This crunch cabbage salad is crisp, vibrant, and hits the perfect balance of tang and freshness. Shredded red and green cabbage mingled with fresh mint and a zippy lime-honey vinaigrette for a salad that wakes up your plate with color and flavor.
My mint has taken over my garden this year and I wanted to find a recipe that had fresh mint as an ingredient other than tea. Wow this salad was a hit with everyone. So fresh and crisp.
- gina
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Over the years I've learned that the best recipes are the ones you can toss together without a fuss. The mix of crisp cabbage, fresh mint, and a tangy-sweet dressing makes it the perfect pairing for grilled meats, baked fish, or even a hearty vegetarian main.
Serve this easy side salad alongside a bowl of white bean chicken chili, chickpea veggie burgers, sweet sour meatballs, or cauliflower chickpea spinach curry.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Raw Cabbage Salad Recipe
- Cabbage Salad Recipe Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Make Shredded Cabbage Salad with Mint
- Expert Tips for The Best Purple Cabbage Salad Recipe
- Salad with Cabbage Variations to Try
- Purple Cabbage Salad Serving Suggestions
- Shredded Cabbage Salad Storage Tips
- Shredded Cabbage Salad FAQs
- Easy Main Dishes to Pair With Crunch Cabbage Salad
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love This Raw Cabbage Salad Recipe
- This delicious cabbage salad is fresh and vibrant. It's bursting with color and garden flavor from simple, real ingredients, and made without mayo.
- The honey lime dressing is tangy with a touch of sweet and adds a delicious balance to the raw crunchy cabbage, just like this honey lime vinaigrette on kale salad.
- It's the perfect side for any meal and so easy to make. Just chop, toss, and you're done.
- This cabbage salad recipe is great for make-ahead meals. It holds up beautifully for hours, making it ideal for entertaining, picnics or barbecues, just like this crunchy kale salad recipe.
- Best of all, the leftovers keep their crunch!
Cabbage Salad Recipe Ingredients You'll Need
This is an overview - jump to the recipe for exact measurements!
- Cabbage: The star of the salad! A mix of green and red cabbage works beautifully. Thin slices keep the texture crisp without being bulky. Thinly sliced Brussels sprouts will work here too.
- Mint leaves: Fresh mint lifts the whole salad with its cool, refreshing flavor.
- Green onions: Adds a gentle onion flavor with minimal effort.
- Honey: Just a hint to balance acidity. Feel free to swap with maple for a vegan version.
- Fresh lime juice: Gives this lime-based dressing a sharp, citrusy zing that makes the cabbage pop.
- Apple cider vinegar: Can be substituted with rice vinegar or red wine vinegar.
- Sesame seeds and sunflower seeds: Give a little extra crunch to the raw cabbage salad.
For the Love of Crunch
Bagged cabbage might save a little time, but nothing beats the crisp bite and fresh flavor of cabbage you've sliced yourself into paper-thin ribbons. Totally worth the extra few minutes!
How to Make Shredded Cabbage Salad with Mint
Prep the Veggies
Add sliced cabbage, green onion, and chopped mint leaves to a large bowl. Toss in a large bowl and set aside.
Make the Dressing
In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice and zest, honey, garlic, and sea salt.
Toss Together
Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated. You can let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving so the flavors mingle.
Expert Tips for The Best Purple Cabbage Salad Recipe
- Slice cabbage thinly: Nothing like a big chunk of cabbage to mess up that perfect crunch! A sharp knife or mandoline helps keep cabbage ribbons thin and uniform.
- Mix up the herbs: Basil or cilantro can be swapped in for (or added to) the mint.
- Make ahead salad for on-the-go: Add the vinaigrette to the bottom of a large mason jar, add the shredded cabbage as your second layer, and sprinkle the sesame and sunflower seeds on top. Give it a good shake about 10 minutes before you're ready to enjoy.
- Chill before serving: A cold salad will give you maximum crunch.
