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    Home » Salads » Spicy Asian Slaw with Basil

    Spicy Asian Slaw with Basil

    Oct 13, 2016 · by Valentina · 21 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Spicy Asian Slaw with Basil is quick and easy to make and is packed with incredibly delicious, super fresh Asian flavors. This sweet and spicy coleslaw is perfect for a side, first course or vegan entrée salad.Asian Slaw Recipe with Basil in a floral blue, ceramic bowl

    Spicy Asian Slaw with Basil is a vegan coleslaw that's slightly crunchy, a little bit sweet, subtly spicy, and super fresh and delicious.

    I make this year round and serve it with so many different things -- from grilled steak and fish tacos, to burgers and tofu dishes.

    Ingredients for Spicy Asian Slaw


    • cabbage (green or combination of red and green)
    • red bell pepper
    • red onion
    • fresh basil
    • unseasoned rice vinegar
    • lemon juice
    • sugar
    • garlic
    • chili paste
    • ginger pulp
    • grapeseed or vegetable oil

    purple-red cabbage cut in half

    How to Make it


    - In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, chili paste, and ginger together.
    - Gradually whisk in the oil.
    - In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cabbage, peppers, onion and basil.
    - Add the desired amount of dressing to the slaw and mix.

    (More detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.)

    Asian Slaw Recipe with Basil in a gorgeous floral, blue ceramic bowl

    Can you make it ahead?


    • While this is quick and easy enough that you can put it together just twenty minutes or so before you want to serve it, it only gets better with time.
    • The longer it marinates, the more delicious it is.
    • I wouldn't add the dressing more than 4 hours ahead. You can mix all of the other ingredients together up to a day ahead -- just wrap it well and keep it refrigerated.

    Recipe Tip

    • The cabbage will begin to soften after the dressing is mixed in, so if you prefer it with more crunch, add the dressing to the coleslaw as close to serving it as possible.

    Serving Suggestions


    • This Spicy Asian Slaw with Basil is a great first course or side dish.
    • Add tofu or chicken, and it's an amazing, hearty entrée.
    • It's fabulous when added to a sandwich or burger.
    • I love this Asian slaw for fish tacos.
    • And it's so delicious alongside grilled steak, chicken or fish.
    • Try rolling it into a tortilla for a delicious wrap with deli meats.
    • And you can even try topping a bowl of chili with it. (That might sound unusual, but I've done it, and I'm telling you, it's so good.)

    I hope you enjoy every last bite of this delicious Spicy Asian Slaw with Basil.

    More raw cabbage recipes:

    • Pickled Cabbage
    • Raw Cabbage Cucumber Salad
    Asian slaw in a bright blue ceramic bowl painted with colorful flowers.

    Asian Slaw with Basil Recipe

    Valentina K. Wein
    Spicy Asian Slaw Recipe with Basil is quick and easy to make and is packed with incredibly delicious, super fresh Asian flavors. This sweet and spicy coleslaw is perfect for a side, first course or vegan entrée salad.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 4
    Calories 143 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the dressing

    • 4 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
    • 1½ teaspoons garlic, minced
    • 1½ teaspoons chili paste
    • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger pulp
    • 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil

    For the slaw

    • 4 cups green cabbage (or combination or red and green) washed and dried, finely sliced
    • 1½ cups red bell pepper, washed and dried, thinly sliced
    • ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 cups loosely packed basil leaves, washed and dried, finely chopped

    Instructions
     

    For the dressing

    • In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar with the lemon juice, sugar, garlic, chili paste and ginger. Once it's blended, gradually whisk in the oil. Set aside.

    For the slaw

    • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cabbage, peppers, onion and basil.

    Assembly

    • Add the desired amount of dressing to the slaw, mix and serve.

    Notes

    Calorie count is only an estimate.
    Keywords summer picnics, pretty salads, Asian side dishes
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. DIANA MILLER

      October 13, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      SCRUMPTIOUS & SO REFRESHING!THANKS FOR SHARING!I made it with napa cabbage that I soaked in cold water and ice cubes and spin dried, so crunchy could have put a touch more sambal olek , my son wants the recipe -- he says its a keeper , Diana from Toronto

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 13, 2016 at 10:19 pm

        Thanks so much Diana! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I love Napa cabbage and bet it was delicious!

        Reply
    2. linda

      October 14, 2016 at 7:21 am

      Thai basil would also be delicious.

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 14, 2016 at 5:18 pm

        Thanks, Linda! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Melissa @ My Wife Can Cook

      October 14, 2016 at 5:46 pm

      This looks delicious! We became obessed with slaws over the summer. And I have a just enough basil left in the garden for this. Definitely trying this weekend!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 14, 2016 at 8:32 pm

        Love that you can grab basil from your garden! Enjoy and thank you! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Kristine

      October 14, 2016 at 5:47 pm

      I love the flavor of basil and this slaw recipe looks delicious! I can't wait to try it, thanks!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 14, 2016 at 8:33 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Julia (@imagelicious)

      October 14, 2016 at 6:49 pm

      I like how simple this slaw is but how it packs a lot of flavour with all the ginger and Chili and lemon and garlic! Yum

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 14, 2016 at 8:33 pm

        Thanks so much, Julia! 🙂

        Reply
    6. jayne

      October 14, 2016 at 11:03 pm

      I am a big fan of an Asian slaw and love the sound of your dressing! great flavours going on

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 16, 2016 at 8:46 pm

        Thanks so much, Jayne. Hope you try it. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Just Jo

      October 14, 2016 at 11:41 pm

      Oh this is fantastic - I'm always trying to come up with new slaw ideas, especially non-creamy ones and this looks perfect. I love sambal oelek too 🙂

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 16, 2016 at 8:46 pm

        Thank you! (I have to always have sambal oelek at the ready!) 🙂

        Reply
    8. David

      October 15, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      Nice bright flavors and colors! And I love anything with sambal oelek. Bring that I can't eat sriracha, this chile paste is perfect for me!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 16, 2016 at 8:47 pm

        Thank you, David! Can't live without my Sambal Oelek. 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply
    9. sippitysup

      October 20, 2016 at 9:33 am

      As we head into prime cooking season and all those holiday parties and meals it's great to have a few "make ahead" lifesavers like this beauty. GREG

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 21, 2016 at 7:43 am

        Thanks, Greg. Oh yes, perfect for the holiday season! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Hilary

      May 28, 2018 at 11:24 am

      I made this the other night with pre packaged cole slaw mix (i'm super lazy.) It was so delicious, I practically ate the entire thing before it got to the table! I'm making it again today for a Memorial Day bbq.

      Reply
    11. mimi rippee

      June 05, 2021 at 2:54 pm

      Great flavors and a wonderful crunch make this a perfect side, maybe to some Korean ribs!!!

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 06, 2021 at 9:07 pm

        I love that mix, Mimi. They'd be fantastic together! 🙂 ~VaLENTINA

        Reply

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