Looking for the perfect potluck recipe? This Chinese Coleslaw with ramen noodles is crunchy, sweet and bursting with irresistible flavor. It’s the perfect pick to feed a crowd.
Why You’ll Love It
There’s nothing more nostalgic than having a Instant Pot pulled pork sandwich with a side of coleslaw. but sometimes you want something a little different!
Everyone needs a go-to dish for those few times a year when there’s a lot of mouths to feed. I love this recipe for the flavors and the crunch of the cabbage, but those aren’t the only reasons.
- If you’re in a rush to prep something for a pot luck or social, it’s always easier to bring a cold dish. It’s easier to travel with, lighter to carry, and doesn’t need a special dish or oven to keep it warm. Easier is better when you’re on the go.
- I’ve found pot lucks are often loaded up with savory, salty, belly-fillers and not a lot of flavor. Chinese coleslaw bucks that trend. It’s light and crunchy, thanks to the Napa cabbage and ramen noodles. And you get an incredible flavor from the toasted almonds, soy sauce, vinegar and green onions.
- Did I mention it’s easy?!? It only takes 20 minutes to come together, and then you can be out the door. Or try preparing it a day aheadof time. It will keep in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
Looking for more potluck dishes? Be sure to add our potato salad, Dorito taco salad, and our easy pistachio fluff to your menu soon.
Ingredient Notes
- Napa cabbage – This cabbage is the perfect mix of tender and crunchy.
- Ramen noodles – Adds a delicious crunch to the coleslaw. You don’t cook them for this recipe!
- Sliced almonds – These are toasted for maximum flavor and texture. Learn how to toast nuts with all our tips.
- Sunflower seeds – Adds even more crunch and a nutrition boost.
- Green onions – Brings another element of flavor and color to the salad.
- Soy sauce – Provides a salty, savory, and delicious flavor.
- White vinegar – Gives the dressing a zingy taste and balances out the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter – Adds flavor to the toasted almonds and ramen noodles.
- Vegetable oil – Creates the base for the dressing.
- Sugar – Makes the dressing sweet and long-lasting.
- Kosher salt – Enhances all the flavors in this coleslaw.
Easy Instructions
There are a thousand variations you can make to this simple recipe, and it’s easy to experiment. As you can see, the fundamental steps aren’t exactly rocket science:
- Toast It! Briefly toast the almonds, ramen and sunflower seeds in a saute pan. This does two things. It makes the ingredients crunchier and enhances their flavor. Move everything to a paper towel to cool.
- Shake It! Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a mason jar or deli container. Cap it, and then shake until all of the sugar is dissolved.
- Assemble! Assemble the cabbage, onions, and toasted almond mixture into a large serving bowl. Top it with your dressing. Cover and shake so it all combines.
If you’re looking to mix things up, an easy place to start is with the dressing. Try adding a little ginger, or swapping out for with a peanut sauce dressing instead.
Tips & Tricks
- This slaw tastes better the longer it sits in the dressing, so feel free to make it a day ahead of time! Just leave out the ramen noodles until it’s ready to serve.
- Make the dressing spicier by adding white or black pepper and ginger powder to taste. You could also add a pinch of cayenne powder if you like it hot.
- Garnish the finished salad with chopped cilantro for extra color and flavor.
- To add sesame flavor to the dressing, substitute 1 Tablespoon of the vegetable oil with toasted sesame oil. You can also garnish the finished salad with it.
Serving Suggestions
Chinese Coleslaw is the perfect side dish for Chinese-inspired meals. Try it with my effortless Instant Pot Beef Broccoli. Make the salad a day ahead for a dinner that tastes like takeout. Then, serve it with easy Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken the next day.
For another takeout-inspired classic, you’ll love my pantry-friendly Sesame Chicken. Finally, If you’re taking this coleslaw to a barbecue, complete the meal with garlicky and gingery Huli-Huli Chicken.
Recipe FAQs
If you don’t have sunflower seeds, feel free to use roasted, unsalted peanuts instead.
Garnish Chinese Coleslaw with extra toasted almonds, chopped green onion, cilantro, or toasted sesame seeds.
Yes, two good white vinegar substitutes for this recipe are white wine vinegar and rice vinegar.
While Chinese coleslaw is most tender with Napa cabbage, you can use regular cabbage if it’s what you have on hand. You’ll want to slice it as thin as possible so it’s easier to chew.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Meatloaf Recipe
- Italian Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Instant Pot Barbacoa
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Instant Pot Hamburgers
Chinese Coleslaw
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the salad:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup sliced almonds
- 2 packages ramen noodles uncooked, no seasoning packet needed, crushed
- ½ cup sunflower seeds no shells
- 1 Napa cabbage sliced thin
- 5 green onions sliced thin (whites and greens)
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat butter over medium high heat. Add in the almonds and cook for one minute. Add in crushed ramen noodles and sunflower seeds. Saute for several minutes. Remove from heat and spread on a couple paper towels to cool.
- In a mason jar, combine the dressing ingredients. Shake until sugar is dissolved and refrigerate until ready to serve salad.
- In a large serving bowl, combine cabbage, onions, and noodle mixture. Pour dressing over the salad and let sit 5 minutes. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- This slaw tastes better the longer it sits in the dressing, so feel free to make it a day ahead of time! Just leave out the ramen noodles until it’s ready to serve.
- Make the dressing spicier by adding white or black pepper and ginger powder to taste. You could also add a pinch of cayenne powder if you like it hot.
- Garnish the finished salad with chopped cilantro for extra color and flavor.
- To add sesame flavor to the dressing, substitute 1 Tbsp of the vegetable oil with toasted sesame oil. You can also garnish the finished salad with it.
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
My new favorite salad. I’ve made it 3 times so far. Adding a little ginger to the dressing
I love this
Thanks very interesting blog!
I am looking for a slaw that would be good with a peanut sauce dressing….think this would be good?
Yes I do!!! And share the recipe if you like it 🙂
I’ve made th oh s for Its always a big hit.