Name: Asian Cabbage Salad with Mandarin Oranges
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12 people
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups thinly sliced cabbage (about 1 medium head; use green, or a mix of green and red); 1 cup shredded carrots; 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color or a mix); 3/4 cup chopped or slivered almonds (toasted, if desired); 5 green onions (chopped); 1 cup chopped cucumber; 2 cans mandarin oranges, drained (15 ounces cans); 3 tablespoons honey; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 1/3 cup light oil (such as avocado or canola); 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger); 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

This easyAsian Cabbage Saladrecipe features crisp vegetables, mandarin oranges, and a sweet sesame dressing. Perfect for potlucks, meal prep, and healthy eating, this crunchy salad is ready in just 30 minutes!

A plate of colorful Asian cabbage salad with shredded carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and sesame seeds, served with a fork on a blue-striped cloth. Another plate and bowl of salad are in the background.

🍽️ This salad is a meal prepper’s dream! The sturdy cabbageholds up beautifully throughout the week, and when you keep the dressing separate, you can enjoy fresh, crispy salad for days.

My 2 Best Tips For Making Asian Cabbage Salad

Let the Ginger Shine:Fresh ginger makes a noticeable difference in this dressing compared to ground ginger. Use a microplane grater or the small holes of a box grater to get the finest grate possible. This ensures the ginger distributes evenly and doesn’t create any unpleasant chunks.

Prep Ahead:This salad is ameal prepper’s dream! The sturdy cabbage holds up beautifully throughout the week, and when you keep the dressing separate, you can enjoy fresh, crispy salad for days — just add the dressing when serving. To help keep the salad from getting soggy, I also leave out the cucumber when I prep this salad ahead for future meals.

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With its bright colors and refreshing crunch, this Asian cabbage salad is guaranteed to be the star of any potluck, picnic, or gathering.

The combination of sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, and flavorful sesame dressing appeals to everyone.

You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand – substitute peanuts for almonds, add extra bell peppers if they’re your favorite, or adjust the mandarin oranges to your taste preference.

It adapts perfectly to your family’s preferences and dietary needs!

How To Make Crunchy Asian Cabbage Salad Recipe

A wooden board displays red and green cabbage, cucumber, green onions, a bowl of mandarin oranges, red and yellow bell peppers, carrots, fresh ginger, sesame seeds, a bowl of dressing, and a bowl of mixed nuts.

Step 1:Gather the ingredients for this yummy salad! If you want to save time, grab a bag of pre-shredded cabbage and carrot mix. No judgment here!

Chopped orange and yellow bell peppers, green onions, a knife, and whole bell peppers are on a wooden cutting board, with carrots and ginger nearby. A bowl of shredded cabbage sits at the bottom.

Step 2:Thinly slice and chop all of the vegetables and mince the ginger. Drain the mandarin oranges.

A white bowl filled with colorful ingredients for a salad, including sliced red and yellow bell peppers, mandarin orange segments, chopped green onions, shredded carrots, cucumber, purple cabbage, white cabbage, and chopped nuts.

Step 3:Combine all of the vegetables, ginger, and oranges in a large bowl.

A large white bowl filled with colorful Asian-inspired salad featuring shredded cabbage, carrots, purple cabbage, sliced green onions, mandarin orange segments, and a sprinkling of sesame seeds, with a spoon in the bowl.

Step 4:Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad; mix and serve.Note: If making this dish ahead, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this Asian cabbage salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! For best results, prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately, then combine them just before serving. If making for meal prep, omit the cucumber (as it gets soft) and add dressing to individual portions as needed. The salad will stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

What type of cabbage works best for this recipe?

Green cabbage is the classic choice, but you can use red cabbage or a mix of both for extra color and visual appeal. Napa cabbage also works wonderfully and provides a slightly more tender texture. The key is to slice it thinly for the best eating experience.

Can I substitute the mandarin oranges with fresh fruit?

Yes! Fresh mandarin segments, orange segments, or even diced apples work beautifully. If using fresh citrus, you may want to add them just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming too watery. Dried cranberries or raisins also make excellent substitutions.