Napa Cabbage Salad Recipe

NAPA CABBAGE: A mild, crunchy cabbage that’s softer and lighter than regular cabbage, perfect for salads.

CARROTS: Adds sweetness and color when julienned into thin strips.

GREEN ONIONS: Gives a fresh, mild onion flavor and a bit of crunch.

CILANTRO: Adds a bright, herbal note that lifts the whole salad.

RICE VINEGAR: A mild vinegar with a slightly sweet taste, great for salad dressings.

SOY SAUCE: Brings a salty, umami flavor that balances the sweetness.

SESAME OIL: Adds a rich, nutty aroma and taste.

HONEY: Sweetens the dressing naturally and balances the tang.

TOASTED SESAME SEEDS: Adds crunch and a toasty flavor on top.

One of the most helpful moves in this Napa cabbage salad recipe is how to whisk the dressing ingredients together without making a mess. Whisking might sound simple, but if you’re not careful, the liquid can splash out of the bowl and onto your counter or clothes. Here’s a quick way to keep things neat and smooth:

1. Use a small bowl that’s deep enough so the liquid won’t spill over easily.
2. Hold the bowl steady with one hand, and with the other, use a whisk or a fork to mix.
3. Start whisking slowly in a circular motion to combine the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey.
4. Once the ingredients start to blend, you can whisk a little faster, but keep the whisk mostly inside the bowl.
5. If you want, tilt the bowl slightly toward you to keep the liquid away from the edges.

Doing this makes the dressing smooth and well mixed, which means every bite of your salad will have the perfect balance of flavors. Plus, it saves you from cleaning up splashes later!

When I first tried whisking dressings, I was so excited that I whisked too fast right away, and yep—vinegar went flying! Now I always start slow and steady. Also, if you don’t have a whisk, a fork works just fine and is easier to control. It’s a little trick that makes putting together this fresh, crunchy Napa cabbage salad even more fun.

• napa cabbage - Substitute with savoy cabbage: Savoy cabbage has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a good alternative.

• julienned carrots - Substitute with julienned bell peppers: Bell peppers provide a similar crunch and a sweet flavor that complements the salad.

• sliced green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a mild onion flavor that can replace green onions in salads.

• chopped cilantro - Substitute with flat-leaf parsley: Flat-leaf parsley has a fresh, slightly peppery taste that can stand in for cilantro.

• rice vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has a similar acidity and can provide a slightly fruity note.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that offers a similar umami flavor.

• sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used for its rich texture, though it will lack the nutty flavor of sesame oil.

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and can be used as a natural sweetener.

• toasted sesame seeds - Substitute with toasted sunflower seeds: Toasted sunflower seeds offer a similar crunch and nutty flavor.

• To store your napa cabbage salad, place it in an airtight container. This will help maintain its crispness and prevent it from absorbing other odors in the fridge.
• Keep the salad in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 3 days. However, for the best texture and flavor, try to consume it within 24 hours.
• If you plan to make the salad ahead of time, store the dressing separately from the vegetables. Combine them just before serving to ensure the salad remains crunchy.
• For freezing, note that napa cabbage and other vegetables in the salad may lose their crisp texture. It's generally not recommended to freeze this salad as it can become soggy upon thawing.
• If you must freeze, consider freezing only the dressing. Pour it into an ice cube tray, freeze, and then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. Thaw the cubes in the refrigerator and mix with fresh vegetables when ready to serve.
• When storing, avoid placing the salad near strong-smelling foods like garlic or onions as the napa cabbage can absorb these odors.
• If you notice any wilting or sogginess, give the salad a quick toss with a bit of fresh rice vinegar and soy sauce to revive its flavors before serving.

• If you have leftover Napa cabbage salad, the best way to reheat it is to avoid direct heat, which can make the vegetables soggy. Instead, let it come to room temperature naturally. This preserves the crunchiness of the cabbage and carrots.

• Alternatively, you can lightly warm the salad in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of rice vinegar or a bit more sesame oil to refresh the flavors. Stir gently to avoid wilting the greens.

• If you prefer a slightly warm salad, you can place it in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it on low power for about 20-30 seconds. Be sure to stir halfway through to ensure even warming. This method helps maintain the texture of the Napa cabbage.

• For a different twist, you can transform your leftover salad into a warm dish by adding it to a stir-fry. Heat a pan with a bit of sesame oil and toss in the salad for a quick sauté. This method infuses the vegetables with a delightful warmth while keeping them crisp.

• If you're in the mood for a soup, you can add the leftover salad to a pot of broth and heat it gently. The Napa cabbage and carrots will soften slightly, creating a comforting and flavorful soup.

• Large mixing bowl: Use this to combine the shredded napa cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro.

• Small bowl: This is for whisking together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey to create the dressing.

• Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing the dressing ingredients until well combined.

• Knife: Necessary for slicing the green onions and chopping the cilantro.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for slicing and chopping vegetables.

• Measuring cups: Use these to measure out the rice vinegar and chopped cilantro accurately.

• Measuring spoons: These are needed to measure the soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey precisely.

• Vegetable peeler: Helpful for julienning the carrots if you prefer to peel them first.

• Tongs or salad tossers: Useful for tossing the salad to ensure the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.

• Serving bowl: A nice bowl to present your finished napa cabbage salad.

• Toaster or skillet: If you need to toast the sesame seeds yourself, use a toaster or skillet to do so.

Pre-shred the cabbage: Buy pre-shredded napa cabbage from the store to save time on chopping.

Use a food processor: Quickly julienne carrots and slice green onions using a food processor.

Make the dressing ahead: Prepare the dressing in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Batch toast sesame seeds: Toast a large batch of sesame seeds and store them in an airtight container for future use.

Pre-chop cilantro: Chop a bunch of cilantro and store it in the fridge for quick access.