Easy Asian Slaw

This easy Asian slaw is one of my favourite Thai-inspired side dishes. It's fresh, colourful, crunchy and takes just minutes to put together.

The combination of red cabbage, carrot and onion creates a salad that's packed with texture, while the simple dressing of sesame oil, soy, lime and rice vinegar adds plenty of flavour without overwhelming the vegetables.

I often serve this alongside grilled chicken, salmon, burgers, prawns or Asian-inspired dishes, but it's equally good piled into wraps, grain bowls or packed lunches.

The mixed seeds add extra crunch along with healthy fats, fibre and minerals, making this much more than just a side salad.

Recipe Overview

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: None

• Servings: 2–4 as a side

Ingredients

For the Slaw

• ½ red small cabbage, finely shredded or mandolined

• ½ small red onion, finely sliced

• 1 carrot, grated

• 2 spring onions, finely sliced

• 2 tsp mixed seeds (pumpkin, sesame and sunflower)

For the Dressing

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce

• ½ tsp rice vinegar

• Juice of 1 lime

• ½ tsp honey or maple syrup

Method

1. Place the cabbage, red onion, carrot and spring onions into a large bowl.

2. In a small bowl or jam jar, whisk or shake together the sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice and honey or maple syrup.

3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss well to combine.

4. Sprinkle over the mixed seeds just before serving for extra crunch.

5. Serve immediately or leave for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.

Nutrition (per serving – approx)

• Protein: 3g

• Calories: 90 kcal

• Carbohydrates: Low to Moderate

• Healthy fats: Moderate

• Fibre: High

(Values are approximate and will vary depending on ingredients used.)

Why This Works (60Fit Approach)

This simple slaw punches well above its weight nutritionally.

You're getting:

• Fibre from cabbage, carrot and onion to support digestive health

• Vitamin C from cabbage and lime

• Anthocyanins from the red cabbage & red onion which have been linked to reduced inflammation, better heart health, and improved gut health.

• Plant compounds and antioxidants from colourful vegetables

• Healthy fats and minerals from mixed seeds

• Plenty of flavour from real ingredients rather than processed dressings

Cabbage, of all varieties, are one of the most underrated vegetables around. Inexpensive, versatile, keeps well in the fridge and provides a surprising amount of nutrition for very few calories.

This is exactly the kind of simple, everyday recipe that helps you eat more vegetables without feeling like you're eating "diet food."

60Fit Tip

Make a double batch. It keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days and is brilliant alongside grilled meats, fish, burgers, or tucked into wraps for an easy lunch.

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