Cabbage, shredded carrots, pecans, and parmesan cheese are tossed together in a bright, tangy dressing. ThisCabbage Saladis colorful, crunchy, and fresh.

Cabbage is often overlooked, but this salad helps bring out its flavor and texture. Bothred and green cabbage hold their cruncheven when covered in a light dressing, making it the perfect ingredient for this side salad. You will be surprised at the bold and tangy flavor this homemade dressing brings to a simple salad of cabbage, carrots, nuts, and cheese!

I love to make this salad and dressing separately ahead of time, then toss it together a few hours before I plan on serving it to allow all the flavors to set in. Feel free to eat this as a side dish or use it to top off tacos or burgers. Cabbage salad is a lively and refreshing dish, perfect for a summer cookout or weekday dinner!

cabbage salad recipe in a white bowl with golden forks to the side.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It is full of bold, unique, and bright ingredients.
The salad itself is crunchy while the dressing is tangy and bright.
It is an easy side dish and can be prepared in less than 20 minutes.

Recipe Ingredients

Salad Ingredients:

Coleslaw Mix—You can find this pre-mixed at the store ormake your own coleslawblend.
Shredded Carrots—To add some color and texture to the dish.
Pecans—For a nice crunch and soft, nutty flavor.
Parmesan Flakes—To give the salad a rich, tangy flavor.

Dressing Ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar—Brings a strong, bright flavor to the dressing.
Dijon Mustard—To add a tangy and slightly spicy taste.
Olive Oil—Gives the dressing a smooth texture and helps tone down some of the bold flavors.
Salt and Pepper—Can be added to taste to complete the salad.

How to Make Cabbage Salad

clear mixing bowl with the progress of making cabbage salad.

clear mixing bowl with the progress of making cabbage salad dressing.

Step #1.Fold together the coleslaw mix, shredded carrots, pecans, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Set aside.

Step #2.In a separate bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and salt.

Step #3.Combine the dressing well.

Step #4.Drizzle the salad dressing over your salad, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between cabbage salad and coleslaw?

Coleslaw is a mayonnaise-based, creamy dish that typically includes green and red cabbage, shredded carrots, and seasonings. We will be using dry coleslaw mix in this recipe, but the difference is that cabbage salad uses a dressing that is more vinaigrette-like and includes extra ingredients like nuts, cheese, and other veggies.

Can cabbage be eaten raw?

Absolutely! Raw cabbage is often used in soups, sandwiches, spring rolls, tacos, and so much more. It can be used cooked or raw, and when prepared correctly is a delicious ingredient!

How can I make my own coleslaw mix?

You can find premade coleslaw mix at the grocery store, but making your own is super simple! Try this homemade coleslaw recipe. You will need one head of green and red cabbage, and a bag of carrots. Thinly slice the cabbage and shred the carrots with a peeler or grater. Toss everything together and you’re good to go.

What Other Ingredients Can I Add to Cabbage Salad?

Cabbage salad can be easily modified with different toppings or ingredients. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Veggies

Sliced red onion
Green olives
Diced cucumber
Red bell pepper

Nuts

Almonds
Walnuts
Candied pecans

Fruit

Dried cranberries
Shredded or diced green apples
Sliced grapes

Cheese

Feta
Blue cheese
Goat cheese

How to Store Cabbage Salad

If you want to make the dressing ahead of time, it can be stored in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. You will want to shake or whisk your dressing vigorously after you take it out of the fridge to ensure it is homogenous. You can also fold together your salad mix and store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Expert Tips

Before serving,add the dressing to the salad and give it time to rest to ensure that the salad soaks up the flavorof the dressing and blends together nicely.
You canreplace the Dijon mustard with stone ground mustard if you want. Stone ground mustard will give you a slightly stronger flavor.
Candied pecans are a nice additionto this salad because they add a little bit of sweetness to contrast the tangy flavors.
This salad can speak for itself as amain dish, but you can also serve it as aside dishto many dishes such asgrilled chickenorfish.
Remember to shake or stir your salad dressing before using it.The oil will separate from the other ingredients over time, but will become homogenous with a few good shakes.