Sesame Free Asian-Style Cabbage Slaw

Total time30 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time0 min

4.9

(11)

This vibrant slaw delivers everything you love about Asian-inspired flavors — bright, tangy, a little sweet, and deeply aromatic — without a drop of sesame oil or sesame seeds in sight. That's a bigger deal than it sounds, because so many slaws and Asian-style dressings lean heavily on sesame as their backbone, making them off-limits for anyone avoiding it. Here, coconut aminos stand in for soy sauce and bring that savory umami depth, while fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and honey create a dressing that's genuinely complex and crave-worthy. Grated ginger and a pinch of turmeric round everything out with warmth and a gorgeous golden hue. The mix of green and red cabbage with julienned carrots gives you serious crunch and color, and the fresh cilantro and optional mint keep it feeling light and lively. A quick 10-minute rest lets the cabbage soften just enough to soak up all that flavor without going limp. It works beautifully as a side dish, piled onto tacos, or tucked into a grain bowl whenever you need something fresh and punchy on the table fast.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the slaw

3 cups green cabbage, thinly shredded
1 cup red cabbage, thinly shredded
1 cup carrots, julienned or coarsely grated
3 scallions, thinly sliced (green tops only)
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly torn

For the dressing

3 tbsp coconut aminos
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
¼ tsp ground turmeric
¼ tsp salt, or to taste

For serving

2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
lime wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, scallion greens, and cilantro. Toss to distribute evenly.
2
In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, melted coconut oil, grated ginger, turmeric, and salt until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is smooth.

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