Top Ramen Salad
A vibrant, crunchy salad featuring shredded cabbage, vegetables, cooked chicken, and crispy Ramen noodles, dressed in a tangy sesame and soy vinaigrette—perfect for potlucks and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cabbage ⓘ
- 3 to 4 green onions ⓘ
- 1 pkg. Top Ramen (chicken flavor) ⓘ
- 2 carrots ⓘ
- 1 cup petite peas ⓘ
- 1 cup diced celery ⓘ
- 2 cups cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1 can sliced water chestnuts
- 2 tablespoons sesame seed ⓘ
- 1/4 cup distilled vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 small bell pepper (optional) ⓘ
- bamboo shoots (optional) ⓘ
- sprouts, etc. (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables: shred cabbage, slice green onions including stems, grate carrots, use uncooked frozen peas, dice celery, and drain sliced water chestnuts.
- Toss together the prepared vegetables in a large bowl.
- Add chopped, cooked chicken (from 2 cans).
- Break up the uncooked Ramen noodles into small pieces using the handle of a knife before opening the package, then add them to the bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together distilled vinegar, oil, brown sugar, and soy sauce to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.
- Sprinkle sesame seed on top and add optional ingredients like bell pepper, bamboo shoots, or sprouts if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For added crunch, consider using additional vegetables like bell peppers or sprouts, which can enhance the texture and flavor of the salad. If you prefer a lighter dressing, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar or substitute it with honey. For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with tofu or chickpeas, and use vegetable broth-flavored Ramen.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Top Ramen Salad chilled as a refreshing side dish or a light main course. It pairs beautifully with Chicken Cheddar Casserole for a hearty meal. To elevate your presentation, consider garnishing with additional sesame seeds or fresh herbs. This dish is also great for potlucks or barbecues, as it can be made in advance.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep the noodles from becoming soggy, consider storing the dressing separately and adding it just before serving. For reheating, gently warm in a microwave, stirring to ensure even heating, but note that the salad is best served cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Top Ramen Salad contains roughly 690 calories, with 9g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 60g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (91% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (76% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1521mg per serving (66% 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 use a different flavor of Ramen noodles?
Yes, you can definitely use different flavors of Ramen noodles to customize the taste of your salad. However, keep in mind that the flavor of the dressing will complement the chicken flavor best. Experimenting with shrimp or beef flavors could also add a unique twist.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Top Ramen Salad is an excellent choice for meal prep! Just prepare the vegetables and chicken in advance, and store them separately from the dressing and noodles. Combine everything just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
How can I make this salad spicier?
To add some heat to your Top Ramen Salad, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a splash of sriracha into the dressing. You could also sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top before serving for an extra kick.
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).