Asian Slaw Recipe (with Creamy Peanut Dressing!) - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published May 5, 2016. Updated May 14, 2019

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ThisAsian Slawis packed with crisp veggies and fresh cilantro and is tossed in a creamy Thai peanut dressing. This is the perfect side dish for grilled chicken or shrimp, and it’s so easy to make!

Asian Slaw Recipe (with Creamy Peanut Dressing!) - Cooking Classy (1)

Asian Slaw with Peanut Dressing

Crisp cabbage salads/slaws are the best! I’ve always loved coleslaw, and this is basically a Thai spin on American coleslaw.

Yes, it tastes entirely different but in such a good way! I’ll eat just about anything when it’s covered in a Thai peanut sauce.

I absolutely love the blend of flavors and textures here with the fresh cilantro and green onions, the crisp bell peppers and cabbage, the crunchy carrots, and that incredibly simple yet addictive slightly sweet, slightly sour,slightly salty, creamy peanut sauce.

This is the perfect side dish to your favorite Asian chicken recipes. Toss in some grilled chicken breasts and serve it up for lunch. Either way it’s going to be a win!

Asian Slaw Ingredients

For the Asian slaw base, you’ll need:

  • Shredded cabbage
  • Matchstick carrots
  • Bell pepper
  • Green onions
  • Cilantro

And for the creamy Thai peanut dressing, you’ll need:

  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Lime juice
  • Rice vinegar
  • Soy sauce
  • Honey
  • Brown sugar
  • Sesame oil
  • Sriracha
  • Ginger
  • Garlic

Asian Slaw Recipe (with Creamy Peanut Dressing!) - Cooking Classy (2)

How to Make Asian Slaw

  • Prep the veggies, then add to a large salad bowl and toss to combine.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Asian slaw dressing ingredients. Pour over veggies.
  • Toss slaw to distribute the dressing, then garnish with sesame seeds.

Can I Make This Slaw in Advance?

I wouldn’t recommend tossing the slaw with the dressing until you’re ready to eat it, just because the cabbage gets soggy as it sits in the dressing. If you want to prep this slaw in advance, I recommend tossing the vegetables together and storing them separately from the dressing. Simply combine everything once you’re ready to enjoy!

Is There a Peanut Butter Substitute I Can Use?

If you’re allergic to peanuts, you may be able to substitute tahini in the Asian slaw dressing. I haven’t tried this myself, but I’ve had readers report success with this substitution. Obviously, the flavor will be totally different from the recipe I made, but I think the slaw would still taste good.

Asian Slaw Recipe (with Creamy Peanut Dressing!) - Cooking Classy (3)

Tips for the Best Asian Slaw

  • You don’t have to toast the sesame seeds before garnishing the slaw (although you totally can if you prefer the flavor of toasted sesame seeds!).
  • If you have a sesame allergy, you can omit the sesame oil in the dressing. The flavor won’t be quite as deep, but it will still be delicious.
  • You could make this slaw a meal by adding grilled chicken to it.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Classic Coleslaw
  • Garden Veggie Pasta Salad
  • Greek Orzo Salad
  • Cowboy Caviar
  • Quinoa, Black Bean and Mango Salad
  • Broccoli Apple Salad

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Asian Slaw Recipe (with Creamy Peanut Dressing!) - Cooking Classy (4)

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Asian Slaw with Peanut Dressing

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A delicious Thai-inspired slaw salad made with crisp shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper. It's tossed with a flavorful, creamy peanut dressing and served cold.

Servings: 6

Prep15 minutes minutes

Ready in: 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Salad

Dressing

Instructions

  • Add all salad ingredients to a a medium salad bowl and toss. In a mixing bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients until well combined (if needed you can season with a little salt).

  • Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

  • You can make the salad and dressing portion ahead of time, just refrigerate both separately and add dressing when ready to serve.Also, don't add the dressing to the full portion if you don't plan to eat it all right away, just add to individual servings.
  • Recipe source: inspired by Once Upon a Chef

Nutrition Facts

Asian Slaw with Peanut Dressing

Amount Per Serving

Calories 169Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 369mg16%

Potassium 365mg10%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 4555IU91%

Vitamin C 62.6mg76%

Calcium 51mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Thai

Keyword: Asian Salad, Peanut Dressing

Author: Jaclyn

Asian Slaw Recipe (with Creamy Peanut Dressing!) - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

The real difference is that the raw, chopped vegetables in coleslaw are primarily cabbage: Napa, red, savoy, or bok choy. Slaw without the cole can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage, including chopped or shredded broccoli, carrots, snow peas, jicama, and more.

