This Asian crunch salad has the perfect mix of veggies and a tangy ginger teriyaki dressing. With loads of buttery cashews, it's perfect on its own, or with chicken or steak.
I've had this salad on repeat for lunch and dinner for weeks. It's kind of a copycat Costco Asian Cashew Chopped Salad, but WAY more delicious.
I have a few secrets for making it loads better, and it's really perfect for picnics, parties, or as I said, a weeknight meal, on repeat.
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Make Asian Crunch Salad with Cashews
My Crunchy Asian Slaw Recipe has been a huge hit and family favorite for years. It's got a ginger sesame vinaigrette and sweet mandarins. This cashew crunch salad has the same vibe but is really its own thing.
Start with kale slaw. Yes! Kale. And add extra cabbage. I love using regular green cabbage in this recipe.
I use the kale and Brussels sprouts slaw from Trader Joes, but if there isn't one near you, you can simply use finely chopped kale.
Copycat Costco Taylor Farms Asian Cabbage Salad
You may love the Costco Asian cashew chopped salad by Taylor Farms. It's a salad kit that comes with cabbage slaw, dressing, crunchy bits and nuts.
The dressing is a tangy Asian sesame flavor and I've seen versions with almonds and wonton crisps, or cashews.
My cashew crunch salad is very similar, but I really think it's miles better!
I use a crunchy cabbage salad mixture, my Asian dressing is tangy and sweet without the sesame flavor, and with loads of colorful veggies and cashews it's really crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients for Asian Cashew Crunch Salad
Cabbage Salad Starter
You can use any slaw mix you'd like, or even make your own. That's the start for this cabbage salad.
I like the kale and Brussels sprouts slaw mix at Trader Joes, but have made this with other cabbage slaw mixes with the option of adding chopped kale or not. It's really versatile.
Tip: If adding kale or kale slaw to the mix pull out woody pieces and stems.
Colorful Vegetables
Keep it simple! You can purchase pre-shredded carrots and cut bell peppers, or prep your own.
I'm a huge fan of preparing salad ingredients ahead and storing them in the fridge.
If your slaw mix does't include purple cabbage, I love to add a few shreds for color, and thinly sliced green onions add extra flavor.
Flavorful Asian Dressing
I have a delicious Ginger Sesame Asian Dressing that I use on salads all the time. However, I wanted to make this dressing a bit more versatile.
While I kept the ginger and soy sauce in this Asian dressing, it doesn't have sesame oil, so it works really well with a variety of meals like picnics, BBQ, and on mixed buffets.
Crunchy Cashews
I love the buttery and slightly sweet flavor cashews give to this Asian crunch salad.
You can substitute other nuts in place of cashews. Try almonds, peanuts or pecans.
You can also add chow mein noodles, or crispy wonton chips if you aren't feeding a gluten-free crowd.
Tips for Crunchy Cabbage Salad
If you're making this cashew salad take note of some helpful tips.
Gluten-Free
This salad is already gluten free. Just make sure you are using gluten-free soy sauce or Tamari.
If you want to add wonton chips or noodles, the salad will not be gluten free.
Make your own slaw mix
No matter what slaw mix you use or make, you'll want 6 cups total for this recipe. I use 3 cups of a prepared kale slaw mix and add 3 cups of finely sliced green cabbage. You can use all green cabbage, mix in some savory or Napa cabbage, use all kale, or even a store-bought broccoli slaw.
Make it keto
This dressing has brown sugar to balance out the vinegar, soy sauce and lime juice. If you are on a no-sugar diet or insulin resistance diet you can use other sweeteners.
I use several drops of liquid stevia and add it to taste after I have left out the brown sugar. You can use a powdered form of stevia, monk fruit, or Erythritol. Just add it a little at a time to taste.
Serving this cabbage salad
Picnics and BBQs
This is the perfect to-go salad for a potluck, outdoor BBQ or pool party, and picnic.
I've got loads of BBQ recipes this salad is perfect with, and because the dressing isn't too strong on the Asian flavors, it is a good balance with any menu.
It goes with chicken (even a rotisserie chicken from the store), and holiday buffets.
Make ahead!
Assemble this salad ahead of time but leave the dressing and cashews separate.
When you get to your destination, or you're ready to pull it out of the fridge and serve it for dinner, simply toss in the cashews and dressing.
More slaw salad recipes you'll love
- Crunchy Chicken Noodle Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Shredded Carrot and Apple Salad
- Ginger Slaw with Sesame Chicken
Cashew Crunch Salad with Asian Dressing
Ingredients
Cashew Crunch Salad
- 3 cups kale slaw* (I use Trader Joes)
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup thinly sliced bell pepper (I use red, orange or yellow)
- ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions (optional)
- 1 cup coarsely chopped cashews
Asian Dressing
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- pinch red pepper flakes
- ⅔ cup avocado oil
Instructions
- Pick through the kale slaw and remove any large and woody stem pieces, leaving the tender leaves. In a large bowl combine the kale slaw, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, peppers, and scallions.
- In a separate bowl or dressing jar, combine the soy sauce, ginger, vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. Whisk or shake to dissolve the brown sugar, then whisk in the avocado oil. Set aside.
- When ready to serve, shake dressing to combine again if separated, and drizzle on about ¾ of it. Toss with the slaw and add ¾ cup of the cashews. Add remaining dressing if needed. Garnish with remaining ¼ cup cashews.
Notes
Nutrition
Try these finger-licking-good BBQ recipes
About Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.
Kandra Mills says
THIS IS DELICIOUS! The next night I use the salad on top of tacos, minus the dressing. Fam loved it!
Tara Teaspoon says
Fantastic to hear. Great idea use! It's seriously one of my fave salads!