🥒🥬 Cucumber & Chinese Cabbage Salad (Light & Refreshing)
This Cucumber & Chinese Cabbage Salad is a crisp, refreshing dish packed with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing. It’s light, crunchy, and perfect as a side dish for grilled meats, rice bowls, or noodle meals. The simple garlic-soy dressing adds bold flavor while keeping the salad healthy and fresh.
🥗 Ingredients
-
2 cups Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage), thinly sliced
-
1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
-
1 small carrot, julienned or grated
-
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
-
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (optional)
Dressing
-
2 tablespoons soy sauce
-
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
-
1 tablespoon sesame oil
-
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
-
1 clove garlic, minced
-
½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
-
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the vegetables
Thinly slice the Chinese cabbage and cucumber.
Julienne or grate the carrot.
Place everything in a large mixing bowl.
2️⃣ Make the dressing
In a small bowl whisk together:
-
soy sauce
-
rice vinegar
-
sesame oil
-
honey
-
minced garlic
-
chili flakes
3️⃣ Toss the salad
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss well until evenly coated.
4️⃣ Garnish
Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions, and cilantro.
Let the salad sit for 5–10 minutes so the flavors combine.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This salad pairs perfectly with:
-
Grilled chicken or salmon
-
Rice bowls
-
Asian-style noodles
-
Stir-fried vegetables
✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Fresh, crunchy, and refreshing
✔ Quick 10-minute recipe
✔ Healthy and low-calorie
✔ Perfect side dish for many meals
✔ Great for meal prep
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s best eaten within 24 hours to keep the vegetables crisp.
Q: Can I add protein?
Absolutely! Try shredded chicken, tofu, or shrimp.
Q: Can I make it spicy?
Add extra chili flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.
Q: Can I use regular cabbage instead of Chinese cabbage?
Yes, green cabbage works well as a substitute.
