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This cabbage slaw is a menu planning dream in that not only can it be made ahead, it is best made ahead. One day is perfect, but I have certainly happily eaten leftovers for a couple of days after that. 

Vegan Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw on a white plate.

The day of soaking in the dressing allows the crunchy vegetables—napa cabbage, bell peppers, and carrots—to soften slightly, and absorb some of the lovely flavors. Sesame, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and honey combine in a dressing that is both nutty and vibrant at the same time.

The colors are terrific, but you can change things up, such as using a different color bell pepper, skipping the shallots in favor of half of a red onion, thinly sliced (or yellow, your choice), using multicolored carrots. If you don’t have Napa cabbage, use whatever cabbage you have.

White bowl of Vegan Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw.

And while this salad is vegan, you could add some shredded or diced cooked chicken to this salad to make it a more robust main course salad. 

This goes with anything simple or anything Asian – it’s sort of a medley of Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian inspired.

This vegan Napa cabbage slaw recipe can be made ahead. Serve with any simple main dish or with any Asian dishes.

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Vegan Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw in a white bowl next to silverware and glasses.

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Vegan Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw on a table with greens, water glasses, and silverware.

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Vegan Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Sesame, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, honey combine in a dressing that is both nutty and vibrant at the same time.

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup less-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon agave or honey (some vegans don't eat honey, so choose the best option for you!)
  • 1 teaspoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
  • 1 head Napa cabbage
  • 4 carrots peeled and grated
  • 1 red bell pepper cored and thinly sliced
  • 3 shallots halved and thinly sliced

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl combine the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey and ginger. Add the cabbage, carrots, bell pepper and shallots, and toss to combine.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 1 day, or if you haven’t planned ahead let it sit in the fridge or at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving so the vegetables soften slightly and absorb the dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 299mg, Potassium: 442mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 5919IU, Vitamin C: 52mg, Calcium: 102mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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