If you’re craving a fresh, vibrant, and utterly delightful salad, the Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe is the one to try. It bursts with crisp cabbage, herbs, and a luscious, tangy dressing that feels both nourishing and indulgent. This salad is not only a feast for your taste buds but also brings a beautiful pop of green to your plate, making it perfect for any meal or occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple and wholesome ingredients come together effortlessly to create layers of flavor, texture, and color. Each item plays a crucial role, whether it’s the crunch of cabbage, the aromatic fresh herbs, or the creamy nutty dressing that ties everything together.
- Green cabbage: The crunchy base that gives this salad its structure and refreshing bite.
- Green onions: Provide a mild, savory sharpness that brightens every forkful.
- Baby cucumbers (or English cucumber): Add cool, juicy crispness that complements the cabbage beautifully.
- Diced chives: Sprinkle a subtle oniony flavor that elevates the freshness.
- Soft herbs (basil, parsley, or dill): Packed with vibrant aromatics that bring garden-fresh charm.
- Spinach: Infuses earthy green goodness and a silky texture to the dressing.
- Shallot: Offers a delicate, sweet onion flavor that deepens the taste.
- Garlic cloves: Bring a punch of savory warmth and complexity.
- Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy, savory note that makes the dressing irresistible.
- Olive oil: Smooths and enriches the dressing with fruitiness and body.
- Walnuts (or pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts): Provide a lovely crunch and a subtle earthiness to the dressing.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the salad with zesty tartness, balancing the richness.
- Rice wine vinegar: Adds gentle acidity and a touch of sweetness to enhance flavors.
- Sea salt: Amplifies all the wonderful flavors and ties everything together perfectly.
How to Make Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Start by combining the diced green cabbage, green onions, finely chopped cucumbers, and chives in a large bowl. This mix creates the crisp and refreshing foundation that makes this salad so delightful. Toss gently to blend the colors and textures evenly.
Step 2: Whip Up the Dressing
Next, gather the herbs, spinach, shallot, garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, nuts, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, and sea salt. Blend them all in a food processor or blender for about two minutes, until the leaves break down and the mixture becomes a creamy, herbaceous dressing. This step is where the salad truly comes to life, infusing those fresh greens with bold, savory flavor.
Step 3: Combine Salad and Dressing
Pour the vibrant Green Goddess dressing over the cabbage mixture. Toss everything thoroughly so that each bite is coated with the rich, tangy sauce that makes this salad addictive. The dressing not only binds the salad components together but also balances the crunch and herbiness so beautifully.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Your Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe is now ready to serve! Whether you enjoy it on its own or pair it with chips or bread, it’s guaranteed to brighten up any table with its lively flavors and textures.
How to Serve Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of extra chopped herbs like parsley or chives on top can enhance the freshness and visual appeal. For an extra crunch, toss on some toasted nuts or seeds—sunflower or pumpkin seeds work wonders here. A final drizzle of olive oil or a few lemon wedges on the side invites everyone to customize their bites.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled proteins such as chicken, fish, or tofu, making it a versatile side for a vibrant summer meal. It also complements Mediterranean dishes, fresh flatbreads, or can be served alongside hearty grain bowls to bring brightness and crunch to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe in large lettuce cups or hollowed avocado halves for individual portions. Layering it as a vibrant taco filling or topping roasted vegetables creates an unexpected yet delicious way to enjoy it. Presenting in mason jars makes for a pretty and portable lunch option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container. The salad will remain crisp and flavorful, though the dressing may thicken slightly, so give it a quick toss before serving.
Freezing
Because this salad is fresh and crunchy, freezing is not recommended. The texture of the cabbage and herbs would suffer, and the dressing’s fresh flavors could dull.
Reheating
As a cold salad, reheating isn’t necessary or suggested. It’s best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature to preserve the crispness and bright herbaceous notes that define the Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe.
FAQs
Can I use different greens in this salad?
Absolutely! While green cabbage is the star here, feel free to add or swap in shredded kale, romaine, or even napa cabbage to alter the texture and flavor to suit your preferences.
Is this salad vegan?
Yes, this salad is naturally vegan, especially since the dressing uses nutritional yeast instead of cheese to deliver that savory, cheesy depth.
What nuts work best in the dressing?
Walnuts are classic for their slightly bitter, rich flavor, but pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts work beautifully too, adjusting sweetness and creaminess subtly.
Can I prepare the dressing ahead of time?
Definitely! The dressing can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir or blend before tossing it with the chopped salad ingredients.
What if I don’t have rice wine vinegar?
No worries! You can substitute white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, though the flavor will be slightly different. Lemon juice helps maintain the bright acidity required for the dressing.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly uplifting about the Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe that makes it a fresh favorite in my kitchen. Its crisp textures, vibrant herbs, and creamy, tangy dressing come together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a side for dinner, or a make-ahead dish that stays bright and tasty, this salad is a must-try. I can’t wait for you to enjoy it as much as I do!
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Green Goddess Cabbage Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vibrant Green Goddess Cabbage Salad is a fresh, herb-packed dish bursting with flavor and texture. Featuring crunchy green cabbage, crisp cucumbers, and a luscious, tangy herb dressing made with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and nuts, this salad is perfect as a light lunch or a refreshing side. The creamy, dairy-free dressing is blended with an assortment of fresh herbs, spinach, and garlic, offering a nutritious and delicious way to enjoy greens.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 small head of green cabbage, diced
- 1 bunch of green onions, diced
- 3 to 4 baby cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber), finely diced
- 1/4 cup diced chives
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup soft herbs (basil, parsley, or dill)
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 shallot, peeled
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup walnuts (or pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts)
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Optional for Serving
- Tortilla chips, pita chips, or pita bread
Instructions
- Prepare the salad base: Combine the chopped cabbage, green onions, cucumbers, and chives in a large mixing bowl. Toss well to mix all the crunchy vegetables evenly.
- Make the herb dressing: Place the herbs, spinach, shallot, garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, walnuts, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, and sea salt into a blender or food processor. Blend for about 2 minutes until the herbs and spinach break down completely and a smooth, creamy dressing forms.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the blended dressing over the chopped cabbage mixture in the bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat all the vegetables evenly with the vibrant dressing.
- Serve: Serve the salad as is for a light side dish, or pair it with tortilla chips, pita chips, or pita bread for added texture and flavor. Enjoy immediately for the freshest taste.
Notes
- You can substitute the nuts in the dressing with pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts based on preference or availability.
- The herbs can be mixed and matched using basil, parsley, or dill to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
- For a smoother dressing, blend slightly longer or add a small amount of water if needed.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day; however, the cabbage might soften over time.
- Optional chips or pita bread add crunch and make this salad more substantial for a light meal.
