Skip to main content

Thai Cabbage Salad

A great recipe is like a strong friendship—it gets better with age. Epicurious member Sooz Wolhuter of Laguna Beach, California, crafted this cabbage salad years ago, riffing on a coleslaw recipe. The blend of ribboned cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and green onions mixed with spicy soy and chile garlic is perfect for large gatherings. If peanuts aren’t enough protein for you, add some seared Ahi tuna or grilled sliced chicken to bulk it up.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 20 servings

Ingredients

For dressing

1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar or honey
1 tablespoon chile garlic sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 to 2 fresh serrano chiles, seeds and ribs removed, minced
1/2 cup vegetable oil

For salad

1 head green cabbage, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced
3 medium carrots, grated
1 medium cucumber, peeled and finely diced
1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
5 to 6 green onions (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced on a diagonal
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Preparation

  1. Make dressing

    Step 1

    In a small bowl or glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar or honey, chile garlic sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and chiles. Slowly whisk in the vegetable oil or, if using a jar, add the vegetable oil, seal the jar, and shake vigorously.

  2. Make salad

    Step 2

    In a large salad bowl, toss together the cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and red bell pepper. Shake or whisk the dressing thoroughly, then pour it over the salad and toss to coat the vegetables. Add the onions and cilantro and toss again. Sprinkle the salad with peanuts and serve.

  3. DO AHEAD

    Step 3

    The DRESSING can be made ahead and refrigerated, in the glass jar or another airtight container, up to 1 week. Whisk or shake before using.

The Epicurious Cookbook
Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
The secret to extra-fluffy stack? A splash of cold, bubbly seltzer.