Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing

This Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing is the perfect balance of crisp textures and bold flavors, making it a go-to side dish or light meal. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients and is naturally plant-based.

About this salad

This Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing is a vibrant dish that perfectly balances crispy textures and bold flavors. You can eat it as a side dish, a filling for spring rolls, or even a light meal. This is packed with essential nutrients and is ideal for plant-based diets. This salad is delicious, pretty, crunchy, and rich; it is amazing!

Tips for the Best Red Cabbage Salad

  • Massage the Cabbage: To achieve a softer texture, gently massage the cabbage with a little lime juice before combining it with the other ingredients. This step is optional and may depend on how soon you plan to eat the salad. If you intend to eat it within two hours, the salad will naturally become softer.
  • Customize the Crunch: Swap peanuts for cashews or almonds. You can also add crunchy baked tofu for extra protein.
  • Storage: This salad stays fresh for up to 2 days in the fridge, making it a great meal prep option. Store it in an airtight container and add peanuts just before serving to keep them crunchy.

Serving Suggestions

  • Tofu or Tempeh – A protein-packed addition. I love this salad with crunchy tofu.
  • Rice Bowls – Serve over jasmine rice for a complete meal.
  • Tacos or Wraps – A perfect filling for fresh tacos or lettuce wraps.

Best Peanut Butter for the Dressing

  • Natural Peanut Butter – Look for a brand with only peanuts (and maybe salt) as the ingredients. Avoid added sugars and oils for the best flavor and texture.
  • Smooth Peanut Butter – Ensures a silky, pourable dressing that coats the salad evenly.
  • Unsweetened Peanut Butter – Keeps the dressing balanced without being overly sweet. You can always add a touch of maple syrup or honey if needed.

Recommended Brands

  • MaraNatha – Smooth, natural, and made with minimal ingredients.
  • Santa Cruz Organic – Great texture with a pure peanut flavor.
  • Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter – Creamy and natural with no unnecessary additives.
  • Smucker’s Natural – Budget-friendly and widely available.
  • Costco brand, organic one is good.

Vegetable Variations for Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad

Crunchy Additions: Green Cabbage – Mix with red cabbage for a milder flavor. Jicama – Adds a crisp, slightly sweet bite. Snow Peas or Sugar Snap Peas – Fresh and crunchy with a hint of sweetness. Radishes – Peppery and vibrant, perfect for extra crunch.

Colorful & Flavorful Options. Mango or Pineapple – A touch of natural sweetness that complements the peanut dressing. Red or Napa Cabbage – A softer alternative with a slightly sweeter taste. Avocado – Creamy texture to balance the crunch. Add just before serving. Edamame – Boosts protein while keeping the salad fresh and filling.

Extra Greens. Kale (Finely Chopped) – Adds a hearty texture and extra nutrients. Spinach or Arugula – Toss in a handful for a softer, more delicate bite. Fresh Herbs – Extra cilantro, mint, or Thai basil for a flavor boost.

Why This Recipe Works for Meal Prep

Red cabbage holds well in the fridge, and the dressing keeps the veggies crisp and flavorful. Make a big batch and enjoy it as a side, a snack, or a main meal throughout the week.

A vibrant Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad in a bowl features sliced cucumbers, carrots, red cabbage, and peanuts, all mixed with fresh cilantro. To the side, there's a small dish containing more peanuts. The light marbled surface background enhances the colorful ingredients.

Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing

Alejandra Graf
This Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing is the perfect balance of crisp textures and bold flavors, making it a go-to side dish or light meal. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients and is naturally plant-based.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course salads
Cuisine Asian inspired
Servings 4 people
Calories 191 kcal

Equipment

  • Salad bowl
  • Sharp knife

Ingredients
  

For the Salad:

  • 4 cups red cabbage thinly sliced
  • 1 cup carrots julienned or shredded
  • ½ cup cucumber sliced into matchsticks
  • ¼ cup green onions thinly sliced
  • cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • ¼ cup roasted peanuts chopped
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds optional

For the Peanut Butter Dressing:

  • 3 tbsp natural peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tbsp lime juice or rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
  • ½ tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 small garlic clove grated
  • ½ tsp sriracha optional
  • 2 tbsp water to thin, as needed

Instructions
 

Make the Dressing

  • In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, maple syrup, ginger, garlic, and sriracha. Add water gradually until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.

Prep the Salad

  • In a large bowl, combine red cabbage, carrots, cucumber, green onions, and cilantro. Toss to mix.

Assemble and Serve

  • Drizzle the peanut butter dressing over the salad and toss until well coated. Garnish with roasted peanuts and sesame seeds. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld or serve immediately.

Notes

How to Store Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad

  • Refrigeration: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The cabbage holds up well without getting soggy.
  • Dressing Storage: If making ahead, store the peanut butter dressing in a small jar for up to 5 days and mix before serving. Double it if you want to use it for dipping or other recipes.
  • Keep It Crunchy: Add peanuts and sesame seeds just before eating to maintain their crunch.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 355mgPotassium: 535mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 6506IUVitamin C: 56mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 2mg
Keyword red cabbage salad

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.
Alejandra Graf
Latest posts by Alejandra Graf (see all)
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




0 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments