South Beach Diet Asian Cabbage Slaw

Name: South Beach Diet Asian Cabbage Slaw
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ½ a small head of green cabbage (washed and shredded); 3 green onions (scallions, white and tender green parts only, chopped or ¼ cup chopped red onion); 4 tablespoons dark sesame oil; 4 tablespoons rice wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (or flax seeds)

This easy Asian cabbage slaw recipe uses just 5 ingredients and is deliciously light and flavorful. It’s also South Beach Diet approved, making it a great side dish to help you lose a few pounds!

This slaw is not your usual mayonnaise coleslaw. Made with cabbage, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and onions, this Asian-style slaw has a delicious flavor and wonderfully crunchy texture.

Periodically, I like to go on the South Beach Diet to lose a few pounds. Designed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, the South Beach Diet prioritizes whole foods, herbs and spices, low-fat or healthier oils, and good quality meats and vegetables. It’s naturally gluten-free, sugar-free, and generally lower-carb.

This cabbage slaw fits the South Beach Diet guidelines well and is so simple and nutritious that you’ll always want to serve it!

Why You’ll Love This Asian Cabbage Slaw Recipe

Tons of flavor - This simple Oriental cabbage slaw has tons of flavor thanks to fragrant sesame oil, crisp onion, and mild rice wine vinegar. It’ll become a regular in your meal-planning routine in no time!
Quick to make - After shredding the cabbage and onions, toss the rest of the ingredients together and serve. You can even use pre-shredded cabbage to speed things up!
Just 5 ingredients - Isn’t it nice when a recipe is so simple that you know immediately if you have enough ingredients to make it? With just 5 simple ingredients, you probably already have everything you need to make this slaw!

Ingredients

Green cabbage - Wash and shred the green cabbage. Napa cabbage is a great alternative.
Scallions or onions - The goal is to get a crispy, oniony bite. You can use either scallions or thinly sliced red onion instead.
Dark sesame oil - This oil has such a rich, nutty flavor that it makes this salad instantly delicious.
Rice wine vinegar - This mild vinegar is slightly sweet and has a pleasant acidity to balance the sesame oil.
Sesame seeds - Use sesame or flax seeds for color, crunch, and healthy fats.

Variations

Add more veggies - Shred some carrots or add a bag of broccoli slaw for extra texture. You can also use half-green and half-red cabbage for extra color.
Make it sweet - Stir in a little honey, maple syrup, or white sugar to make the dressing a bit sweet. This is best if you aren’t trying to follow the South Beach Diet.
Add more crunch - Finely chop peanuts or cashews to give this slaw another texture and flavor.
Sprinkle some herbs - This slaw would taste wonderful with freshly chopped cilantro and mint!

How to Make Asian Cabbage Slaw

Mix the cabbage and onions.
Whisk together the sesame oil and vinegar in a cup or small bowl.
Over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet until browned. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Add the seeds to the oil and vinegar mixture and stir.
Pour the oil and vinegar mixture over the cabbage and stir to combine.
Chill.

Expert Tips

Don’t rush - It takes time for the cabbage to absorb the vinaigrette. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Season to taste - You can easily add extra spices to the vinaigrette to give it extra flavor. It’d be delicious with some garlic or onion powder and a little salt and pepper.
Use a mandolin or food processor - The easiest way to prepare the cabbage is to slice it either using a mandolin slicer or the slicer attachment in your food processor. Either tool will make quick work of shredding half a cabbage.

Recipe FAQs

How long does Asian cabbage slaw or salad last in the fridge?

Store your leftover salad in the fridge for about 2-3 days to keep it fresh. After that, the cabbage will become soggy and lose its texture.

What’s the easiest way to prepare cabbage?

Cabbage is such a wonderful vegetable for so many reasons. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and lasts forever in the fridge. It’s also just as good raw as it is roasted or sauteed! This 5 ingredient Asian cabbage slaw is the easiest way to prepare cabbage. You just need to slice up the cabbage and greens onions, then toss them in the vinaigrette made with sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds. Just let it rest a little bit, then serve!

Are red and green cabbages interchangeable in slaws and salads?

Although they look quite different, red and green cabbages are very, very similar and can typically be used interchangeably in fresh preparations. The red color can spread a little bit, especially if the cabbage is tossed in a dressing at all, but the flavor and texture are the same. Feel free to use either one in this recipe. You can also use Napa cabbage for a lighter, milder crunch!

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