Crunchy Sesame-Ginger Cabbage & Carrot Slaw

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Shredded cabbage and carrot slaw with sesame-ginger dressing.

CATEGORY:

Salads

Crunchy Sesame-Ginger Cabbage & Carrot Slaw

Cabbage and carrot stay crunchy under a sesame-ginger dressing with savory, tangy depth.

10 mins active, 20 mins total

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian, Pescetarian, Nut-Free, Egg-Free, Grain-Free, High-Fiber

JUMP TO RECIPE

PREP

COOK

INACTIVE

10 min

0 min

10 min

TOTAL TIME

20 min

COOKING METHOD(S):

No-Cook

Crisp, Tangy and Ready for Anything

This is the slaw I make when the main dish is rich, smoky, or saucy and needs something sharp to push back. Two kinds of cabbage and shredded carrots bring the crunch, rice vinegar and toasted sesame bring the tang, and fresh ginger adds a little bite at the end. It takes some shredding and whisking, then improves while it sits, so you can make it before the main dish is even in the oven.

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Dad Man Tips & Hacks

Shred the cabbage as thin as you can. Fine shreds soak up the dressing and stay easy to eat, while thick ones aren't as enjoyable to chew.
Toast the sesame seeds just until fragrant, then move them out of the pan. They burn fast and keep cooking in a hot skillet.
Keep the ginger in the freezer and grate it straight from frozen. No peeling is needed and it’s easier to handle.
Use the large holes of a box grater for the carrots so they stay crisp instead of turning mushy.
Rest the slaw for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the cabbage relaxes and the flavors come together.
Taste before serving and add a splash of rice vinegar if it has gone flat.
Pile it on tacos, rice bowls, grilled chicken, or fish for fresh, crunchy texture.

Substitutions

Maple syrup can replace the honey, which also makes the slaw vegan.
Soy sauce can replace the tamari, but it contains wheat, so skip it if the slaw needs to be gluten-free.
Coconut aminos makes a soy-free swap. Use a little more of it and cut back on the honey, since it’s sweeter and less salty.
Apple cider vinegar can replace the rice vinegar for a sharper tang. Skip seasoned rice vinegar, which already contains sugar and salt.
A bag of coleslaw mix can stand in for the cabbages and carrots when time is short (I won't judge you... too much).
Napa cabbage works too, but it releases more water, so dress it right before serving.
Toasted pepitas can replace the sesame seeds for crunch. The sesame oil has no true substitute, so a sesame-free slaw will taste milder.

Storage & Leftovers

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of serving, for up to 3 days.
Drain off any liquid the cabbage releases, then stir in a splash of rice vinegar to brighten it.
Keep the sesame seeds separate and add them at serving so they stay crunchy.
Skip the freezer, since the cabbage turns limp and watery.

Make It Ahead

Shred the cabbages and carrots up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate them in an airtight container.
Make the dressing up to 5 days ahead and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge.
Toast the sesame seeds up to a week ahead and store them in a sealed container at room temperature.
Toss everything together 10 to 15 minutes before serving, or up to a few hours ahead if you like a softer slaw.

A Little Food History

Slaw has deep roots in Europe, where cabbage has been a staple for centuries. The word “coleslaw” comes from the Dutch “koolsla,” meaning cabbage salad, and Dutch settlers brought the idea to North America. The sesame-ginger flavors here come from a different tradition, East Asian cooking, where rice vinegar, soy-based sauces, fresh ginger, and toasted sesame oil are everyday building blocks. Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce traditionally made with little or no wheat. Sesame is one of the oldest oilseed crops in the world. This slaw sits where those two traditions meet, with a bright vinegar dressing in place of the usual mayonnaise.

Calories	44
Total Fat (g)	1.6
Sat. Fat (g)	0.2
Trans Fat (g)	0
Cholesterol (mg)	0
Sodium (mg)	233
Total Carbs (g)	6.9
Dietary Fiber (g)	1.9
Total Sugars (g)	4
Added Sugars (g)	1.4
Protein (g)	1.4

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Crunchy Sesame-Ginger Cabbage & Carrot Slaw

Crisp, Tangy and Ready for Anything

Related Recipes

Dad Man Tips & Hacks

COMING SOON!

Nutrition Facts

Substitutions

Storage & Leftovers

Make It Ahead

A Little Food History

Crunchy Sesame-Ginger Cabbage & Carrot Slaw

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

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Crunchy Sesame-Ginger Cabbage & Carrot Slaw

Crisp, Tangy and Ready for Anything

Related Recipes

Crunchy Sesame-Ginger Cabbage & Carrot Slaw

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INSTRUCTIONS

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