Mushroom Free Pesto-Walnut Cabbage and Carrot Slaw
Crunchy, vibrant, and packed with bold herby flavor, this slaw is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at any table. Two types of cabbage and freshly grated carrots form the base, giving you that satisfying crunch in every forkful. The real magic is the homemade pesto dressing — blended from fresh basil, raw walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic — which coats every shred in something far more interesting than your average coleslaw dressing. Toasting the walnuts before scattering them on top adds a warm, nutty depth that makes the whole dish feel considered and crave-worthy. Because everything here is built from whole, straightforward ingredients, there's no need to scan labels or second-guess what's hiding in a store-bought dressing. A short rest after tossing lets the cabbage soften just enough to soak up all that garlicky, lemony goodness without losing its bite. Finish it with a handful of fresh parsley and you've got a slaw that's genuinely exciting to eat.
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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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