Crunchy Hawaiian Salad
A vibrant, crunchy salad featuring shredded cabbage, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, and sesame seeds, all coated in a tangy sesame vinegar dressing—perfect for gatherings or as a refreshing side.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oil ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons vinegar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 head cabbage, shredded ⓘ
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained ⓘ
- 1 (3 oz.) package Ramen noodles ⓘ
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine oil, sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; mix well.
- Chill the dressing in the refrigerator.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, chopped green onions, and drained mandarin oranges; mix well.
- Reserve the seasoning packet from the Ramen noodles for another use.
- Crumble the uncooked Ramen noodles into the salad.
- Sprinkle toasted slivered almonds and toasted sesame seeds over the salad.
- Add the dressing and toss to mix everything thoroughly.
Tips & Substitutions
For added crunch, consider using different nuts like walnuts or pecans instead of slivered almonds. You can also substitute the Ramen noodles with crispy chow mein noodles for a different texture. If you prefer a lighter dressing, reduce the sugar or use a sugar substitute. To make this salad vegan, ensure that the Ramen noodles are egg-free.
Serving Suggestions
This Crunchy Hawaiian Salad is perfect as a refreshing side dish at summer barbecues or potlucks. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish and can be served alongside other salads, such as Nine-Day Cole Slaw. For a complete meal, consider adding shredded rotisserie chicken or tofu for extra protein.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad may lose some crunch over time, so it's best to add the almonds and sesame seeds just before serving. If reheating is necessary, gently toss the salad and serve it cold rather than heating it up to maintain freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Crunchy Hawaiian Salad contains roughly 141 calories, with 2g protein, 6g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (25% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 616mg per serving (27% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients in advance, but it's best to add the dressing, almonds, and sesame seeds just before serving to keep everything crispy. You can make the dressing a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator.
What can I use instead of sesame oil?
If you don't have sesame oil, you can substitute it with a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil, although it won't have the same nutty flavor. A drop of nut extract can help mimic the flavor if desired.
Is this salad gluten-free?
The original recipe is not gluten-free due to the Ramen noodles. However, you can easily adapt it by using gluten-free noodles or crispy rice noodles. Always check labels to ensure other ingredients are gluten-free.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).