Artificial Flavors Free Pesto-Walnut Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
This crunchy, vibrant slaw is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at any table. Two types of cabbage and freshly grated carrots get tossed in a blender-made pesto dressing built entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients — fresh basil, raw walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. No packets, no flavor powders, no mystery additives anywhere in sight. Store-bought slaws and bottled dressings are notorious for sneaking in artificial flavoring agents, so making everything from scratch here is genuinely the smarter move. Toasting the walnuts before scattering them over the top adds a warm, nutty depth that takes the whole bowl up a notch. A short rest lets the cabbage soften just enough to soak up that bright, herby dressing without losing its satisfying crunch. Finish it with a handful of fresh parsley and you've got a clean, bold slaw that tastes far more impressive than the effort it requires.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the slaw
- 3 cups green cabbage, thinly shredded
- 1 cup red cabbage, thinly shredded
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and coarsely grated
- 3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ½ cup raw walnuts
For the dressing
- ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- ¼ cup raw walnuts
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Toast the 1/2 cup raw walnuts in a dry small skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 4–5 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer to a cutting board, let cool for 2 minutes, then roughly chop and set aside.
- 2
Make the pesto dressing: combine the basil, 1/4 cup raw walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast (if using) in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides once, about 30 seconds.
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