Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw Fresh and Flavorful Recipe

August 13, 2025 by Nora

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Are you ready to brighten up your meal with a burst of flavor? This Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw is not only fresh and crunchy but also super easy to make! Packed with vibrant veggies, toasted sesame seeds, and a tangy dressing, this slaw is perfect as a side or a light main dish. Join me as we dive into this delicious recipe that’s sure to impress your taste buds and your guests!

Ingredients

Fresh Vegetables

4 cups green cabbage, shredded
1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
1 cup carrots, grated
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cucumber, julienned
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Jump to Recipe

Crunchy Add-Ins

1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup slivered almonds

Dressing Components

1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup sesame oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon grated ginger
Salt and pepper to taste

Gathering fresh ingredients is a key step in making Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw. Start with a mix of vibrant cabbages. The green cabbage adds crispness, while the purple cabbage gives color and crunch. Next, grate the carrots for sweetness and texture. The red bell pepper brings a sweet crunch, and the cucumber adds refreshing juiciness.

Don’t forget green onions and cilantro for bright flavors. These herbs enhance the slaw with freshness.

For the crunch factor, toasted sesame seeds and slivered almonds provide delightful bites. They add nutty notes that balance the fresh veggies.

Now, let’s talk dressing. Rice vinegar gives a tangy kick. Sesame oil adds depth with its rich flavor. Soy sauce or tamari brings umami, while honey or maple syrup sweetens the mix. Grated ginger adds warmth, while a pinch of salt and pepper rounds everything out.

Each ingredient plays a role in creating a balanced and tasty slaw. The right mix of fresh vegetables, crunchy add-ins, and flavorful dressing makes this slaw a standout dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Vegetables

Step 1: Combine the shredded cabbages, grated carrots, sliced bell pepper, and julienned cucumber in a large mixing bowl. This mix gives a great crunch and color.
Step 2: Add chopped green onions and cilantro for freshness. These herbs brighten the slaw and add a nice flavor.

Making the Dressing

Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, and grated ginger. This dressing blends sweet and tangy flavors.
Step 4: Taste and adjust the dressing if necessary, adding more sweetness or seasoning as desired. You want it to be just right for your taste.

Combining Ingredients

Step 5: Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to coat the veggies. Make sure every piece is covered for the best flavor.
Step 6: Add toasted sesame seeds and slivered almonds, and gently mix again. These add a nice crunch and nutty taste.

Final Touches

Step 7: Season with salt and pepper to your taste. This step is key for enhancing all the flavors.
Step 8: Allow slaw to chill in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before serving. Chilling helps the flavors meld together nicely.

Tips & Tricks

Enhancing Flavor

To boost the taste of your slaw, let it marinate longer. This helps the flavors become rich and deep. You can also adjust the seasoning and sweetness. Try adding more honey if you like it sweet. You can add more soy sauce for saltiness.

Serving Suggestions

For a great look, garnish your slaw with more sesame seeds and fresh cilantro. It adds color and texture. Serve with chopsticks to create an authentic Asian feel. This makes eating the slaw fun and unique.

Health Benefits

The ingredients in this slaw are good for you. Cabbage is full of vitamins like K and C. It is low in calories and high in fiber. Sesame oil has healthy fats that can support heart health. Eating this slaw is a tasty way to add nutrients to your diet.

Variations

Adding Protein

You can make the slaw heartier by adding protein. Cooked chicken adds great flavor. Tofu is a fantastic option for a plant-based choice. Chickpeas also work well and boost nutrition. Choose your favorite protein to enjoy a filling meal.

Spicy Twist

If you like heat, try adding sliced jalapeños. They bring a fresh kick to the slaw. You can also sprinkle in chili flakes for extra spice. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference. This twist adds a fun dimension to your dish.

Alternative Dressings

Switching up the dressing can change the flavor entirely. Try apple cider vinegar for a sweeter taste. Balsamic vinegar gives a rich, tangy flavor. Each vinegar brings its own unique profile to the slaw. Experiment with what you have on hand for new tastes.

Storage Info

Short-Term Storage

Keep your Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw in an airtight container. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. This way, you can enjoy crisp veggies and great flavors.

Long-Term Storage

If you want to store the slaw longer, freezing is an option. However, know that freezing can change the texture of the veggies. For the best taste, it’s better to enjoy your slaw fresh.

Re-serving Options

To refresh leftovers, simply add a splash of dressing. You can also toss in some fresh ingredients, like extra cilantro or green onions. This will bring back the crunch and flavor before serving again.

FAQs

What is Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw?

Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw is a colorful salad packed with fresh veggies. It features shredded green and purple cabbage, grated carrots, and crisp bell pepper. The dish shines with a tangy dressing made from rice vinegar and sesame oil. Toasted sesame seeds and slivered almonds add a delightful crunch to every bite.

Can I make this slaw ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this slaw ahead of time. Prepare the vegetables and dressing separately. Mix them together just before serving. This keeps the vegetables crisp and fresh. If you let it sit for 15-30 minutes, the flavors blend nicely.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe can be gluten-free. Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari has a similar taste but does not contain gluten. Check labels to ensure all ingredients meet your needs.

How can I make this slaw vegan?

To make this slaw vegan, swap honey for maple syrup. Maple syrup gives the dressing sweetness without using any animal products. The flavor remains delicious and fresh.

What other vegetables can I add?

You can add many veggies to this slaw. Consider using radishes, snap peas, or even shredded broccoli. Seasonal vegetables can make your slaw unique. Get creative with what you have on hand!

