Spicy Crunch Cabbage Salad

Name: Spicy Crunch Cabbage Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 cups shredded green cabbage; 1 cup shredded red cabbage; 1/2 cup shredded carrots; 1/4 cup chopped green onions; 1/4 cup sliced almonds; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro; 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 1 tbsp lime juice; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tsp grated ginger; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

🕒 Prep: 20 min

🔥 Cook:

🍽 Serves: 4

★★★★★

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Spice up your salad game with this vibrant Spicy Crunch Cabbage Salad. It's crisp, colorful, and packs a punch with a zesty dressing that'll wake up your taste buds.

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Ingredients for Spicy Crunch Cabbage Salad

Green cabbage and red cabbage form the crunchy base, adding bulk and texture. Carrots offer sweetness and color, while green onions bring a mild, oniony bite. For a nutty crunch, we have sliced almonds. Cilantro adds freshness, but feel free to skip it if you're not a fan. The heat comes from a jalapeño, offering a spicy kick.

The dressing is a blend of soy sauce for savory depth, rice vinegar for tanginess, sesame oil for its rich, nutty flavor, and lime juice for brightness. Honey balances out the heat and acidity, while ginger and garlic provide a warm, aromatic base. A touch of red pepper flakes amps up the spice level.

Tips & Tricks

To save time, buy pre-shredded cabbage and carrots.
If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeño.
Make the salad a few hours ahead to deepen the flavors.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. Try serving it alongside tacos or a spicy Asian-inspired dish to complement its flavors. It's also a great potluck option — it travels well and stays crisp!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?: Yes, it's actually better if it sits for a while. Just keep it in the fridge and toss it a bit before serving.
Is there a substitute for cilantro?: Sure, you can use parsley or just skip it if you prefer.
How can I make it vegan?: Simply replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.

Spicy Crunch Cabbage Salad Recipe Walkthrough

Start by prepping your veggies: shred the green cabbage and red cabbage, and slice your jalapeño thinly. In a large bowl, combine these with the shredded carrots, chopped green onions, sliced almonds, and chopped cilantro.

Next, let's make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice, and honey. Add in the grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until it's all nicely combined.

Pour the dressing over your cabbage mixture. Toss everything well so each piece is coated with that delicious dressing. Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes. This resting time helps the flavors meld beautifully.

Finally, serve your salad chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy the crunch and the kick!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Great for meal prep — it tastes even better the next day!
Perfect balance of heat, crunch, and freshness.
Simple ingredients, big flavors.
Quick to toss together — ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

4 cups shredded green cabbage

1 cup shredded red cabbage

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp grated ginger

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, green onions, sliced almonds, cilantro, and jalapeño.

2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until well combined.

3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.