Asian Coleslaw – Sailor Bailey

My version of Asian Coleslaw is packed with a bright and crunchy mix of shredded veggies and topped with a flavorful sesame dressing. It’s super easy to put together and ready in less than 10 minutes. It’s the perfect side dish to make any day of the week!

This recipe has been republished and modified from my 2023 recipe.

Why Make Asian Coleslaw

This crunchy Asian cabbage slaw is like a traditional coleslaw with a twist. With flavors from sesame oil, soy sauce, and fresh herbs, you’ll have a side dish filled with a rich, umami flavor.

• Easy to make. You’ll only need to chop the veggies and toss everything together. Quick and easy!
• Make-ahead friendly. Make a big batch of this easy salad recipe, you can store it for days in the fridge.
• Packed with veggies. This recipe is filled with nutritious veggies and you can even add some more!

Asian Slaw Ingredient Notes

All other ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card towards the bottom of this post. 

Coleslaw:

• Cabbage. For a vibrant, crunchy salad, use both green cabbage and red cabbage. You can also use Chinese cabbage or napa cabbage. To cut the prep time, you can also buy a bag of coleslaw mix in the grocery store.
• Carrots. Julienne or grate them into matchsticks for the best texture.
• Cilantro. Adds a fresh, citrusy flavor. You can also use other fresh herbs like Thai basil or fresh parsley.
• Green onions. Adds a mild onion flavor with a bit of sharpness. 
• White sesame seeds. Adds a nutty flavor and a bit of crunch. Toast them lightly to enhance the flavor.

Asian Slaw Dressing:

• Rice vinegar. Adds acidity and a tangy flavor. Substitute with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
• Soy sauce. Has a deep, umami taste. You can also use tamari.
• Oyster sauce. For more umami flavor.
• Sesame oil. You can also use toasted sesame oil. This has a rich, nutty flavor, so adding a little bit of this goes a long way.
• White sugar. Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the flavors.
• Red pepper flakes. For heat, you can also omit this if you want a mild slaw.
• Garlic cloves. Use freshly minced garlic or garlic paste.
• Fresh ginger. Use fresh ginger or ginger paste.

Recipe Variations

Add more crunch. For more crunch, add chopped almonds or peanuts.

Add some protein.  You can add tofu, shrimp, chicken or beef to make it more filling. 

Dressing variation. You can also use a store-bought Asian slaw dressing or make my roasted sesame dressing. 

Steps To Make Asian Coleslaw Recipe

Step One. Combine the ingredients for the dressing in a small food processor. Taste and adjust as needed (add more sugar or soy sauce if desired).

Step Two. Combine the salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.

Step Three. Pour over sesame oil dressing on the salad and toss to combine. Serve the Asian style slaw and enjoy!

Asian Slaw Recipe Pairings

This delicious salad goes well with almost anything. I like to serve it as a side dish with my

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

You can make this salad up to five days ahead of time. Make sure to store any leftover Asian salad and dressing separately. Store the veggies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for five days and the dressing in an airtight jar for up to two weeks.

FAQs

Other Salad Recipes To Try