This healthy asian coleslaw recipe is a tasty twist on classic coleslaw that is made with no mayo. Instead it uses a delicious asian dressing combined with mandarine oranges, cabbage and crunchy almonds for the perfect refreshing salad! This recipe is sugar free, paleo, gluten free, Whole30 and vegan!
Asian inspire recipes like the best tuna fried rice, din Thai Fung cucumber salad, the best gluten-free chicken pad Thai, healthy egg roll in a bowl and pad pak are some of my favourites because they always have such a unique flavour, which is why I can't wait for you to try the healthy Asian salad recipe I am sharing with you today!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe:
- It has the most amazing dressing that gives this easy asian slaw the best flavour! It is slightly sweet with just a little heat. The salad itself is nice and crunchy and fresh with pops of sweet citrus flavour from the oranges.
- The clean up for this easy recipe is so simple.
- It makes great leftovers so is perfect for meal prep and busy weeknight meals.
- This salad recipe is healthy, made with no sugar, Whole30, paleo, dairy free, vegan and gluten free!
- This homemade coleslaw is made with no sugar, no mayo, no fish sauce, no maple syrup and no soy sauce.
- This is one of my favorite recipes to bring to picnics, potlucks and barbecues. It's one of the best summer salads!
If you love asian inspired salads you will also love Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad and Thai stir fried vegetables.
Key ingredients and substitutions:
You should be able to find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store. For the exact measurements refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Coconut aminos - coconut aminos are used instead of soy sauce to give the dressing on this slaw that perfect asian flavour while keeping it soy free. If you do tolerate soy you can easily swap this for soy sauce instead. Most grocery stores carry coconut aminos in the gluten free or organic section of the grocery store.
- Cashew butter - to help give the dressing that delicious, creamy texture and nutty flavour. Instead of cashew butter you could also use almond butter, peanut butter or sunflower seed butter. Just be sure to use a smooth nut butter with no added sugars.
- Green onions - This is added to the slaw dressing to give it even more flavour. You could also swap this for white onion or sweet onion.
- Fresh ginger - this adds even more delicious flavour to this deliciously good salad!
- Fresh cilantro - this adds even more delicious flavour and texture to this asian cabbage salad recipe.
- Dates - these give the dressing just the perfect amount of sweetness while keeping it refined sugar free.
- Chili flakes - also known as red pepper flakes, these add the perfect amount of heat! If you prefer a more mild dressing you can omit these from the recipe, or if you prefer a spicier asian dressing, add more to the recipe.
- Mandarine oranges - you don't normally see oranges in coleslaw but these help give this coleslaw a fun twist and delicious sweet flavour.
How to make:
Step one:
First make the dressing by blending the dressing ingredients in your blender or food processor until they are smooth.
Step two:
Place all the slaw ingredients into a large mixing bowl or salad bowl.
Step three:
Lastly, for the final step, pour the dressing onto the salad and toss until everything is coated evenly in the coleslaw dressing.
Top tips:
- I use a pre-made coleslaw mix to save time, but feel free to shred your own cabbage and carrots to make your own coleslaw mix. You could use purple cabbage, red cabbage, Napa cabbage, or regular green cabbage if you shred it yourself.
- If you don't have a high speed blender such as a Vitamix you will need to de-pit the dates before blending them as other blenders aren't powerful enough to crush the pits and you would end up with date pits in your stir fry.
- One this recipe is made it tastes even better if you let it sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours to allow the flavours to become even stronger.
Variations and add ins:
- You can use almond butter, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of cashew butter to make the asian-style dressing for this recipe.
- If you don't like cilantro simply leave it out of the recipe for this delicious salad.
- Feel free to add other crunchy vegetables such as red bell peppers or other sweet bell peppers, snow peas, cucumber or celery to this Chinese coleslaw.
- Add sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for even more crunch in this slaw salad.
- If you are sensitive to spice, leave out the chili flakes from the tangy dressing or decrease the amount that you use.
- To make the dressing a little sweeter add 2-3 more dates.
- If you can't find mandarine oranges simply use another type of orange instead.
- You can use apple cider vinegar instead of coconut vinegar to make the dressing.
How to serve:
This tasty salad is delicious served as is, but feel free to top it with some extras such as fresh avocado, cashews, peanuts or sesame seeds.
This easy asian coleslaw is the perfect side dish for so many main dishes including healthy gluten free pad Thai, tuna fried rice, Bavette steak, air fried pork belly, low sugar teriyaki chicken and broccoli, and more.
You could add some chicken, steak or other protein to turn this crunchy asian slaw into a complete meal or meal salad.
How to store:
Once prepared, this coleslaw stays fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
If you would like to prepare this coleslaw ahead of time, simply made the dressing and store it in a container, and make the slaw and store it in a covered bowl. Then when you are ready to serve it, add the dressing to the salad.
Frequently asked questions:
This recipe will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. After that it would become really soggy.
Other recipes you will love:
- Kale and Apple Slaw
- Italian chopped salad
- Healthy Potato Salad
- Dairy Free Spinach and Artichoke Dip
- Healthy Sloppy Joes
- Healthy Broccoli Salad
Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!
Recipe
Healthy Asian Coleslaw
Equipment
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut aminos
- 1/2 cup cashew butter
- 1/3 cup chopped green onion
- 2 tablespoon coconut vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 8 dates
- 2x2 cm piece of fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salad Ingredients
- 10 cups coleslaw
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup chopped cilantro
- 3 mandarine oranges, peeled and broken apart
Instructions
Dressing Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into your Vitamix or other high speed blender.
- Blend well until smooth.
Salad Instructions
- Place all the salad ingredients into a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well until coated evenly.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- I use a pre-made coleslaw mix to make this but feel free to shred your own cabbage and carrots instead.
- If you don't have cashew butter you can use almond butter, tahini or peanut butter instead
- If you want a sweeter dressing add 2-3 more dates.
- This coleslaw tastes best if left in the fridge for a couple hours before serving.
Kathy
Delicious!!
Dr. Erin Carter
I am so glad you liked it!
Elisha Collins
5 stars!!!!!!
Erin Carter
I'm so glad you liked it!