This Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Asian Sesame Dressing is full of flavors and textures. It’s simple to make and the perfect side dish with summer BBQs. The creamy sesame dressing is loaded with sweet, salty, and tangy flavors, and adds so much flavor to this unique Asian coleslaw!
*This post is sponsored by SunButter, a sunflower seed spread perfect for allergy-safe baking and cooking! Thanks for supporting the brands that keep Sunkissed Kitchen running.
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An Asian Coleslaw with so much Crunch!
Summer is all about delicious, colorful salads. This one is totally craveable, with tons of crunch and a creamy sesame dressing that will have you coming back for seconds.
I love raw cabbage salad because of the sweet flavor and crunch appeal. This one takes it up a notch by adding fresh herbs, sweet mango, and toasty-crunchy cashews.
There’s nothing better than Asian style salad dressings. They are a combination of spicy-sweet-sour-salty.
The next time you see beautiful heads of cabbage at the farmers market, pick one up for this fresh and delicious cabbage carrot salad!
The dressing I added to this cabbage and carrot salad adds CREAMY to the list! SunButter is a sunflower seed butter that works so well in a variety of sauces and dressings.
It’s allergy friendly, but adds that nutty flavor that’s so delicious in Asian sauces. If you see a recipe with peanut butter, SunButter is a great swap! It’s only ingredients are sunflower seeds and salt.
Hop on over to SunButter’s website to see where it’s sold near you!
What You’ll Need
- Cabbage (I use both green cabbage and red cabbage (purple cabbage) for beautiful colors! Also try this with Napa Cabbage.)
- Carrots (raw carrots add another layer of crunch!)
- Fresh Herbs: Cilantro and Green Onions. Fresh mint or fresh basil are also great additions!
- Toasted Cashews
- Mango (optional but SO good when served alongside grilled meats!)
- Sesame Seeds (to garnish, delicious but optional!)
Note: Make this Cabbage Carrot Slaw low carb by swapping red bell pepper for the mango and almonds for the cashews!
Creamy Asian Sesame Dressing
- SunButter No Sugar Added
- Rice Vinegar (unseasoned/unsweetened, swap with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar if you don’t have access to this!)
- Sesame Oil (toasted gives the dressing the best sesame flavor!)
- Coconut Aminos (this is a soy free, gluten free substitute for soy sauce. See notes for using soy sauce or tamari)
- Lime Juice
- Sriracha Hot Sauce (I use a sugar free paleo sriracha)
- Sea Salt
- Optional: add 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup to bring out the sweetness of the dressing, if desired!
How to Make as Asian Style Cabbage and Carrot Salad
Step 1: Add all Asian Sesame Dressing ingredients into a blender, food processor, or a mason jar. Process or shake the dressing until it’s a smooth and creamy texture. Set aside.
Step 2: Into a large bowl, add the cabbage, shredded carrots, and herbs.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. I typically start with about 2/3 of the dressing and serve the salad with additional dressing on the side. Toss the vegetables with the dressing.
Step 4: When ready to serve, garnish the salad with sliced mango, chopped cashews, and additional herbs.
How to Store Leftover Carrot and Cabbage Salad
If you know you won’t be using the whole salad, store the cabbage, carrot, and herb blend separate from the dressing, cashews, and mango.
When ready to enjoy, add dressing to the salad, and top with mango and cashews.
If the salad has already been tossed with the dressing, store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To add fresh flavor the next day, I like to add some fresh herbs or some freshly shredded cabbage.
How to Serve Asian Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
This easy cabbage salad recipe is a great side dish for a bbq or potluck.
It’s also delicious simply topped with grilled or baked protein. I suggest:
- Grilled Shrimp
- Coconut Aminos Marinated Chicken
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Grilled Pork Chops
Other Cabbage Salad Recipes
- Absolutely Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad
- Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts
- Asian Cabbage Salad with Roasted Broccoli
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Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Asian Sesame Dressing
Ingredients
Cabbage and Carrot Salad
- 6 cups green cabbage shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage shredded
- 2 carrots large carrots (or 2 cups), shredded
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cashews toasted, chopped
- 1 cup mango sliced thin or cut in chunks
Creamy Asian Sesame Dressing
- 3 tablespoons SunButter No Sugar Added
- 6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1-2 tablespoons sriracha (look for Paleo), add to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt add to taste
Instructions
Asian Sesame Dressing
- Add all Asian Sesame Dressing ingredients into a blender or a mason jar. Process or shake the dressing until it’s a smooth and creamy texture. Set aside.
Cabbage and Carrot Salad
- Into a large salad bowl, add the cabbage, carrots, and herbs.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. I typically start with about 2/3 of the dressing and serve the salad with additional dressing on the side. Toss the vegetables with the dressing.
- When ready to serve, garnish the salad with sliced mango, chopped cashews, and additional herbs.
Video
Notes
How to Store Leftover Carrot and Cabbage Salad
If you know you won’t be using the whole salad, store the cabbage, carrot, and herb blend separate from the dressing, cashews, and mango. When ready to enjoy, add dressing to the salad, and top with mango and cashews. If the salad has already been tossed with the dressing, store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To freshen it up, I like to add some fresh herbs or some freshly shredded cabbage.How to Serve Asian Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
This salad is the perfect side dish for a bbq or potluck. It’s also delicious simply topped with grilled or baked protein. I suggest:- Grilled Shrimp
- Coconut Aminos Marinated Chicken
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Grilled Pork Chops
Absolutely adore all the flavors and textures in this salad!