Zesty Asian Lime-Peanut Slaw Recipe: A Refreshing Twist

Crisp cabbage meets a zesty asian lime-peanut slaw that dances with vibrant flavors and unexpected textures.

Crunchy vegetables mingle beneath a tangy dressing that whispers tropical notes.

Summer picnics and casual gatherings deserve something light yet satisfying.

Peanuts add a nutty crunch that makes every bite interesting.

Bright lime juice cuts through rich ingredients, creating balanced magic.

Simplicity defines this quick side dish that feels both fresh and indulgent.

You’ll want to make extra because friends will demand seconds.

What Makes This Crunchy Asian Slaw a Standout

• Boost Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with colorful cabbage, carrots, and nutrient-rich vegetables, this slaw delivers a serious health punch with minimal cooking effort.
• Master Quick Asian Fusion: Create restaurant-quality flavors at home using simple ingredients and a straightforward technique that transforms basic vegetables into an exciting dish.
• Customize with Confidence: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping proteins like chicken or tofu, making it perfect for different dietary preferences and meal plans.
• No-Fuss Flavor Explosion: Combine tangy lime, soy sauce, and sesame oil with crunchy peanuts to deliver a vibrant taste experience that wakes up your taste buds without complicated cooking steps.

Fresh Ingredients in Asian Lime-Peanut Slaw

• Green Cabbage, Purple Cabbage: These create a colorful and crunchy base for the slaw with a crisp texture.
• Carrots: They add a sweet and vibrant element to the salad with their julienned shape.
• Green Onions: These provide a mild, fresh onion flavor and additional crunch to the dish.
• Cilantro: A bright, herbal garnish that adds a fresh and aromatic finish to the slaw.

• Chicken, Tofu: These ingredients offer a protein boost and make the slaw more substantial as a complete meal.

• Lime Juice: Brings a zesty and tangy citrus flavor to the slaw.
• Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce: These ingredients create a balanced and savory base for the dressing.
• Sesame Oil: Adds a rich, nutty undertone to the overall flavor profile.
• Honey: Provides a subtle sweetness that balances the tangy and salty elements.
• Ginger, Garlic: These aromatics contribute depth and complexity to the dressing.

• Peanuts: Roasted nuts that provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the slaw.
• Sesame Seeds: These small seeds add a subtle nutty taste and visual interest to the dish.

Simple Steps for a 5-Minute Asian Slaw

Step 1: Chop Colorful Cabbage

Grab a cutting board and slice green and purple cabbage into thin, delicate strips. Toss the colorful cabbage pieces into a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant foundation for your slaw.

Step 2: Add Crunchy Vegetables

Julienne carrots into slender matchsticks and slice green onions into delicate rings. Sprinkle these crisp vegetables over the cabbage mixture, introducing extra texture and freshness.

Step 3: Whip Up Zesty Dressing

• Fresh lime juice
• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Honey
• Grated fresh ginger
• Minced garlic

Whisk these ingredients until they form a smooth, aromatic sauce that will bring your slaw to life.

Step 4: Coat Vegetables with Dressing

Pour the tangy dressing over the vegetable mixture. Use tongs or salad servers to toss and coat every single strand, ensuring a balanced flavor in each bite.

Step 5: Add Protein (Optional)

Fold in diced cooked chicken or crispy tofu cubes to transform this side dish into a satisfying main course.

Step 6: Let Flavors Mingle

Allow the slaw to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. This resting period lets the ingredients get acquainted and intensifies the overall taste profile.

Step 7: Sprinkle Nutty Crunch

Scatter chopped roasted peanuts over the top, introducing a delightful crackle and rich nutty undertone to the dish.

Step 8: Finish with Fresh Garnish

Shower the slaw with fresh cilantro leaves and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. These final touches add visual appeal and an extra layer of flavor complexity.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Present the slaw chilled or at room temperature as a vibrant side dish or light, refreshing meal that’s sure to impress.

Smart Tips for the Crunchiest Slaw

• Boost Cabbage Crunch: Slice cabbage thinly for maximum texture and even dressing absorption.
• Elevate Flavor Depth: Let slaw sit for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop richer taste.
• Protein Power Options: Swap chicken or tofu with grilled shrimp, edamame, or tempeh for diverse protein alternatives.
• Balance Dressing Intensity: Adjust honey and lime juice ratios to control sweetness and tanginess according to personal preference.
• Quick Meal Prep Hack: Prepare dressing and chop vegetables in advance for a speedy, nutritious meal assembly.

