Simple Cabbage Slaw with Champagne Vinaigrette

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A simple, beautiful cabbage slaw with radicchio, sprouts and my favorite homemade salad dressing made with champagne vinegar, honey and olive oil.

If you enjoy a lighter cabbage slaw that doesn’t have mayonnaise, you’re going to love this salad!

This fresh, light slaw is inspired by dish a California-style sushi chain restaurant in our neighborhood used to serve.

It’s a big, healthful tangle of raw vegetables every single person in my family totally chows down whenever I make it — even my son who tends to be picky about eating salads.

I created this salad to give you the perfect balance of sweet and tart in every bite, along with a good bit of crunch from chopped almonds.

A good cabbage salad should deliver a satisfying mix of texture with a tasty dressing.

I think it tastes best with a brightly seasoned vinaigrette. This one has a bit of sweetness from honey or maple syrup combined with acidity from lemon juice and vinegar.

Which cabbage to use in a slaw

• Green cabbage: Also known as white cabbage, this is the type of cabbage used for everything from sauerkraut to classic cabbage rolls. It has sturdy leaves that taste sweet and refreshing.
• Savoy cabbage: This type has pretty curly leaves and a more delicate texture than typical green cabbage. I always grab this variety when I see it in the market.
• Red or purple cabbage: A vibrantly colored cabbage that looks and tastes great combined with green cabbage.

I actually used radicchio in this slaw instead of red cabbage to lighten up the salad.

Radicchio has a gorgeous magenta color and slightly bitter taste. It pairs really well with the sweet and tangy vinegar-based dressing and balances the natural sugar in green cabbage.

Shredding cabbage for slaw

Slicing cabbage into ribbons can be done in a few ways.

1. With sharp chef’s knife: Trim off any bruised leaves and slice the head in half. Cut out the core. Slice crosswise into thin ribbons.
2. Using a mandolin: This is my favorite tool for finely slicing all kinds of vegetables into evenly thin pieces. Use the guard to keep your fingers safe!
3. Food processor: Attach the shredder disc to your food processor. Cut the cabbage into pieces that will fit into your feeder tube and off you go!

How to make a meal with cabbage slaw

Slaws are perfect for make-ahead situations because they hold up well without wilting or getting completely soggy.

That makes them a great choice to take to a picnic or potluck.

• To turn this recipe into a main dish, serve the slaw alongside your favorite fish tacos or burgers.
• Serve the slaw with miso-glazed salmon or grilled shrimp.
• Toss in chickpeas or edamame for a satisfying hit of vegetarian-friendly protein.

More hearty, healthful salads to try:

• This colorful Asian slaw
• Peanut-Lime Cabbage Noodle Salad
• Tahini Caesar Salad with Olive Oil Breadcrumbs