Capsaicin Free Cilantro-Lime Edamame Cabbage Salad
This vibrant, crunchy salad is everything you want in a warm-weather bowl — layers of shredded green and red cabbage, tender edamame, sweet carrots, and a shower of fresh cilantro all brought together with a zippy lime and tamari dressing. The flavor is bright and bold without relying on any heat, making it a genuinely satisfying option for anyone who needs to avoid capsaicin. The dressing leans on fresh lime juice, grated ginger, garlic, and a touch of honey to deliver that punchy, complex flavor you'd normally expect from a spicier profile. Note that the recipe does include optional red pepper flakes — simply leave those out and every other component is naturally free of chili heat. A short rest after tossing lets the cabbage soften just enough to soak up all that tangy dressing, so the salad tastes even better after a few minutes on the counter. Dry-roasted sunflower seeds scattered over the top add a satisfying crunch that makes this feel like a complete, restaurant-worthy dish. It's the kind of salad that converts skeptics — fresh, filling, and packed with texture in every single bite.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 3 cups green cabbage, thinly shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage, thinly shredded
- 1 ½ cups shelled edamame, thawed if frozen
- 2 medium carrots, julienned or coarsely grated
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced (green parts only)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dry-roasted sunflower seeds
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp tamari
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Can be omittedred pepper flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, edamame, carrots, scallion greens, and cilantro.
- 2
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, tamari, honey, grated ginger, grated garlic, and red pepper flakes, if using, until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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