Dairy-Free Vietnamese Cabbage Salad

Bright, crisp, and bursting with bold flavors, this Dairy-Free Vietnamese Cabbage Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish perfect for any occasion. Featuring a vibrant mix of Napa and red cabbage, crunchy carrots, and aromatic herbs like fresh mint and cilantro, this salad is brought to life with a tangy, umami-packed dressing made from lime juice, tamari, sesame oil, and a touch of maple syrup. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an effortless way to enjoy classic Vietnamese-inspired flavors in a gluten-free and dairy-free format. Garnish with roasted peanuts or cashews for added crunch, or finish with a sprinkle of chili flakes for a zesty kick. Perfect as a light lunch, side, or potluck favorite, this vegan salad is as versatile as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups Napa cabbage
• 2 cups Red cabbage
• 2 medium Carrots
• 0.5 cup Fresh mint leaves
• 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 stalks Green onions
• 0.25 cup Unsalted roasted peanuts or cashews (optional)
• 0.25 cup Lime juice
• 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Tamari (gluten-free soy sauce, or substitute regular soy sauce if gluten isn't a concern)
• 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon Maple syrup (or agave nectar)
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1 small Fresh red chili or red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Thinly slice the Napa cabbage and red cabbage, then place them in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Peel and julienne the carrots. Add them to the mixing bowl with the cabbage.

Step 3

Chop the fresh mint, cilantro, and green onions. Reserve a small amount for garnish, and add the rest to the bowl.

Step 4

If using peanuts or cashews, roughly chop them and set aside for topping the salad later.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, rice vinegar, tamari, sesame oil, maple syrup, minced garlic, and finely chopped red chili (if using). Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl.

Step 7

Toss the salad thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 8

Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Serve the salad in individual bowls or on a platter. Garnish with reserved herbs and chopped peanuts or cashews, if using.

Step 10

Optional: Add a squeeze of fresh lime on top and extra chili flakes for a zesty kick.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(950.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	684.2

Total Fat 36.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3262.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 83.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.1g	0%
Total Sugars 36.7g
Protein 27.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 759.7mg	0%
Iron 17.0mg	0%
Potassium 2918.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.3%

Protein: 14.2%

Carbs: 43.4%