Asian Salad is a coleslaw with vinegar and ginger dressing. For best results, make it the day before you want to eat it.

Asian Salad, a spicy coleslaw, is a terrific side dish for most meals.
Asian Salad Gets Better Over Time
This salad gets better and better as days pass. This spicy Asian coleslaw recipe is kind of a lightweight kimchee. Kimchee has a strong odor and flavor, but this Asian Salad is tasty without the acrid smell. Sprinkle the shredded cabbage with salt, let it stand for at least an hour with a heavy plate atop it to press out the extra moisture. Surprisingly, next you rinse it and pat it dry. You would think that would put lots of moisture back into it, but it doesn't. The salt helps the cabbage stay crispy for days on end. While you are waiting, mix up the dressing and shred the carrots. Then simply mix and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
What You Need
It's easiest to shred the cabbage and carrots with a food processor. Zip, zip, zip and it's done. You'll also need measuring cups and spoons, a knife, cutting board, bowls and a colander. I use ginger paste in my salad. It's super easy.
Asian Salad Recipe

Asian Salad (Coleslaw) Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ head purple cabbage or green cabbage
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more if you like it spicy
- 1 cup rice vinegar or 2 talespoons fresh, minced ginger
- 1 cup shredded carrots about 1 large carrot
Instructions
Clean and Shred
- Using the shredder blade on your food processor, finely shred the carrot, put it in a container, cover it, and refrigerate until needed.
- You don't need to clean the food processor between shredding the carrots and shredding the cabbage. The two ingredients get put together later anyway.
- Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage. Wash it. Cut it in half and remove the thick inner core. (Refrigerate the other half of the cabbage for another recipe.)
- Using the shredder blade on your food processor, finely shred the cabbage.
- Sprinkle the shredded cabbage with salt. Mix to combine.
- Place the cabbage in a colander with a lightweight towel on top. Place a heavy plate or some unopened cans of vegetables on the top. This will help press the moisture out.
- Put the colander in a bowl to catch the moisture, and set it aside for at least an hour (up to 4 hours).
- When the time is up, rinse the cabbage thoroughly and pat it dry with a clean towel.
In the meantime, make the vinaigrette.
- Mix the sugar, ginger paste, red pepper flakes and vinegar together until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the cabbage mixture and stir to combine.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 6 hours (longer if you can wait...it only gets better as it marinates).
Nutrition
Recipe Nutrition Information
This recipe is GF, DF, NF, SF, EF, CF, V, VG*
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Asian Salad Nutrition. Each serving is about ½ cup. Note: the salt content is not correct because you rinse most of it off.
Nourish Your Body & Soul
I encourage you to care of yourself by eating satisfying, nourishing food that is good for your body and makes you feel healthy. Protect your spirit by living authentically, moving your body, and taking time to replenish and rest. I think you might also like these recipes & posts from Recipe Idea Shop:
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Spicy Asian Salad gets better over time. Kimchi light.

Spicy Asian Salad you can make at home. You only have to wait a few hours to eat it.
*Allergen Key:
GF = Gluten free | DF = Dairy free | NF = Nut free | SF = Soy free | EF = Egg free | CF = Corn free | V = Vegetarian | VG = Vegan
Note: If you have serious allergies or sensitivities, to be considered free of these allergens, you need to use products specifically marked "gluten free," etc. There can be cross-contamination in facilities.
This post was first published on Recipe Idea Shop September 1, 2020 and updated April 22, 2021.
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