Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing Recipe
Imagine everything you love about crisp, colorful salads but with an irresistible twist: that’s what you get with this Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing. Bursting with vibrant veggies, protein-rich edamame, and a zingy, creamy dressing that will make you want to lick the bowl, this slaw is unbelievably easy to throw together. Whether you’re serving it at a backyard barbecue or packing it up for weekday lunches, this dish stands out with its play of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors that no one can resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing is in its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each item works hard to deliver crunch, color, and a melody of bold flavors you’ll crave again and again.
- Honey: Adds a gentle sweetness to balance the tanginess and spice of the dressing.
- Vegetable oil: Gives the dressing a light, smooth texture that clings perfectly to every bite.
- Unseasoned rice vinegar: Brings that classic, bright zing that wakes up all the flavors.
- Soy sauce: Adds a deep, umami saltiness that deepens the complexity of the dressing.
- Sesame oil: Just a teaspoon gives a lovely toasty, nutty aroma you can’t skip.
- Peanut butter: Ensures the dressing is creamy and utterly addictive—use your favorite smooth variety.
- Salt: A heaping half-teaspoon ties everything together and sharpens the flavors.
- Sriracha sauce (optional): For a subtle kick, stir in your favorite chili sauce—or leave it out for a mild slaw.
- Fresh ginger: Mince it up for bursts of spicy brightness that really define the dressing.
- Garlic: A large clove, minced, packs in unmistakable savory depth.
- Prepared shredded coleslaw mix: Ultra-convenient with crisp cabbage and carrot base as your foundation.
- Shredded carrots: Double down on crunch and lively orange color.
- Red bell pepper: Slice it thin for juicy sweetness and bold, festive color.
- Cooked and shelled edamame: A delightful pop of green and extra boost of plant protein.
- Scallions: Thinly sliced for a zippy, mild onion freshness throughout the slaw.
- Chopped salted peanuts: Sprinkle for irresistible crunch and a salty finish.
- Fresh cilantro: A handful of chopped leaves adds garden-fresh brightness and herby aroma at the end.
How to Make Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing
Step 1: Whisk Together the Ginger Peanut Dressing
Start by grabbing a medium mixing bowl and your trusty whisk. Combine the honey, vegetable oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter, salt, Sriracha (if using), fresh ginger, and garlic. Whisk vigorously until the peanut butter is fully dissolved and the mixture looks creamy and smooth. Give it a quick taste—if you want more heat or tang, feel free to tweak to your liking now before moving on.
Step 2: Prep the Slaw Veggies
In a big salad bowl, pile in the coleslaw mix, shredded carrots, sliced red bell pepper, cooked edamame, and sliced scallions. Toss everything loosely so it’s evenly distributed and you get a pop of color in every forkful—don’t be afraid to use your (clean!) hands to mix it well so the veggies form a gorgeous, confetti-like base for the dressing.
Step 3: Dress, Toss, and Let It Rest
Pour the whisked Ginger Peanut Dressing generously over the slaw veggies, scraping the bowl to get every last drop. Using tongs or two big serving spoons, toss everything together until the veggies are glistening and evenly coated. This step is key—let the slaw sit for at least ten minutes so the flavors can mingle and the vegetables soften just slightly. Taste and season with a bit more salt if needed.
Step 4: Add Final Touches and Serve
Just before serving, toss in the chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro. Stir them through gently so you get pops of crunch and herbal freshness in every bite. Serve the Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing chilled, right from the bowl, and watch it disappear!
How to Serve Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing
Garnishes
For that final flourish, top your Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing with extra chopped peanuts, a scatter of fresh cilantro leaves, and maybe a few thin slices of scallion. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of Sriracha on top can also make each plate feel restaurant-worthy and personalized.
Side Dishes
This slaw plays well with just about everything. Try serving it alongside grilled chicken, crispy tofu, seared salmon, or sticky ribs for a delightful contrast. Since it’s so refreshing, it’s fantastic with spicy mains or as a crisp counterpoint to rich Asian-inspired dishes like fried rice or dumplings.
Creative Ways to Present
Go beyond the salad bowl! Pile the slaw into lettuce cups for crunchy wraps, stuff it into sandwiches or tacos for extra zing, or layer it over rice bowls for a punchy side. You could even serve Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing in small mason jars for colorful, portable lunch or picnic options.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any remaining Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for two to three days, though the veggies may soften a bit more over time—they’ll still be tasty and burst with flavor.
Freezing
It’s best not to freeze this slaw, as both the fresh vegetables and peanuts lose their crunch and become watery or mushy after thawing. The dressing, however, can be mixed up in advance, transferred to a jar, and frozen separately. Defrost it in the fridge overnight, give it a shake, and toss with freshly chopped veggies when ready.
Reheating
This dish is designed to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t recommended. If your slaw’s been stored in the fridge, simply give it a toss and let it sit out for a few minutes before serving to take off the chill.
FAQs
Can I make Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing ahead of time?
Absolutely! The slaw actually gets tastier as it sits for a while, as the veggies soak up the dressing. Prep it early in the day (up to 24 hours ahead) and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Just be sure to add the fresh cilantro and peanuts right before serving to keep them crisp.
Can I use a different nut butter in the dressing?
Definitely. If you’ve got almond or cashew butter in your pantry, feel free to swap them in for peanut butter. It will create a slightly different (but still delicious!) flavor profile for your Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing.
Is there a way to make this slaw gluten-free?
Yes—just be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in the dressing, and double-check that your peanuts and other condiments are certified gluten-free. With that swap, the entire dish is naturally gluten-free and safe for sensitive eaters.
What proteins can I add to make it a main dish?
You can easily turn this slaw into a hearty meal by adding your choice of protein. Grilled chicken, shrimp, sliced steak, pan-seared tofu, or even a poached egg work beautifully over a bed of Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing.
Can I use pre-bagged slaw mix?
Yes! In fact, that’s one of the biggest time-savers in this recipe. Go for a pre-shredded coleslaw blend to cut way down on prep time. You’ll still get all the crunchy, colorful goodness with less effort.
Final Thoughts
There’s something wonderfully uplifting about sharing a bowl of Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing—it’s fresh, fun, and completely habit-forming. I hope you find this recipe as craveable and simple as I do. Dive in, give it your own spin, and let each bite brighten your table and your mood!
Print
Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing is a refreshing and flavorful salad that combines crunchy vegetables with a zesty, nutty dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal on its own.
Ingredients
Ginger Peanut Dressing
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (Skippy Natural No Need to Stir)
- Heaping ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
For the Slaw
- 4 cups prepared shredded coleslaw
- 2 cups prepared shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cooked and shelled edamame
- 2 medium scallions, finely sliced
- ½ cup chopped salted peanuts
- ½ cup loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing until well combined. Set aside.
- Make the Slaw: In a large mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw, carrots, red bell pepper, edamame, scallions, peanuts, and cilantro.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the slaw ingredients and toss until evenly coated.
- Let Sit: Allow the slaw to sit for at least ten minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the slaw and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt if desired.
- Serve: Serve the Asian slaw cold as a refreshing side dish or light meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Asian, Slaw, Salad, Peanut Dressing, Coleslaw, Ginger, Vegetarian
