’s all coated. When I have time, I pop the cabbage salad in the fridge to let the flavors come together.

Serving Ideas

Not sure what to pair this Asian cabbage salad with? Here are some of my favorite serving ideas:

• Asian-Inspired Mains – This cabbage salad goes so well with bold flavors! I like it with sweet and sour chicken or teriyaki chicken. If you want a spicy twist, try it with black pepper chicken or sriracha chicken.
• Grilled Mains – It even works for cookouts! I usually toss this salad on the table with burgers, grilled steak, or salmon if I’m cooking on the grill. It just goes with everything.
• Air Fryer Mains – When I want something fast and don’t feel like turning on the oven, I pair this salad with air fryer pork chops or crispy chicken thighs.