Serves a Crowd

Ramen Cabbage Salad

by:
September 29, 2014
4
3 Ratings
Ramen Cabbage Salad
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 5 minutes
  • Serves 10-12
Author Notes

This is Americanized fusion at its finest. Dry instant ramen is broken up and used as a type of crouton in this shredded cabbage salad, and the sesame soy dressing is enhanced by adding the contents of the ramen seasoning packet. The secret to keeping the ramen and almonds crunchy is to dry toast them in a pan and mix it in with the rest of the salad just before serving. —Joy Huang | The Cooking of Joy

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 packet instant ramen (I usually use Maruchan's chicken flavor)
  • 1.2 cups slivered or sliced almonds
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 14 ounces bag coleslaw mix (I like to get the kind with green and red cabbage and carrots for color)
  • 4 scallions, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup canola, peanut, or another flavorless oil
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Directions
  1. Crumble the ramen into small pieces (I find it easiest to do this while the bag is still unopened). Save the seasoning packet for the dressing. Toast the ramen pieces, almonds, and sesame seeds on a dry pan over medium high heat until lightly browned. Set aside and let cool.
  2. Mix the coleslaw mix with the chopped scallions in a large bowl. Set aside in the refrigerator.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a small jar. Add the canola oil, sesame oil, and ramen seasoning packet.
  4. Just before serving, add the toasted ramen pieces, almonds, and sesame seeds to the cabbage mix. Shake the dressing and toss into the salad. Serve immediately.
Tags:
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • mrslarkin
    mrslarkin
  • Joy Huang | The Cooking of Joy
    Joy Huang | The Cooking of Joy
  • Nava
    Nava
  • Connie Tucker
    Connie Tucker

Popular on Food52

12 Reviews

Nava
Nava December 21, 2021
I've been comparing recipes of this type and I used this recipe mostly for the dressing and the lower sugar content compared to other slaws in this genre. I used some ideas from other Asian cabbage slaws to put my cabbage salad together. I made my salad with ingredients I had in my home: green cabbage, slivered almonds, sliced persimmon, red pepper, cilantro and red onion. As far as the dressing, I would modify it and put 1 Tbsp honey and add an extra Tbsp soy sauce (2 total).
 
Nava
Nava December 21, 2021
I want to add one more detail. A lot of the recipes call for chicken or some sort of meat. For our vegetarian household alternative I added a can of red beans and if I had them in stock, I would have considered putting shelled edamame.

(I omitted the Ramen and preferred lower sugar dressing because I am preparing food for people who need to monitor carbohydrate intake for health reasons)
 
Connie T.
Connie T. February 17, 2015
I've been making a similar salad but it includes chunks of sauteed boneless breast of chicken, yellow onions, and is refrigerated overnight to marry all the flavors. The ramen noodles "cook" in the marinade, of course, but it is so very tasty, and isn't just a salad anymore. it is a meal! I'm going to make your version though because I am intrigued by the toasting of the noodles. Great idea! You can find my recipe on my blog: http://www.acooksjournalblog.wordpress.com.
 
Connie T.
Connie T. February 17, 2015
I thought it might be easier if I gave you the actual URL for that recipe of mine. Just scroll down to find my "Chinese Chicken Salad.)
https://acooksjournalblog.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/memorial-day-ideas/
 
Joy H.
Joy H. February 17, 2015
Interesting! I think I prefer the crunchy noodles in this recipe; they end up being more like croutons than the base for a noodle salad, which is what your recipe sounds like.
 
Lynn D.
Lynn D. May 29, 2018
I have added chunks of chicken breast to this salad too. But to make it a complete meal add a large can of Mandarin oranges sections drained with the chicken. It's wonderful!!!
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. October 15, 2014
My grandmother used to make this all the time, and I never got the recipe. Thanks so much!
 
Joy H.
Joy H. October 15, 2014
You're welcome! I hope it's as good as your grandmother's!
 
julieoj
julieoj October 6, 2014
It's also great with dried cranberries in it.
 
Joy H.
Joy H. October 7, 2014
That does sounds great! Now I'm imagining mandarin orange slices, too!
 
mrslarkin
mrslarkin October 2, 2014
Thank you for this! I love this salad so much! My friend Louise has been making it forever. It's addictive.
 
Joy H.
Joy H. October 3, 2014
You're welcome! I know, it's surprisingly addictive!