Salad with Cabbage Variations to Try
- Add thinly sliced red bell peppers for extra color.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds or slivered almonds for a nutty crunch.
- Toss in a handful of edamame or chickpeas to make the cabbage salad heartier.
Purple Cabbage Salad Serving Suggestions
- Summer barbecues: Serve alongside grilled chicken skewers, veggie kebabs, or easy fish tacos.
- Weeknight dinners: Pair with my cauliflower rice stuffed portobello mushrooms or chickpea soup with sweet potato as an easy side dish.
- Picnics and potlucks: This cabbage salad travels well and stays crisp for hours.
Shredded Cabbage Salad Storage Tips
Store the raw cabbage salad leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days. Give it a quick toss before serving. Works great as a make ahead salad for meal prep as the cabbage tends to hold its crunch.
Shredded Cabbage Salad FAQs
Cabbage can be cut, washed and chopped ahead of time. Store the shredded cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days before using.
I love apple cider vinegar for its tang, but rice vinegar or white wine vinegar also work well.
Yes. Green cabbage is a little milder and slightly sweeter. You can use it one-for-one or mix green and purple for color. Note that purple cabbage can tint the salad once it's dressed, especially with acidic vinaigrettes. If you want to keep colors bright, toss just before serving.
Cabbage is a simple, budget-friendly cruciferous vegetable that brings crunch and fiber to a balanced plate. How often it fits for you depends on your overall eating pattern and any personal needs. If you have specific dietary questions, a registered dietitian can offer personalized guidance.
Absolutely. Shred the cabbage, massage the kale, and store them in separate containers for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep the spicy peanut vinaigrette in a jar in the fridge and toss right before serving. Add crunchy toppings like nuts or seeds at the table so they stay crisp. If you like it lightly marinated, you can dress individual portions a few hours ahead and refrigerate.
Coleslaw is usually very finely shredded cabbage with a creamy or sweet dressing and fewer mix-ins. A cabbage salad is more flexible: a mix of cabbage and other veggies or greens, a brighter vinaigrette, and add-ins like herbs, nuts or seeds. This recipe leans "cabbage salad" with kale and a zippy peanut vinaigrette. For peanut-free, swap in almond butter, tahini, or sunflower seed butter and use tamari for gluten-free.
Easy Main Dishes to Pair With Crunch Cabbage Salad
📖 Recipe
Salad with Cabbage, Mint, and Lime Dressing
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
Ingredients
Cabbage salad:
- 3 cups (300 grams) green cabbage shredded
- 3 cups (300 grams) red cabbage shredded
- ¼ cup (11 grams) chopped fresh mint chopped and loosely packed
- ¼ cup (40 grams) green onions finely chopped
Honey and lime vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup (54 grams) extra-virgin olive oil or neutral oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- zest from 1 organic lime
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Toppings:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the shredded red and green cabbage, green onions, and chopped mint. Set aside.3 cups green cabbage, 3 cups red cabbage, ¼ cup chopped fresh mint, ¼ cup green onions
- In a small bowl or mason jar, add extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, lime zest, honey, garlic and salt. Whisk or shake well until combined.¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil or neutral oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, zest from 1 organic lime, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 small garlic clove, ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Add vinaigrette to cabbage mixture and toss well. Top with sesame seeds and sunflower seeds, toss gently to combine.1 tablespoon sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
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Notes
- Let dressed salad sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the cabbage to take on all the bright flavors.
- Store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Works great as a make ahead salad for meal prep as the cabbage tends to hold its crunch.
- Slice your own cabbage, rather than buy pre-chopped cabbage, for the best texture and flavor.
Gina says
My mint has taken over my garden this year and I wanted to find a recipe that had fresh mint as an ingredient other than tea. Wow this salad was a hit with everyone. So fresh and crisp.
Jacqui Wilson says
So glad you liked it! Fresh mint brighten everything up!
Pamela Dilawri says
Love this! Nice and crunchy. The dressing with the mint is a beautiful combination of fresh and tangy. Taking it to my next potluck !