How to make coleslaw Mary Berry? ›

Meanwhile, to make the coleslaw, measure the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard and garlic into a large bowl. Mix and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the cabbage, carrots, celery and spring onions and toss to coat everything well. Spoon into a serving bowl.

Why is cole slaw called coleslaw? ›

The term "coleslaw" arose in the 18th century as an anglicisation of the Dutch term "koolsla" ("kool" in Dutch sounds like "cole") meaning "cabbage salad". The "cole" part of the word ultimately derives from the Latin caulis, meaning cabbage.

What to add to coleslaw reddit? ›

I combine the cabbage/carrot mixture with some finely chopped onion. My dressing is a mixture of mayo and sour cream, to which I add some Dijon mustard and garlic salt. I usually splash a bit of red wine vinegar in there. If I'm in the mood, I add celery seed, as well.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

KFC coleslaw has a sweet and tangy taste, with a creamy texture. The dressing is made with a blend of mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, sugar, and spices, which gives it its distinct flavor. The coleslaw also contains shredded cabbage and carrots, which add a crisp and fresh texture to the dish.

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Cabbage Core:Issue: The core of the cabbage can be bitter, especially if it's not removed before shredding. Solution: Ensure that you remove the core of the cabbage before shredding it. Cut the cabbage in half, then cut out the triangular core from each half. Old Cabbage:Issue: Older cabbage may develop a bitter taste.

Why does my homemade coleslaw go watery? ›

Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.

Why is coleslaw called John 14? ›

So familiar and faithful are we to this culinary combo that coleslaw is often referred to as John 14 – because, like the 14th chapter of the Gospel according to John, the cabbage salad is always present at important ceremonies. But just because we give food biblical names doesn't make it good for us.

What country invented coleslaw? ›

The dish was initially created in the Netherlands. In fact, the term coleslaw originates from the Dutch expression koosla, which means “cabbage salad.” Recipes similar to coleslaw have been found and used in American homes from as early as 1770.

Why did Chick Fil A stop serving slaw? ›

Chick-fil-A fans didn't take the change lightly and some still call for the return of the creamy dish. The chain announced on New Year's Eve 2015 that it was removing the side, citing an effort to revamp its menu and make room for healthier items. It left the menu for good on January 18, 2016, and has not returned.

How do you make Walmart coleslaw taste better? ›

Minced red bell pepper, minced dill pickle or cornichon, minced parsley, some sour cream, white balsamic and a little lemon juice to cut through the often way-too-sweet storebought stuff.

Is it better to make coleslaw the day before? ›

Store coleslaw in the refrigerator, covered, for up to three days. You can make this coleslaw ahead of time to help blend the flavors, but the dressing will become thin over time as liquid releases from the cabbage. Whisking in extra mayonnaise can help fluff up the dressing before serving.

Why is my coleslaw bland? ›

Neglecting to add enough spices or seasoning

Perhaps the recipe you followed is just inherently bland. If your dressing is already applied, you only have one choice left to turn your coleslaw around. You've got to add some seasoning or spice. Start by adding salt and pepper to taste.

What does slaw mean? ›

Slaw is a cold salad commonly made from sliced or chopped raw vegetables, especially cabbage or carrots, mixed with a dressing made with mayonnaise or vinegar.

What is slaw short for? ›

Slaw is shorthand for coleslaw, a side dish or salad that always includes cabbage and sometimes other shredded vegetables. Some slaw is dressed with vinaigrette and other types have a creamy or mayonnaise-based dressing.

What is coleslaw called in America? ›

US. noun. a salad made of shredded raw cabbage, often mixed with salad dressing and seasoning. : also cole slaw.

What is the difference between cole slaw and cabbage salad? ›

While cabbage salad often consists only of one vegetable seasoned and dressed, coleslaw can include a few other ingredients like shredded veggies, fruits, or seasonings to give some variety to the dish. While both feature cabbage as the star of the show, the different dressings set the two apart.

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