Weird Salad
A vibrant, crunchy salad with a tangy dressing, toasted sesame and almonds, perfect for casual gatherings or as a unique side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons MSG or Accent ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 head cabbage, chopped
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped ⓘ
- 4 grated carrots
- 1/4 cup sesame seed ⓘ
- 1 cup slivered almonds ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 2 packages Ramen noodles, broken ⓘ
Instructions
- One hour prior to serving, mix chopped cabbage, green onions, and grated carrots in a large bowl.
- Saute sesame seeds and slivered almonds in butter until golden brown, then add to the vegetables.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together salad oil, rice vinegar, sugar, pepper, MSG or Accent, and salt to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss to combine.
- Immediately before serving, add broken ramen noodles to the salad and toss briefly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, you can substitute half of the salad oil with Greek yogurt. If you want to add more flavor, consider incorporating some chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. To avoid sogginess, ensure the ramen noodles are added just before serving. This salad is versatile, so feel free to add other veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers based on your preference.
Serving Suggestions
This Weird Salad makes a fantastic side dish for grilled meats or fish, especially during summer barbecues. It pairs beautifully with Old Fashioned Peach Pie for a sweet finish. For a heartier meal, consider serving it alongside a protein-rich dish like baked chicken or tofu, making it a great option for vegetarian recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The vegetables will start to wilt, so it's best to consume the salad within this timeframe. If reheating, you can warm the noodles separately and mix them with the salad just before eating to maintain texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Weird Salad contains roughly 667 calories, with 21g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 55g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (69% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (54% of the Daily Value), and protein (41% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1916mg per serving (83% 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 vegetable mixture and dressing ahead of time, storing them separately in the fridge. Just combine them and add the ramen noodles right before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
What can I substitute for MSG?
If you prefer not to use MSG, you can replace it with soy sauce or a splash of Worcestershire sauce, which will add umami flavor. Alternatively, you can simply omit it and adjust the seasoning to taste.
Is this salad gluten-free?
The traditional ramen noodles contain gluten, so to make this salad gluten-free, you can substitute with gluten-free noodles or even try using spiralized zucchini for a lighter option.
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).