Make Ahead

Summer Napa Cabbage Slaw Mayonnaise

by:
October  4, 2022
4.6
7 Ratings
Summer Napa Cabbage Slaw Mayonnaise
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

Cooks often attempt to lighten up coleslaw by removing the mayonnaise from the dressing. But why take away the joy? Instead, lighten it by replacing the sturdy cabbage with crisper, featherweight napa cabbage. Here, sliced almonds and sesame seeds add a little crunch and heft, and ginger brightens up the dressing. Add as much mayonnaise as you like. A giant dollop, you crazy cat! - Amanda —Amanda Hesser

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1/2 to 1 napa cabbage, trimmed and very thinly sliced (about 8 cups)
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
  • 3 tablespoons basil leaves, thinly sliced (or torn)
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or lemon and lime)
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • Salt
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
  1. Combine the sliced cabbage, almonds, sesame seeds, basil, and scallions in a large bowl. Mix together.
  2. Whisk together the lemon juice, ginger, and mayonnaise. Season with salt. Gradually whisk in the olive oil until smooth.
  3. Pour most but not all of the dressing over the cabbage mixture, and toss until lightly coated with the dressing. Taste, and add more dressing or seasoning as needed. Feel free to add more oil or mayo if desired. Eat soon. The cabbage gets watery as it wilts.
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See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Hilary Becker
    Hilary Becker
  • Rhonda35
    Rhonda35
  • mayuchico
    mayuchico
  • Polly Husted
    Polly Husted
  • Amanda Hesser
    Amanda Hesser
Amanda Hesser

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

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17 Reviews

Hilary B.
Hilary B. June 14, 2018
Feeding extended family at the Jersey Shore and needed ideas for fresh slaw. This was easy and delicious - using what was available in fridge, I replaced basil with cilantro and omitted the sesame seeds. Lots of options for variation. Thanks, Amanda
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. June 14, 2018
Glad you went your own way -- it's meant to be flexible and I like the sound of your changes!
 
Rhonda35
Rhonda35 August 19, 2016
Skipped the basil and only used 1/4 tsp ginger, but otherwise followed the recipe and then used the slaw in grilled fish tacos - major yum!
 
Jenny
Jenny June 17, 2016
Sliced up some crisp apples in there too to add some more freshness and sweetness because I don't have basil and I tried mixing sesame oil with olive oil. Turned out great! Thank you Amanda!
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. June 18, 2016
Thanks for giving it a try! Bet the sesame oil was a good addition.
 
kimms32@gmail.com
[email protected] June 26, 2014
Being of Polish descent, my son and I love all things cabbage. I made this coleslaw and my son absolutely loves it! In fact, he asked that this recipe be the only one that I use from now on. ;-)
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. June 26, 2014
Great!
 
za'atar
za'atar July 4, 2013
Love the napa cabbage! This is a refreshing change of pace from more traditional slaws - everyone really enjoyed it.
 
baltimoregon
baltimoregon June 7, 2012
Nice! Just made, spiking the dressing with a splash of fish sauce and rice wine vinegar for added zing. Used fresh young garlic shoots instead of scallions. Chopped salty roasted peanuts and a little Thai chili would be nice additions. Thanks for the inspiration!
 
IthacaNancy
IthacaNancy July 30, 2011
I doubled the amount of cabbage, and used a cucumber-chili aioli instead of mayonnaise, and forgot to add the basil, so maybe I shouldn't even comment . . . but everyone liked it. It's nice it wasn't too sweet and the flavor was quite mild.
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. August 3, 2011
Glad you commented -- you should add the recipe to the site, it sounds terrific.
 
gaelc
gaelc July 10, 2011
Amanda...friends and I on an art retreat (with the emphasis on "eat") made your summer slaw and voted it one of the best of our 6 day stay. We used savoy cabbage because I thought the napa was a bit too "lettuce-y." Of course, it was fine. The flavor was so delicate and refreshing with the ginger, and the tiny amount of Hellman's mayo gave it all the creaminess it needed. Thank you so much!
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. July 10, 2011
Delighted to hear this -- and I'll have to try it with savoy. I love savoy and don't eat enough of it!
 
mayuchico
mayuchico June 27, 2011
I had a cabbage I have to use in the fridge, so I used it instead of napa. I also used cilantro, chopped hazel nuts. It still came out really refreshing and so summer!
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. July 10, 2011
Glad you liked it!
 
Polly H.
Polly H. June 26, 2011
Just beautiful -- and imagine the delicious 'crunch' as a well sharpened chef's knife slices into that cabbage. My cooking mantra is 'notice ALL the benefits of preparing good things to eat.'
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. July 10, 2011
Napa cabbage is very satisfying to slice because it's so light and crisp -- and you don't have to work all that hard.