This post may include affiliate links; for details, see our disclosure policy.

This refreshingly easy cabbage salad could not be simpler to make! All you need is 6 ingredients, and the tangy flavor makes it a total crowd pleaser.

Cabbage salad
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Want to change up your coleslaw routine? Try this Easy Cabbage Salad instead! For many slaws or cabbage salads, you’ll be endlessly chopping and prepping the long ingredient list. Not so with this one! This effortless salad calls for only 6 ingredients, and the only fresh ingredients are green cabbage and mint. It comes out fresh and tangy, with a lemon mint flavor that keeps eaters coming back for more. We served it as part of a lineup of summer salads, and everyone kept asking: “What’s in this?”

Ingredients for cabbage salad

This cabbage salad recipe is a similar to a Malouf salad: a Lebanese cabbage salad that is dressed with lemon juice, garlic and dried mint. This spin uses Dijon mustard and fresh mint for a bit of Mediterranean flair. What we love about this cabbage salad is that all you need is a green cabbage: many salads call for both green and red and then leave us with cabbage halves to figure out what to do with! You’ll need the following ingredients for this cabbage salad:

  • Green cabbage
  • Fresh mint
  • Lemon juice
  • Olive oil
  • Dijon mustard
  • Salt

Got those? Great. Then we’re ready to make a salad.

Cabbage Salad

How to shred cabbage…the easy way!

Ever had trouble cutting cabbage? Until I learned this trick, I’d always hack at a cabbage with my knife and end up with uneven pieces. Alex and I figured out a slick way to cut cabbage that ends up in even pieces that are just the right size. Here’s what to do:

  1. Remove any outer layers of the cabbage that seem tough or are not fresh, and discard them. With a large chef’s knife, slice off the root of the cabbage.
  2. Cut the cabbage in half through the stem. Then cut it into quarters.
  3. Remove the root of the cabbage by cutting it out with two diagonal slices.
  4. Thinly slice the cabbage in the short direction, using a circular motion with the knife.

Want to watch it? Here’s a video of how to cut cabbage.

Easy cabbage salad

Cabbage salad dressing…plus a trick!

The dressing for this cabbage salad could not be easier! Just equal parts lemon juice and olive oil come together with big flavor. Using Dijon mustard puts it over the edge, giving it a savory and spicy undertone. Because it’s not a normal vinaigrette, you don’t even need to worry about an emulsion. Simply whisk together the ingredients.

Here’s a little trick to save a bowl: whisk together the dressing in the bottom of the large bowl you plan to serve the cabbage salad in. Then add the cabbage and toss to combine! You don’t need any extra bowls to whisk the dressing.

How to serve it!

This cabbage salad is a great healthy side dish for any meal! We most often make it in the summer, but it works for any season. It’s especially great for potlucks or pitch-ins and holds its flavor well. Here are a few ways to serve it:

Cabbage salad

This cabbage salad recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Cabbage salad

Easy Cabbage Salad


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 1x
Save Recipe

Description

This refreshingly easy cabbage salad could not be simpler to make! All you need is 6 ingredients, and the tangy flavor makes it a total crowd pleaser.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 medium head green cabbage (or 8 cups shredded)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint leaves

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard.
  2. Chop the cabbage. Finely chop the mint. Add them to the bowl and toss with the dressing.
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Raw
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

More cabbage recipes

There are lots more recipes starring cabbage! Most of the raw cabbage recipes we make besides this simple cabbage salad are slaws. Here are some of our favorites:

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star