This Asian Cabbage Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing is a delicious and healthy Thai-inspired side dish. Loaded with fresh ingredients and big flavors! The spicy peanut dressing has a dash of honey for sweetness and a splash of citrus for a unique flavor twist. Serves 4 and ready in under 30 minutes! You can also find a honey substitute if you have a dietary restriction or allergy.

Why You'll Love This

This Asian Cabbage Salad recipe is one of our favorite side dishes. It's crispy & crunchy and totally perfect for spring and summer. The peanut dressing has that classic spicy flavor but with an added sweet and citrus flavor combination that compliments and pulls it together nicely.

The salad (or slaw) is made with cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, mandarin oranges, toasted peanuts, and cilantro.

The mandarin oranges add beautiful color as well as additional sweet and citrus flavors that pair well with the peanut butter and ginger dressing. Serve this side salad with chicken or pork, or use it as a topping on your favorite sandwich or wrap.

As you probably already know, cabbage is one of our favorite vegetables because it's versatile, healthy, inexpensive, and available virtually year round. You can eat it raw or cooked. Check out some of my other cabbage recipes: Creamy Cheesy Cabbage Casserole, and Egg Roll in a Bowl.

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This recipe is easy to throw together for a simple vegetable side dish to make any occasion special. Make it a meal by adding sliced grilled chicken! Great for meal prep!

Spicy Peanut Dressing Ingredients:

½ cup all-natural peanut butter
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons tamari or coconut aminos
1½ tablespoons honey, preferably local
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely minced
1-2 cloves garlic, finely minced
¼ cup liquid from Mandarin oranges

Asian Cabbage Salad Ingredients:

4 cups green cabbage, shredded
2 cups red cabbage, shredded
2 large carrots, shredded
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced thin
2 green onions (green parts only), sliced
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
¼ cup toasted peanuts, chopped
1 10-ounce can sugar-free Mandarin oranges (packed in juice)
1 tablespoon white sesame seeds

Directions for Asian Cabbage Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce:

Step 1: To make the dressing, combine the peanut butter, vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha sauce in a medium skillet over medium heat. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and heat, stirring continually, until the peanut butter melts and the ingredients are thoroughly combined, approximately 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Reduce heat to low and whisk in remaining dressing ingredients until combined. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until heated through, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Keep warm.

Step 3: Combine shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onion, and fresh cilantro in a large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and drizzle with a small amount of the warm peanut dressing. Toss to combine.

Step 4: Transfer salad to a decorative serving platter and top with chopped peanuts, Mandarin oranges, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with the remaining peanut dressing on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tamari vs Coconut Aminos

Tamari is soy sauce that's made without grains, therefore, it's a great gluten-free soy sauce alternative. Coconut aminos is a soy-free seasoning sauce that's a popular alternative to soy sauce for those who avoid soy. Coconut aminos are lighter in flavor than tamari, but are a great soy sauce alternative.

Can you Make Asian Cabbage Salad Ahead of Time?

Definitely! Can be made 1 day in advance. Make the spicy peanut dressing as directed, let cool completely, place into a sealable container, and store in the refrigerator. Combine shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper in a large bowl; cover and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, toss the dressing and salad mixture together. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and add the peanuts, sesame seeds, and cilantro leaves. Top with the mandarin oranges. Enjoy!

What Can you Serve with Asian Cabbage Salad?

The most common meats to serve with Asian Cabbage Salad are chicken or turkey, and fish (see my Easy Grilled or Broiled BBQ Salmon recipe.

What can you do with a Head of Cabbage?

Make a salad like this one! The ever so popular Egg Roll in a Bowl is always a delicious meal choice! Try this Southern Fried Cabbage recipe from Immaculate Bites....cooked with garlic and bacon....delicious!

Storing leftovers

Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids. Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon.

Other Amazing Recipes

Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup

Instant Pot Creamy Asparagus Soup

Easy Grilled Salmon with BBQ Sauce

Creamy Corn Salad

If you try this recipe, let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

Asian Cabbage Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing