Easy Napa Cabbage Salad
- PREP 15min
- TOTAL 15min
It’s hard to stop eating this Napa cabbage salad with toasted sesame oil and garlic. Think of it as a light-on-its-feet, crispy side perfect for richer, umami-rich dishes like grilled steak, baked pork chops, teriyaki chicken, my favorite baked tofu, or grilled swordfish. This salad never overpowers! Instead, it adds a lovely crisp, savory, fresh bite that truly works well with so many things. While Napa cabbage is perfect for this recipe, feel free to substitute other varieties of cabbage if that’s what you have on hand.
You Will Need
Half of a large head Napa Cabbage, about 1 pound, about 8 cups sliced
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 ½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil, or more to taste
1 medium garlic clove, finely grated, about 1/4 teaspoon grated
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Directions
Prepare the cabbage: Remove the core of the cabbage. Cut lengthwise into 1-inch ribbons, then slice crosswise into 1-inch thick pieces. Rinse under cool water and pat very dry or spin dry using a salad spinner (wet cabbage will water down the salad).
Toast the sesame seeds: Add the sesame seeds to a small skillet over medium-low heat and toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
Make the salad: In a large bowl, add the cabbage, toasted sesame seeds, 1 ½ tablespoons of toasted sesame oil, the grated garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and thinly sliced green onions. Toss and lightly massage everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust with more salt or sesame oil if needed. As the cabbage is massaged and sits with the salt, it will reduce in size.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Storing: The Napa cabbage is at its crispiest when served right away, but this salad will keep well in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Beyond that, the cabbage may become too soft.
- The nutritional information provided are estimates.