Bold Flavor Combos to Try with Asian Slaw

• Spicy Southeast Asian Slaw: Replace honey with chili-garlic sauce, add sliced Thai chilies, and increase ginger for a fiery kick.
• Mexican-Inspired Cabbage Salad: Swap soy sauce with lime juice, add diced jalapeños, replace peanuts with cotija cheese, and mix in chopped cilantro.
• Vegan Protein Power Slaw: Substitute chicken/tofu with edamame, black beans, and quinoa, ensuring a plant-based protein-rich version with similar flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Cabbage Remix: Use lemon juice instead of lime, incorporate feta cheese, kalamata olives, and replace peanuts with toasted pine nuts for a Mediterranean touch.

Pair This Slaw with Your Favorite Dishes

• Sip Thai Iced Tea: Cool, sweet Thai tea perfectly balances the tangy, zesty slaw with its creamy and refreshing character.
• Pair Crisp Riesling: Light, slightly sweet German white wine complements the lime and peanut flavors, cutting through the salad's vibrant acidity.
• Match Ginger Beer: Spicy, effervescent beverage echoes the ginger in the dressing while providing a bright, zingy counterpoint to the crunchy vegetables.
• Choose Cold Sake: Clean, smooth Japanese rice wine offers a subtle backdrop that enhances the slaw's complex Asian-inspired flavor profile.

How to Store Leftover Asian Slaw Just Right

• Store the Asian Lime-Peanut Slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the peanuts separate to maintain their crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
• If possible, store the dressing and vegetables separately. Mix them just before serving to preserve the crisp texture of the cabbage and maintain the salad's fresh flavor profile.
• Do not freeze this slaw, as the vegetables will lose their crispness and become watery when thawed. The delicate texture of cabbage and carrots won't survive the freezing process.
• Chop vegetables and prepare the dressing in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Combine ingredients just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and optimal taste.

FAQs About Crunchy Asian Lime-Peanut Slaw

• What makes the dressing so flavorful?

The combination of lime juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, ginger, and garlic creates a complex, tangy, and slightly sweet profile that perfectly balances the crisp vegetables.

• Can I make this slaw ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the slaw up to a day in advance. Just add the peanuts and cilantro just before serving to maintain their crunch and freshness.

• Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

The base recipe is vegetarian. You can easily keep it vegan by using agave instead of honey and omitting the optional chicken.

• How can I add more protein to this slaw?

You can incorporate diced chicken, tofu, edamame, or shrimp to make the slaw more filling and nutritious.

Asian Lime-Peanut Slaw Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty Asian lime-peanut slaw brings crunchy cabbage and tangy flavors together in one irresistible salad. Crisp vegetables dance with nutty peanuts and bright citrus, creating a refreshing side dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 4 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1/2 cup julienned carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Dressing and Protein:

• 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) lime juice
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish and Optional Additions:

• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Optional: 1/2 cup cooked chicken or tofu, diced

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Instructions

1. Create a vibrant salad base by combining green and purple cabbage in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a colorful and crunchy foundation for the slaw.
2. Incorporate julienned carrots and green onions into the cabbage mixture, adding texture and a fresh, crisp element to the dish.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic to create a tangy and aromatic dressing.
4. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture, tossing thoroughly to ensure every strand is evenly coated with the zesty sauce.
5. If using, fold in diced chicken or tofu to add protein and make the slaw more substantial.
6. Let the slaw marinate for 10-15 minutes at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
7. Before serving, sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts over the top for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sesame seeds to enhance the visual appeal and add a final layer of flavor complexity.
9. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish or light meal.

Notes

• Chop cabbage and carrots uniformly to ensure consistent texture and even dressing distribution.
• Adjust dressing’s sweetness and tanginess by tweaking honey and lime juice ratios according to personal preference.
• For protein alternatives, swap chicken or tofu with grilled shrimp, edamame, or tempeh to suit different dietary needs.
• Toast peanuts briefly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and provide an extra aromatic crunch to the slaw.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg