This Asian slaw has become a go-to for me lately. I don’t know about you, but I get tired of eating the same old green salad all the time. So if you’re looking to spice up your salad game, then look no further! This easy, flavor-packed Asian slaw can work as a main course with teriyaki glazed salmon or katsu chicken. Even topped with crispy tofu! The slaw also works great as a side dish to accompany any Asian inspired meals you cook at home or alongside your favorite Chinese takeout.
I drew inspiration from the flavor profile of one of my all time faves – the classic Chinese chicken salad. I could eat Chinese chicken salad all day every day! In need of a veggie side dish to accompany my homemade Thai inspired udon noodle soup, I dreamt up the slaw while standing in front of the produce shelves at Trader Joe’s. That being said, I have some Trader Joe’s products included in the recipe. Easy substitutions should be readily available to you if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby. Here in Paso Robles wine country, my options are Albertson’s, Smart and Final, Food4Less, or Trader Joe’s….and Trader Joe’s is a 25 minute freeway ride away! I miss my neighborhood Sprouts Farmers Market in San Diego!! But thankful for you, Trader Joe’s. 😉
The Wine Pairing
Sauvignon Blanc and Austrian Grüner Veltliner are two wines that will best pair with my Asian slaw recipe. Crisp whites for a refreshing salad!
Sauvignon Blanc’s high acidity, tendency towards fruity notes, and trademark “green” characteristics will complement the nuttiness of the toasted sesame seeds and cashews very well. The fruit characteristics and acidity will work well with the cilantro and fresh lime juice in the dressing. If available, a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France could work best, as this region tends towards flavors of lime which would be perfect with the slaw.
Grüner Veltliner is a light and zesty white wine from Austria which also tends toward medium to high fruit and acidity. This wine pairs quite well with aromatic vegetables like the green onions included in the slaw. Grüner’s lemon and lime zest notes will accompany the slaw well.
Please enjoy my easy, flavor-packed Asian slaw recipe. Let me know how it tastes in the comments below or snap a photo of your slaw and tag me on Instagram (@palm.and.vine)!
A quick and easy Asian slaw to enjoy as a main course with your choice of protein or as a side dish to any meal featuring Asian flavors.
- 10 Oz Trader Joe's package of pre-julienned cabbage. You can julienne 1 1/14 cups of green cabbage on your own if preferred.
- 2 Persian cucumbers
- 2 green onions
- 1 tbsp cilantro
- 1 lime
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 handful toasted cashews
- 2 tbsp Trader Joe's coconut aminos. You can substitute soy sauce or Bragg's liquid aminos, but the TJ's coconut aminos have a nice natural sweetness.
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- salt & pepper to taste
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Toast 2 tbsp of sesame seeds in a dry pan on the stove over medium heat. Shake the pan consistently to move the seeds around. Toast until golden brown. Set aside.
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Rough chop a handful of cashews and toast in oven or toaster oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside.
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Wash all produce. Cut cucumbers lengthwise and thinly slice. Thinly slice green onions to include the white and some green portion of the onion. Chop the cilantro.
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Mix all ingredients together in a large salad bowl, including the rice wine vinegar, coconut aminos, sesame oil, and juice of 1 lime. Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add more aminos, lime, or rice vinegar as needed to suit your taste. Enjoy!
Pair with an Austrian Grüner Veltliner or Sauvignon Blanc - ideally from Loire Valley, Fr.
