Name: Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad with Crunch – Lettuce Salad Recipes Favorite
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 cups napa cabbage, finely shredded; 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded; 1 cup shredded carrots; 4 green onions, sliced; 1/2 cup toasted almonds; 1/2 cup sunflower seeds; 1 package ramen noodles (crushed, uncooked); 1/4 cup sesame oil; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and black pepper to taste

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I’ve made a lot of salads in my life, but this one? It sticks. It’s bright, it’s crunchy, and that dressing—oh, that dressing—is so unexpectedly good that I caught myself licking the spoon (don’t judge). The whole thing comes together quickly, which is perfect when I’ve got dinner guests arriving in 15 minutes and nothing but half a cabbage in the fridge. We’re not using fancy ingredients here, just a mix of napa cabbage, shredded carrots, green onions, and ramen for crunch. But the real magic? It’s in the sesame oil-soy sauce combo that wraps everything in a savory, slightly sweet hug. I love that it’s satisfying without weighing you down. It feels like eating something good for your body without sacrificing flavor—imagine that. Whether you’re on the hunt for cabbage salad recipes healthy and full of texture, or just need new vegetable salad recipes to break out of the iceberg-lettuce rut, this hits all the right notes. It’s quick, it’s zippy, and it’s earned its place on my regular rotation of healthy cabbage recipes. Honestly, it’s one of those healthy cabbage salad recipes I make when I don’t feel like cooking—but still want to eat like I did.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad Recipe
3) Ingredients for Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad
4) How to Make Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad
5) Tips for Making Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad
6) Making Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad
8) Try these Salad recipes next!
9) Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This lettuce salad recipe is light, crunchy, and filled with flavor.
Perfect mix of healthy cabbage recipes that come together in minutes.
A versatile base that works for both weekday lunches and family dinners.
Pairs perfectly with grilled chicken or tofu for a full meal.

2) Easy Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad Recipe

I love when a recipe surprises me. This one did. I had leftover cabbage one night and thought, why not make something fresh and simple? Before I knew it, I had created one of my favorite lettuce salad recipes to date. It’s crisp, tangy, and feels good to eat. You know that kind of dish that makes you go for seconds and still feel like you made a smart choice? That’s this one.

The first time I tossed it together, I didn’t expect much. But between the sesame oil, soy sauce, and crunchy ramen bits, it turned into something addictive. We ate it all before I remembered to save some for lunch. You can’t go wrong with healthy cabbage recipes that taste this good. Every bite has a mix of soft cabbage and crunchy seeds, creating that perfect mouthfeel that keeps you going back for more.

What I like most is how flexible it is. If you have leftover veggies hanging around, just toss them in. This salad doesn’t judge. It’s the kind of dish that proves vegetable salad recipes don’t have to be boring or complicated. Just a little balance and flavor—and you’re good to go.

3) Ingredients for Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad

Napa Cabbage: The heart of the recipe. Thinly sliced, it gives you that gentle crunch without feeling too heavy. It’s light but holds dressing well, and it’s one of my favorite bases for cabbage salad recipes healthy enough for any meal.

Red Cabbage: Adds color and a touch of bite. The mix of napa and red cabbage keeps things visually fun and flavorful.

Carrots: Sweet, crisp, and colorful. They balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce and the nuttiness of the sesame oil beautifully.

Green Onions: They bring a soft punch of flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.

Toasted Almonds and Sunflower Seeds: These give the salad that toasty edge and satisfying crunch that makes every forkful feel complete.

Ramen Noodles: Yep, raw and crushed. They soak up the dressing just enough to become the best surprise crunch in this healthy cabbage recipe.

Sesame Oil and Soy Sauce: This duo is where the flavor magic happens—nutty, salty, and just rich enough to pull everything together.

Rice Vinegar and Sugar: Sweet meets tangy here, rounding out the dressing so it feels balanced.

Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper: The trio that ties it all together. Just a little bit makes everything pop.

4) How to Make Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad

Step 1. Grab a big mixing bowl. Toss in your napa cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Mix them gently with your hands to wake up those colors and textures.

Step 2. Add your toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, and crushed ramen noodles. This is when the fun begins—the sounds of that crunch mixing are oddly satisfying.

Step 3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Give it a taste. Adjust it to your liking—maybe a bit more vinegar if you want tang or a touch more sugar if you like balance.

Step 4. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mix. Toss it until everything looks glossy and evenly coated. Don’t rush this part. Let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes so the flavors can really come together. This is when the lettuce salad recipes magic happens.

Step 5. Give it a final toss before serving and enjoy that perfect combination of crunch and freshness. I like it chilled, but it’s just as good at room temperature.

5) Tips for Making Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad

If you’re like me and love texture, keep the ramen separate until just before serving so it stays crispy. This little move changes everything. You can make the dressing in advance too—it’ll last in the fridge for up to a week.

When I’m serving guests, I toast the almonds right before mixing the salad. That warm, nutty smell makes people wander into the kitchen asking, “What’s that?” And it gives the salad a just-made feel even if you prepped the veggies earlier.

If you’re trying new healthy cabbage recipes, this is the one to start with. It’s forgiving, fun, and adaptable. Add some shredded chicken for protein or a splash of lime juice for brightness. You’re in charge here. Recipes like this remind me why simple food works best.

6) Making Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad Ahead of Time

This salad loves being made ahead. In fact, I think it gets better after sitting a bit. The dressing softens the cabbage just enough to make it tender but still crisp. If I know I’ll be busy later, I prep everything in the morning and toss it all together before dinner.

Keep the dressing and crunchy bits separate until the last minute. That way, nothing goes soggy. I’ve learned this trick the hard way after once serving what could only be described as “cabbage mush.” Don’t be like me—wait until serving time.

It’s perfect for meal prep too. I’ll portion it into containers for quick weekday lunches. Every time I open one, the smell of sesame and vinegar hits me, and suddenly, lunch feels special.

7) Storing Leftover Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad

Got leftovers? Lucky you. Store them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. The salad stays fresh for up to three days, and the flavor keeps developing in the best way. It’s one of those vegetable salad recipes that doesn’t mind being a day old.

If the noodles lose their crunch, just sprinkle in a few fresh ones before serving. It’s a small fix that brings it right back to life. I’ve even added some diced avocado or grilled tofu to leftovers for a more filling meal.

Trust me, this salad never feels like a repeat. It’s one of those dishes that age gracefully—and in the salad world, that’s saying something.

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9) Addictive Asian Cabbage Salad