This vibrant Asian slaw is a refreshing and crunchy side dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses. It's a delightful mix of fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing that brings a burst of flavor to your palate. Whether you're looking for a quick salad or a colorful addition to your meal, this slaw is sure to impress.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in every household. For instance, rice vinegar and sesame oil are essential for achieving the authentic Asian flavor but may require a trip to the supermarket. Additionally, fresh ginger and cilantro might not be in everyone's pantry, so be sure to pick these up if you don't already have them.
Ingredients for Asian Slaw Recipe
Cabbage: Provides a crunchy base for the slaw.
Carrots: Adds sweetness and color to the mix.
Bell peppers: Brings a vibrant color and slight sweetness.
Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor.
Green onions: Offers a mild onion flavor and crunch.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor to the dressing.
Rice vinegar: Provides a tangy acidity that balances the dressing.
Sesame oil: Adds a nutty, aromatic flavor to the dressing.
Honey: Sweetens the dressing and balances the flavors.
Ginger: Adds a spicy, aromatic kick to the dressing.
Garlic: Provides a pungent, savory depth to the dressing.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the cabbage, make sure to shred it finely to ensure a delicate texture that will absorb the dressing more effectively. Use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for consistent, thin slices. This technique will help the slaw achieve a perfect balance of crunch and flavor.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
shredded cabbage - Substitute with shredded napa cabbage: Napa cabbage has a milder flavor and a more tender texture, making it a great alternative.
shredded carrots - Substitute with shredded daikon radish: Daikon radish provides a similar crunch and a slightly peppery flavor that complements the slaw.
sliced bell peppers - Substitute with sliced snap peas: Snap peas offer a similar crunch and a fresh, sweet flavor that works well in slaws.
chopped cilantro - Substitute with chopped parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery taste that can replace the herbaceous notes of cilantro.
chopped green onions - Substitute with chopped chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a direct replacement.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar umami flavor.
rice vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has a similar acidity and can be used to achieve the same tangy flavor.
sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a neutral oil substitute, though it lacks the nutty flavor of sesame oil.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and can be used as a direct replacement for honey.
grated ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used in place of fresh ginger, though it is more concentrated, so use less.
garlic, minced - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic, though it is more concentrated, so use less.
Other Alternative Recipes
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
- To keep your Asian slaw fresh and crisp, store it in an airtight container. This will prevent any unwanted moisture from seeping in and keep the vegetables crunchy.
- If you plan to enjoy the slaw within a day or two, simply refrigerate it. The flavors will meld beautifully, making it even more delicious.
- For longer storage, consider keeping the dressing separate from the slaw. Combine them just before serving to maintain the texture of the cabbage and bell peppers.
- When freezing, note that the texture of the vegetables may change slightly. To freeze, place the slaw in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Store the dressing in a separate container.
- Thaw the frozen slaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, drain any excess liquid and toss with the dressing before serving.
- For an extra burst of flavor, add a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and green onions just before serving, even if the slaw has been stored or frozen.
How To Reheat Leftovers
For a quick and easy method, place the Asian slaw in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small corner open to vent. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
If you prefer a more traditional approach, use a stovetop. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the Asian slaw and stir occasionally for about 3-5 minutes until it reaches your desired temperature. This method helps retain the crunchiness of the vegetables.
For a slightly different twist, you can steam the Asian slaw. Place it in a steamer basket over boiling water and cover. Steam for about 2-3 minutes. This method keeps the cabbage and carrots tender-crisp and preserves the vibrant colors.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Spread the Asian slaw in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This method can add a slight crispiness to the bell peppers and green onions.
For a cold option, simply let the Asian slaw sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully without losing the fresh crunch of the cilantro and ginger.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large mixing bowl: A spacious bowl to combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, ensuring there's enough room to mix everything thoroughly.
Small bowl: Used to whisk together the dressing ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic.
Whisk: Essential for blending the dressing ingredients smoothly and evenly.
Knife: Necessary for chopping the cilantro, green onions, and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
Grater: Used to grate the ginger finely for the dressing.
Measuring cups: Helps in accurately measuring the shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers.
Measuring spoons: Ensures precise measurement of the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and grated ginger.
Tongs or salad tossers: Useful for tossing the slaw with the dressing to coat everything evenly.
Refrigerator: If you choose to refrigerate the slaw for later use, this will keep it fresh and crisp.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-shredded vegetables: Use pre-shredded cabbage and carrots from the store to save chopping time.
Batch dressing: Make a larger batch of the dressing and store it in the fridge for future use.
Food processor: Use a food processor to quickly shred the vegetables.
Prep in advance: Chop the cilantro and green onions ahead of time and store them in airtight containers.
Ready-to-use ginger and garlic: Opt for pre-minced garlic and grated ginger available in jars.
Asian Slaw Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Dressing
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, and sliced bell peppers.
- 2. Add the chopped cilantro and green onions to the bowl and mix well.
- 3. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic to make the dressing.
- 4. Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss to coat evenly.
- 5. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.
Nutritional Value
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