10 Best Cabbage Salad Recipes With Plenty of Crunch

Slaw is great and all, but there are plenty of excellent cabbage salad recipes out there. 

And they’re all crunchy, colorful, and quick.

Cabbage salad recipes can include ethnic foods, coleslaw recipes, and more.

So for this list, I’ve pulled together 10 cabbage salad recipes that fit all three of those things! 

And if you came here looking for the secret behind KFC’s delicious coleslaw, you’re in luck because that’s on this list, too.

Keep reading for that and plenty of other amazing salad ideas. 

Best Cabbage Salads To Make All Year

1. Everyday Cabbage Salad

This recipe is just what it says it is: an everyday cabbage salad that goes well with just about anything.

It’s a simple mixture of shredded red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrots. 

In fact, it looks a lot like coleslaw, but it isn’t nearly as wet.

Instead, it is a genuinely crisp salad, though the homemade dressing does give it a nice, zesty kick. 

You can make the dressing beforehand and use it on anything, or you can whip it up on the spot.

But I don’t recommend making this too far ahead. It’ll go soggy if it sits too long.

2. Asian Cabbage Salad

Here’s an Asian salad with cabbage I know you’ll love.

It shares a similar red, green, and carrot base as the everyday variety above, but it’s a bit heartier. 

There are also almonds, thinly sliced bell peppers, fresh cilantro, and shelled edamame.

The dressing, too, is different. It has much more of a sweet and tangy Asian flair, which makes sense considering the name.

3. Mediterranean Cabbage Salad

Believe it or not, Mediterranean cabbage salad is even more involved than the first two!

It shares many of the same ingredients and contains radishes, fresh dill, green onions, etc. 

The dressing you’ll make for it is bright and zesty and uses a Dijon mustard and garlic base.

The lime juice lightens the flavor even more, and the red pepper adds a touch of heat. 

Overall, it’s a cool, crisp side salad that pairs well with most main courses. 

4. Sesame Lime Cabbage Salad

Taking only 15 minutes to make, this sesame lime cabbage salad is always a hit at most parties and outdoor get-togethers. 

It somehow walks the balance between sweetness and tanginess perfectly. And the sesame seeds and fresh veggies give it plenty of crunch. 

Like the other options so far, it tastes great with most main courses, but I find it particularly tasty served alongside barbecue. 

5. KFC Coleslaw

And here’s the cabbage salad recipe many of you have been waiting for – copycat KFC coleslaw.

It tastes so good that it’s hard for most people to believe how easy it is to make. 

There’s no cooking involved. All you’ll need is cabbage, carrots, mayo, milk, buttermilk, onion, lemon juice, sugar, onion powder, salt, and pepper. 

Simply mix everything in a big bowl then let it chill in the fridge overnight. 

Can you freeze cabbage in a creamy dressing? Unfortunate not. So be sure to make this fresh!

6. Indian Cabbage Salad

This gorgeously colorful salad has a lot more heat than the others on the list, but that doesn’t make it any less scrumptious. 

There are a few ingredients in this one that might be a little harder to find. But everything you need should be at your local Indian market or online. 

Like the others, it takes a minimal amount of effort and time to make, and it pairs well with most ethnic dishes. 

7. Apple Cabbage Salad With Walnuts and Gorgonzola

Of all the options I’ve given you here, this one is the most like a garden-fresh salad.

That’s because you’ll use an actual salad mix (and Napa cabbage) for the base.

To that, you’ll add sliced apples, baby carrots, fresh chives, chopped walnuts, and as much Gorgonzola cheese as you can stand.

Because it’s a “traditional” salad, you can use any salad dressing you like. But the apple cider vinaigrette pairs flawlessly with the cheese and apples.

8. Simple White Cabbage Salad

There isn’t much to this simple white cabbage salad – just white cabbage, fine sea salt, vegetable oil, white wine vinegar, parsley, and black pepper. 

It has a clean, mild taste and a crisp texture that goes well with practically anything.

Of course, there’s not much here to taste except cabbage and vinegar. 

So if those aren’t two things you enjoy, this might not be the cabbage salad for you. It’s certainly easy to make, though!

9. Spicy Mexican Coleslaw

Spicy Mexican coleslaw looks almost just like “regular” coleslaw. It includes shredded cabbage, carrots, and cilantro. 

The difference comes in the flavor. The cilantro makes it somewhat unique, of course, but it’s really the lime dressing that packs the most punch. 

And don’t let the name fool you; it’s not all that spicy.

It just gets a little kick from the cumin, but the lime, garlic, and other ingredients mostly mellow that out. 

10. Thai Cabbage Salad

Finally, Thai cabbage salad is another fantastic choice for those of us who enjoy our salads with a bit of an Asiatic flair. 

The dressing combines garlic, sambal oelek, fish sauce, lime juice, peanut oil, and coconut aminos. 

For the salad itself, you’ll need green cabbage, romaine lettuce, snap peas, carrots, red bell peppers, salted peanuts, and cilantro. 

Together, they’ll make a sweet and tangy salad that tastes great with anything but is hearty enough to enjoy on its own.