This blog post covered how to create a tasty Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw. You learned about the fresh vegetables, crunchy add-ins, and flavorful dressing. I shared step-by-step instructions to ensure your success. You also found tips to enhance flavor and ideas for variations.

In conclusion, this slaw is not just delicious; it’s healthy too. Enjoy making this dish as a side or main course. With a few tweaks, you can customize it to your taste. Give it a try and savor the fresh crunch!

$- 4 cups green cabbage, shredded - 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded - 1 cup carrots, grated - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced - 1/2 cucumber, julienned - 1/4 cup green onions, chopped - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped - 1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds - 1/4 cup slivered almonds - 1/3 cup rice vinegar - 1/4 cup sesame oil - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup - 1 teaspoon grated ginger - Salt and pepper to taste Gathering fresh ingredients is a key step in making Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw. Start with a mix of vibrant cabbages. The green cabbage adds crispness, while the purple cabbage gives color and crunch. Next, grate the carrots for sweetness and texture. The red bell pepper brings a sweet crunch, and the cucumber adds refreshing juiciness. Don’t forget green onions and cilantro for bright flavors. These herbs enhance the slaw with freshness. For the crunch factor, toasted sesame seeds and slivered almonds provide delightful bites. They add nutty notes that balance the fresh veggies. Now, let’s talk dressing. Rice vinegar gives a tangy kick. Sesame oil adds depth with its rich flavor. Soy sauce or tamari brings umami, while honey or maple syrup sweetens the mix. Grated ginger adds warmth, while a pinch of salt and pepper rounds everything out. Each ingredient plays a role in creating a balanced and tasty slaw. The right mix of fresh vegetables, crunchy add-ins, and flavorful dressing makes this slaw a standout dish. - Step 1: Combine the shredded cabbages, grated carrots, sliced bell pepper, and julienned cucumber in a large mixing bowl. This mix gives a great crunch and color. - Step 2: Add chopped green onions and cilantro for freshness. These herbs brighten the slaw and add a nice flavor. - Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, and grated ginger. This dressing blends sweet and tangy flavors. - Step 4: Taste and adjust the dressing if necessary, adding more sweetness or seasoning as desired. You want it to be just right for your taste. - Step 5: Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to coat the veggies. Make sure every piece is covered for the best flavor. - Step 6: Add toasted sesame seeds and slivered almonds, and gently mix again. These add a nice crunch and nutty taste. - Step 7: Season with salt and pepper to your taste. This step is key for enhancing all the flavors. - Step 8: Allow slaw to chill in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before serving. Chilling helps the flavors meld together nicely. To boost the taste of your slaw, let it marinate longer. This helps the flavors become rich and deep. You can also adjust the seasoning and sweetness. Try adding more honey if you like it sweet. You can add more soy sauce for saltiness. For a great look, garnish your slaw with more sesame seeds and fresh cilantro. It adds color and texture. Serve with chopsticks to create an authentic Asian feel. This makes eating the slaw fun and unique. The ingredients in this slaw are good for you. Cabbage is full of vitamins like K and C. It is low in calories and high in fiber. Sesame oil has healthy fats that can support heart health. Eating this slaw is a tasty way to add nutrients to your diet. {{image_2}} You can make the slaw heartier by adding protein. Cooked chicken adds great flavor. Tofu is a fantastic option for a plant-based choice. Chickpeas also work well and boost nutrition. Choose your favorite protein to enjoy a filling meal. If you like heat, try adding sliced jalapeños. They bring a fresh kick to the slaw. You can also sprinkle in chili flakes for extra spice. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference. This twist adds a fun dimension to your dish. Switching up the dressing can change the flavor entirely. Try apple cider vinegar for a sweeter taste. Balsamic vinegar gives a rich, tangy flavor. Each vinegar brings its own unique profile to the slaw. Experiment with what you have on hand for new tastes. Keep your Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw in an airtight container. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. This way, you can enjoy crisp veggies and great flavors. If you want to store the slaw longer, freezing is an option. However, know that freezing can change the texture of the veggies. For the best taste, it’s better to enjoy your slaw fresh. To refresh leftovers, simply add a splash of dressing. You can also toss in some fresh ingredients, like extra cilantro or green onions. This will bring back the crunch and flavor before serving again. Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw is a colorful salad packed with fresh veggies. It features shredded green and purple cabbage, grated carrots, and crisp bell pepper. The dish shines with a tangy dressing made from rice vinegar and sesame oil. Toasted sesame seeds and slivered almonds add a delightful crunch to every bite. Yes, you can make this slaw ahead of time. Prepare the vegetables and dressing separately. Mix them together just before serving. This keeps the vegetables crisp and fresh. If you let it sit for 15-30 minutes, the flavors blend nicely. This recipe can be gluten-free. Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari has a similar taste but does not contain gluten. Check labels to ensure all ingredients meet your needs. To make this slaw vegan, swap honey for maple syrup. Maple syrup gives the dressing sweetness without using any animal products. The flavor remains delicious and fresh. You can add many veggies to this slaw. Consider using radishes, snap peas, or even shredded broccoli. Seasonal vegetables can make your slaw unique. Get creative with what you have on hand! This blog post covered how to create a tasty Sesame Crunch Asian Slaw. You learned about the fresh vegetables, crunchy add-ins, and flavorful dressing. I shared step-by-step instructions to ensure your success. You also found tips to enhance flavor and ideas for variations. In conclusion, this slaw is not just delicious; it’s healthy too. Enjoy making this dish as a side or main course. With a few tweaks, you can customize it to your taste. Give it a try and savor the fresh crunch!$