Marinated Red Cabbage Slaw

A quick marinated red cabbage slaw is the best vegetable to prep ahead of the week. No mayo required and can be easily added to any meal for a nutrition boost.

I want you to eat your vegetables, but I also want you to enjoy them. I also want to keep in mind that the world is very expensive and that time is valuable. That’s why I make this marinated red cabbage slaw almost weekly. Cheap, easy to make, and keeps for the week in your fridge so you can pretty much add it to any meal for a quick nutrition boost.

Why You’ll Want to Make This Pink Slaw

• Great way to reduce food waste. I buy a lot of cabbage because it is cheap. Whatever bits we don’t use in a recipe will end up turning into this slaw by the end of the week, which means nothing ends up going to waste and I get to enjoy every bit of the food I purchased!
• Easy meal prep. It uses minimal cheap ingredients, can be prepped in a large storage container, which will make it much easier to just throw into meals for quick nutrition wins.
• The perfect nutrition compliment to your meals. I go in more detail with the nutrition below, but red cabbage is my super food of choice because of it’s antioxidants and cancer protective properties.

Red Cabbage Benefits

• it’s a cruciferous vegetable that contains the polyphenol anthocyanin, a potent antioxidant that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and acts protective against a variety of chronic diseases
• has over 50% of your daily vitamin C in a single 1 cup serving to help you better absorb iron from your food and support collagen synthesis
• is an excellent source of glucosinolates, a sulfur-containing compound that is inversely associated with cancers like colon cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
• cheap per pound and you can find it pre-shredded in stores

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

• Red Cabbage: Can still work with green cabbage!
• Red Onion: The red/purple theme is fun! However, you can opt for shallots or white onion if that’s what you have on hand.
• Lime Juice: Fresh limes are preferred. I find that the juiciest limes tend to be thinner skinned, which you can usually feel for when gently squeezing a lime.
• Maple Syrup: Or organic white sugar works just as well! You only need a small amount (like about 1 tsp) to balance some of the sharp flavors from the vinegar and citrus.
• Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar work equally well!
• Salt: I recommend Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt for most of my recipes as it can help you better control how salty your final product is.
• Oil: I like to change what I’m using based on what I plan to use the cabbage for. If I want it more neutral in flavor so I can put it on everything, I’ll use either avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil. When I want some more East Asian forward flavors, I like to use toasted sesame oil with some sesame seeds.
• Spices: Again, this will vary. I most often make this fairly basic so it can fit a variety of meals. Basic things I like to add include black pepper and red chili flakes. I also like dry herbs like bay leaves, oregano, or dill.

How to Make This Easy Marinated Red Cabbage Slaw

Add the cabbage and onions to the mixing bowl with a generous pinch of salt. Then add the lime, vinegar, maple syrup, and oil.

Massage the dressing into the cabbage and onions until slightly softened and a little more pink in color.

Add the black pepper and dry oregano. I recommend rubbing the oregano lightly in your palm to enhance it’s flavor. Once added, toss to combine.

Taste the slaw, and if it needs more salt, add another pinch and massage into the slaw. You can also stir in more spices or herbs based on your preference.

Transfer everything including the juices to an airtight container. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight so that the cabbage can soften a little more and turn hot pink in color.

Expert Tips

• Massage your cabbage! This will help evenly distribute the ingredients and will soften it enough to help make it easier to digest.
• Change up the flavors. I kept this batch pretty neutral in flavor, but you can change up the spices, citrus, vinegar, and oils as you like. For a sesame version, swap the oil for toasted sesame oil and swap the oregano for ground sesame seeds.
• Add more veggie variety. This also works well with shredded carrots, chilies, and/or jicama.
• Make it convenient. Speed up the recipe by shredding your veggies with a mandoline or buying a bag of pre-shredded cabbage.
• Rub dry herbs like oregano between your hands before adding to the slaw. The warmth and friction helps wake up the flavors by helping to release their natural oils.

How to Store Red Cabbage Slaw

Transfer the slaw along with all the juices at the bottom of the bowl to an airtight container. Cover and place in the fridge for up to 7 days. I recommend using clean utensils to grab the portion you want from the container to avoid the cabbage from spoiling.

Ways to Use This Nutrition Addition

I make a regular batch of this quick pickled slaw to keep in the fridge for easy meal building. It’s a great addition to sandwiches or bowls that need a boost in nutrition, flavor, and crunch. Here are some more specific ideas to show you their versatility:

• It’s the perfect addition to this Hoisin Glazed Yuba and Eggplant Sandwich
• Easy to modify the flavors to fit any nourish bowl like this Crispy Citrus Shredded Tofu
• Great topped over a yummy bean tostada or served over these Black Bean Taquitos
• An easy veggie to add to your favorite proteins so you don’t have to do extra cooking, for example these Lime Drenched Black Bean Patties or these Herby Scallion Tofu Patties

Watch Me Make This Recipe

Recipe videos provide a general idea for recipe preparation. Please read the full recipe instructions and notes for the most accurate recipe results.

More Nutrition Additions to Try

• High Fiber White Rice
• How to Make Chickpea Crispies
• Cilantro Lime Edamame Toast with Pickled Onion Radish Salad
• Caramelized Lemon Chickpea Salad Sandwich

If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, then let me know what you thought in the comments below! And if you loved it, don’t forget to rate it too. Feel free to follow on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for the latest nutrition tips and recipe videos.

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