Spicy Korean Coleslaw—Quick and Easy Recipe

Name: Quick and Easy Spicy Korean Coleslaw
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 small head green cabbage, shredded into thin strips; or 1 bag shredded cabbage or slaw mix; 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced, optional; 1 carrot, julienned, optional; 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced; 4 or 5 scallions, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, or white vinegar; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper ( kochukaru / gochugaru ); 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 0 mins

Total: 15 mins

Servings: 4 to 6 servings

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This is an easy Korean "salad" with a flavor profile similar to kimchi. It's a fresh, crunchy take on the classic Korean dish, and it only takes a few minutes to throw together. The combination of garlic, soy sauce, sesame, and vinegar makes a flavorful dressing for fresh cabbage, onions, and carrots. You'll find the Korean crushed red pepper at Asian markets. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your spice tolerance.

This Korean slaw is made even quicker and easier thanks to bagged coleslaw mix. There's no mayo, so this salad is light and pairs well with both picnic food and Korean meals. Try serving it with grilled chicken, fish, or beef.

Make Ahead

Save some time and prep the veggies the night before, place them in airtight containers, and put them in the fridge. When ready, prepare the sauce and mix it with the veggies. This salad is best eaten the day of making it so it retains its crunchiness.

What You'll Need to Make This Spicy Korean Coleslaw Recipe

A Great Garlic Press

A Handy Dandy Mandoline

A Sharp Chef's Knife

1 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced, or 1 bag shredded cabbage or slaw mix
1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage, optional
1 medium carrot, julienned, optional
1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
4 to 5 medium scallions, coarsely chopped
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice or white vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons crushed red pepper (kochukaru/gochugaru)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Gather the ingredients.

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi
Combine 1 small head green cabbage (thinly sliced) or slaw mix, 1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage (optional), 1 medium carrot (julienned, optional), 1 small sweet onion (thinly sliced), and 4 to 5 medium scallions (coarsely chopped) in a large bowl.

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi
Combine the 3 medium cloves garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice or white vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper (kochukaru/gochugaru), 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds in a small bowl and mix.

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to combine. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately or chill for a few hours to allow the flavors a chance to develop.

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Korean Food 101

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
133	Calories
3g	Fat
25g	Carbs
5g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	133
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	2%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 414mg	18%
Total Carbohydrate 25g	9%
Dietary Fiber 6g	21%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 87mg	433%
Calcium 147mg	11%
Iron 1mg	7%
Potassium 616mg	13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.