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.
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
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.)
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:
Asian Slaw with Basil Recipe
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
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DIANA MILLER
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
valentina
Thanks so much Diana! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I love Napa cabbage and bet it was delicious!
linda
Thai basil would also be delicious.
valentina
Thanks, Linda! 🙂
Melissa @ My Wife Can Cook
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!
valentina
Love that you can grab basil from your garden! Enjoy and thank you! 🙂
Kristine
I love the flavor of basil and this slaw recipe looks delicious! I can't wait to try it, thanks!
valentina
Thank you!
Julia (@imagelicious)
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
valentina
Thanks so much, Julia! 🙂
jayne
I am a big fan of an Asian slaw and love the sound of your dressing! great flavours going on
valentina
Thanks so much, Jayne. Hope you try it. 🙂
Just Jo
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 🙂
valentina
Thank you! (I have to always have sambal oelek at the ready!) 🙂
David
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!
valentina
Thank you, David! Can't live without my Sambal Oelek. 🙂 Enjoy!
sippitysup
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
valentina
Thanks, Greg. Oh yes, perfect for the holiday season! 🙂
Hilary
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.
mimi rippee
Great flavors and a wonderful crunch make this a perfect side, maybe to some Korean ribs!!!
valentina
I love that mix, Mimi. They'd be fantastic together! 🙂 ~VaLENTINA