Chinese Red Cabbage Recipe: Crispy and Colorful Salad!
Red cabbage isn’t actually red. It has more of a deep purple color. Red cabbage is crunchier and more densely packed than green cabbage. It has a slightly peppery taste that feels refreshing. A huge benefit of eating red cabbage is you won’t get fat no matter how much you eat.
So, I will share my Chinese red cabbage recipe that I learned from my mom. She used to make me this red cabbage salad as I didn’t like to eat vegetables. As red cabbage is rich in nutrients, it is a very healthy recipe for yourself and your family. Let’s make it.
Table of Contents
Chinese Red Cabbage Recipe Overview
This recipe is super easy to make as you need almost no cooking process. See the recipe overview below before I get into more detail.
| Cuisine: Chinese | Difficulty: Easy | ||
| Total Time: 15 minutes | |||
| Serving | Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Calories |
| 2 persons | 12 minutes | 3 minutes | 52 kcal |
Ingredients Needed for Chinese Red Cabbage Recipe
This simple salad recipe needs some common ingredients that I mentioned in the following list.
- Red Cabbage: Take one red cabbage. If you have more people to feed, adjust the amount accordingly.
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Sugar: 1 tsp
- Garlic: 2-3 cloves, minced
- Bird’s Eye Chili: 2-3 chilies, chopped
- White Sesame Seed: 1 tbsp
- Chili Powder: 1 tsp of chili powder
- Light Soy Sauce: 1 tsp
- Vinegar: 1 tsp of aged vinegar
- Chili Oil: 1 tsp
- Cilantro: 1 tbsp, chopped
- Green Peppers: 2 pcs, shredded
- Cooking Oil: 1 tbsp
Chinese Red Cabbage Recipe: Step-By-Step Instructions
This is one of the easiest recipes I have shared with you so far. Still, I will include detailed steps for your convenience.
Step 1: Cut the Cabbage
The best way to cut a cabbage is to take off the core first. To do this, cut the cabbage into halves and then into quarters. Then, cut the core at an angle to remove it.
You Can Also Try Din Tai Fung Cabbage Recipe
Now, shred the cabbage thinly to make ribbons. As we aren’t cooking the cabbage, keeping the ribbons thin is preferable.
Step 2: Marinate the Cabbage
Take the shredded red cabbage in a bowl. Add the salt and sugar to the bowl and mix well. After all the cabbage is coated in salt and sugar, leave it for about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse the Cabbage
I didn’t wash the cabbage in the beginning as it will require a wash after the marination. Squeeze the marinated cabbage to remove as much moisture as possible.
Then, rinse the cabbage twice with clean water. Let the excess water drain for some time.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
Take the rinsed cabbage in a salad bowl. Mince a few garlic cloves and chop some Bird’s Eye chilies. Then, add the white sesame seed and chili powder to the shredded cabbage.
You Can Also Try Taiwanese Cabbage Recipe
Heat some oil and drizzle the spices with the hot oil. Then, pour the light soy sauce, aged vinegar, and chili oil into the bowl. Sprinkle some chopped cilantro and shredded green peppers on top. The crispy and refreshing red cabbage salad is now ready!
Nutrition Facts of Chinese Red Cabbage Recipe
Red cabbage has a very low fat content but is rich in vitamins and minerals. Here is the nutritional value of this recipe.
- Total Carbohydrates: 8.47g
- Protein: 1.48g
- Total Fat: 1.77g
- Saturated Fat: 0.28g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.68g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.56g
- Total Dietary Fiber: 2.1g
- Total Sugar: 4.84g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 204mg
- Potassium: 246mg
- Calcium: 46mg
- Iron: 0.88mg
- Vitamin A: 103IU
- Vitamin C: 49.9
Chinese Red Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- The best way to cut a cabbage is to take off the core first. To do this, cut the cabbage into halves and then into quarters. Then, cut the core at an angle to remove it.
- Now, shred the cabbage thinly to make ribbons. As we aren’t cooking the cabbage, keeping the ribbons thin is preferable.
- Take the shredded red cabbage in a bowl. Add the salt and sugar to the bowl and mix well. After all the cabbage is coated in salt and sugar, leave it for about 10 minutes.
- I didn’t wash the cabbage in the beginning as it will require a wash after the marination. Squeeze the marinated cabbage to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Then, rinse the cabbage twice with clean water. Let the excess water drain for some time.
- Take the rinsed cabbage in a salad bowl. Mince a few garlic cloves and chop some Bird’s Eye chilies. Then, add the white sesame seed and chili powder to the shredded cabbage.
- Heat some oil and drizzle the spices with the hot oil. Then, pour the light soy sauce, aged vinegar, and chili oil into the bowl. Sprinkle some chopped cilantro and shredded green peppers on top. The crispy and refreshing red cabbage salad is now ready!
FAQs
Even though the recipe is easy, you might benefit from the answers to some common queries. Here you go.
How can the texture of Chinese red cabbage be adjusted in the recipe?
The crispy texture of Chinese red cabbage is the main attraction of this recipe. You shouldn’t use too much hot oil. Otherwise, the hot oil can cook the cabbage and make it soggy.
Which traditional Chinese spices or herbs you can use to enhance the flavor profile of a red cabbage dish?
You can use five spices, chili paste, sesame oil, etc. Mirin also goes well with red cabbage dishes. Remember, all of these spices might not go with raw red cabbage dishes, such as this salad recipe.
Can Chinese red cabbage be fermented or pickled like other varieties of cabbage?
Of course. Like green cabbage or other varieties, Chinese red cabbage can also be fermented or pickled. As the red cabbage has a slightly sweet flavor profile, it is good for making pickles.
In what other dishes can I use Chinese red cabbage?
Chinese red cabbage can be used for a variety of dishes. You can make kimchi with red cabbage. It also goes well in dumplings or spring rolls.
Conclusion
The color and texture of Chinese red cabbage are more fascinating to me than the taste. However, I get amazed every time I make this salad with Chinese red cabbage. You can also try this recipe to fill some of your nutrient requirements.
Make the Chinese red cabbage recipe yourself and surprise your family with a refreshing salad that is colorful, crispy, and delicious.
