Chinese Cabbage Salad with Sesame Dressing

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Let’s get straight to it, this Chinese Cabbage Salad with sesame dressing is crisp, colorful, and packed with texture in every single bite. Crunchy cabbage, sweet mandarin oranges, toasty almonds, and that sesame dressing? It hits all the right notes. And here’s the thing, this one actually stays balanced. You get bright flavor, real crunch, and a salad that feels like more than a side dish. (Honestly, I’ve eaten it straight out of the bowl for lunch more times than I’d like to admit.)

Ingredient Notes

• Shredded cabbage (red and green), the base that keeps everything crisp and sturdy
• Carrots, for color and a little natural sweetness
• Yellow bell pepper, adds crunch and a mild, bright flavor
• Green onions, sharp and fresh
• Cilantro, gives a clean, herby pop
• Mandarin oranges, sweet and juicy contrast (drain well so the salad stays crisp)
• Chow mein noodles, the crunch factor everyone loves
• Sliced almonds, toasted for extra depth
• Red onion, a little bite to balance the sweetness

For the sesame dressing:

• Salt + black pepper, to taste
• Garlic + ginger, fresh and bold
• Soy sauce, salty backbone
• Brown sugar, just enough sweetness to round it out
• Sesame oil, rich and nutty
• White vinegar, bright and sharp
• Canola or vegetable oil, smooths everything together

How to Make Chinese Cabbage Salad

This is one of those recipes that looks impressive but takes almost no effort. Chop, whisk, toss. Done. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements needed, see the printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Prep the Salad

Add cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, mandarin oranges, chow mein noodles, almonds, and red onion to a large bowl.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

Whisk garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, vinegar, and oil until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 3: Toss + Serve

Pour dressing over the salad right before serving. Toss well and serve immediately for max crunch.

Tips for Success

• Toss the dressing in right before serving so everything stays crisp
• Drain mandarin oranges really well to avoid extra moisture
• Toast the almonds for better flavor, it makes a difference
• Chop everything into similar sizes so you get a little of everything in each bite
• Taste the dressing before adding, adjust sweetness or salt as needed

What to Serve with Cabbage Salad

• Simple Roasted Chicken
• Baked Chicken Legs
• Oven Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter Bread Crumbs
• Oven Baked Ribs

Tools You’ll Need

You can keep things simple with this recipe, but using the right tools will make it easier and more consistent. Here’s what I recommend:

Large mixing bowl
This is where everything comes together, so size matters here. A bigger bowl makes it easier to toss the cabbage and dressing evenly without spilling.
👉 Get the one I use here

Cutting board
You’ll use this for slicing the cabbage, carrots, and green onions. A stable board helps keep prep clean and consistent.
👉 Grab it here

Colander
Important for washing and draining the cabbage properly. Removing excess water keeps the salad from turning soggy and helps the dressing stick better.
👉 Grab it here

Box grater
Useful for shredding carrots quickly if you don’t want to slice everything by hand. It gives a finer texture that blends well with the cabbage.
👉 See it here

Budget vs Upgrade

Worth the Upgrade:: If you make salads like this often, a food processor saves a lot of prep time. It can shred cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables in seconds, giving you more even cuts compared to hand slicing. It’s especially useful when you’re making larger batches or want consistent texture without extra effort.

FAQ

This Chinese cabbage salad brings crunch, color, and bold sesame flavor in every bite. It’s simple, reliable, and always a crowd favorite. The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

Variations

• Add shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken to make it a full meal
• Swap almonds for cashews or peanuts for a different crunch
• Use napa cabbage for a softer texture
• Add crispy wonton strips instead of chow mein noodles
• Mix in edamame for extra protein and color

More Recipes to Try

• Amazing Chicken Salad (with grapes!!)
• Perfect Egg Salad
• Simple Macaroni Salad
• Grandma’s Potato Salad
• Italian Pasta Salad

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.