Napa Cabbage Salad Recipe: A Crunchy Delight
Are you looking for the perfect crunchy and flavorful salad for your next potluck or family gathering? This napa cabbage salad recipe is the answer. Combining the crisp textures of fresh napa cabbage with toasted ramen noodles and almond slivers, this salad is not only delicious but also a delightful treat that’s sure to leave your guests wanting more. Above all, the bowl is always licked clean at potlucks, ensuring you’re bringing a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
What Makes Napa Cabbage Salad a Must-Try?
Napa cabbage is a versatile and nutritious ingredient, ideal for a napa cabbage salad recipe. It’s also perfectly okay to eat napa cabbage raw, which makes it an excellent choice for refreshing salads. But what makes this recipe stand out is its unique blend of textures and flavors, highlighted by crunchy ramen noodles and the nutty richness of almond slivers. Moreover, the added sesame seeds offer a mild, nutty taste and a slight crunch. Nutritionally, napa cabbage contains fewer calories and has more vitamin A concentration than its green cabbage counterpart, which makes it a healthier alternative.
Ingredients for the Perfect Napa Cabbage Salad
This delightful napa cabbage salad recipe serves six and is prepared with the following ingredients:
- 1 head of napa cabbage, chopped
- 1 bunch of minced green onion (scallion)
- ⅓ cup butter
- 1 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles, broken
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- ¼ cup vinegar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Steps to Make Napa Cabbage Salad
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process to create this crunchy, flavorful salad:
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your oven to toast the almonds. Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Spread the slivered almonds on a baking sheet and toast them for approximately 5 minutes, keeping a close watch to prevent burning.
- Next, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until fully melted. Add the broken ramen noodles, sesame seeds, and toasted almonds.
- Cook the mixture in the skillet until the ramen noodles turn golden brown, stirring frequently to ensure even toasting, roughly about 10 minutes.
- Slice your napa cabbage into thin shreds and place it in a large salad bowl. Add the minced green onion (scallion) and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, prepare the dressing by combining vinegar, vegetable oil, sugar, and soy sauce. Stir or whisk until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Finally, combine the toasted noodle mixture with the cabbage in the large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss thoroughly to ensure an even coating.
- Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to mingle.
Healthier Cooking Option
For a healthier twist on this napa cabbage salad recipe, you can reduce the vegetable oil used in the dressing or replace it with olive oil, which is high in healthy monounsaturated fats. Additionally, try reducing the amount of sugar or using a natural sweetener like honey for a lower glycemic option.
Why You’ll Love This Napa Cabbage Salad Recipe
This napa cabbage salad recipe is ideal because it’s quick to prepare, with a total prep and cook time of just 30 minutes. Moreover, the dish is nutritious, providing a rich source of vitamins from the raw cabbage and toasted seeds. It’s also incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of main courses or enjoyed as a light main dish. So, bring this delightful napa cabbage salad to your next gathering, and enjoy the compliments!
