Chinese Coleslaw
One of my Chief Culinary Consultant’s best friends has an unbelievable knack for throwing delicious summer parties. I walk away from every one of his get-togethers with a recipe I have to make. These parties have brought you the Beer and Brown Sugar Kielbasa & Sauerkraut, they’ve introduced me to the phenomenal Harry & David relishes and last year, I was reminded that I really needed to dig out my Aunt Dorothy’s recipe for Chinese Coleslaw. Before last year’s 4th of July cookout, I couldn’t remember the last time I had this coleslaw, but it was one of the side dishes that day and I (unapologetically) had several servings. It’s one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make, it feeds an army and people always rave about it, which makes it absolutely perfect for bringing to parties and get-togethers when you’re not sure what to make.
Save This Recipe
Enter your email address, and we'll send it straight to your inbox!
Growing up, my Great Aunt Dorothy was the keeper of the Fourth of July holiday – she had a cookout each and every year for extended family. While I don’t remember much about food from that long ago, I firmly associate two dishes with her and that picnic – this coleslaw and Strawberry Pretzel Salad. It’s probably no coincidence that I have little problem polishing off either one all by myself! This recipe is a combination of coleslaw, almonds, sunflower seeds, green onions and crushed Ramen noodles, tossed together with a sweetly seasoned dressing. It’s very light, and as a result, a perfect addition to summer menus.
I hope there’s another summer party in the works so I can discover more great recipes! What are some of your favorite eats for cookout/picnic season?
One year ago: Top 10 List: Favorite Brownie Recipes
Two years ago: Rocky Road Ice Cream
Three years ago: Italian Supreme Calzones
Chinese Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 32 ounces (907.19 g) coleslaw mix
- 1 cup (134 g) sunflower seeds, shelled (you can buy just the kernels)
- 1 cup (143 g) sliced almonds
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped
- 6 ounces (170.1 g) Ramen noodles, crushed
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup (218 ml) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (85 ml) white vinegar
- 2 seasoning packets from the Ramen noodles
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the coleslaw mix, sunflower seeds, almonds, green onions and crushed Ramen noodles.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, vinegar and seasoning packets until well blended.
- Pour the dressing over the coleslaw mixture and toss until it is evenly distributed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Cabbage costs about $1 a head and takes about 1 minute to chop into ribbons for slaw. In the summer I buy it weekly for a fresh slaw as a change of pace from other salads or sides–and I never use a “mayo” based dressing. I’ll be trying an adaptation of this recipe.
I have made this for years and have always used a seasoned rice vinegar and a little sesame oil. I also added toasted sesame seeds instead of sunflower seeds. I always chop my own cabbage but like the idea of using bagged for the extra color.
So intrigued by the use of the dried ramen seasoning in the dressing. Great way to use every part! Will definitely have to serve some of this up. Is there a particular ramen brand you use? Congrats on top 9!!
I’ve used the regular stuff you find in the grocery store, and also a beef-flavored package from the Asian aisle as well. (I can’t remember brand names, unfortunately!)
I’ve never heard of Chinese coleslaw… I’m actually Chinese so this makes me wonder if it’s not one of those fortune cookie things where it’s actually American in origin. I do wonder though, what makes it Chinese? Is it just the ramen? Is that supposed to offensive?
It’s so hard to be PC these days. I don’t understand how anyone can call a recipe “offensive”. This slaw is delicious!
it’s only offensive if you take offense to it. it’s not MEANT to be derrogatory in any way shape or form!!! and it IS delicious!
Youre right Sherry, its not Chinese or Asian. it jsut showed up on the itnernet a couple of years ago, and everyone is swearing theyve enjoyed it since the 70’s. Ive been around since the 60’s, and i never heard of it in USA either until last year. the sodium alone is extrmely unhealthy, due to several reasons, i cannot chew this and i certainly dont need tankles from my HBP. =)
Someone at church always made this for church picnics and get-togethers. I remembered loving it. I can’t wait to make it for myself.
I am so, so, digging this! Awesome!
What a nice change for coleslaw, and colorful!!
Thanks for getting back with me. I think you are right and I actually thought that right after I wrote it…like duh… depends if I’m on low carb or what…. doi:D Now that control part (otherwise known as moderation)… hmmmmm what to do about that??? lol
Thanks for sharing!
This reminds me of family get togethers because my great aunt would always bring this!
This looks like the perfect summer salad! Something different – love it!
Yum! I bet this would also be fantastic with a dash of sesame oil or rice wine vinegar :)
love to see a twist on cole slaw and this looks great. great pics too.
that looks so delicious! i love the crunchy Ramen noodles in there too! yum!
I love this with a little chicken as well, but the REAL secret is to use PEANUT OIL instead of veg or corn oil. VERY tasty! I think a few drops of sesame oil (which is very strong) and maybe some fresh ginger would be yummy too. I’m going to make this today!!
Thanks for the tip on the peanut oil, Victoria! I’ll give that a try next time!
This coleslaw is my absolute favorite way to eat a head of cabbage! Mine is just a little different (with the use of sesame oil and tamari instead of vinegar), but I could totally eat a huge bowl of this for lunch. I have to control myself around the stuff :)
Not to be annoying, but my husband and I are on diets and this appears to be harmless… do you happen to know if it is good for dieting??
Hi Angela, To be honest, there are so many different kinds of diets nowadays that I really can’t say one way or the other whether this recipe would work for your particular diet. You can check to see if any of the ingredients are “no-no’s”, or plug it into a calorie calculator to see what the nutrition stats are. I generally feel that anything in moderation isn’t going to kill you, but I can’t give a definitive yes or no for anyone’s specific diet situation.
Ooooh – chinese coleslaw is one of my favs! Bookmarking this for picnics this summer! :)
I do a similar recipe that includes chicken (we have it as a main dish), but I love the addition of the almonds and the sunflowers seeds in yours! I’m going to have to try that next time.
I like the added crunch to this coleslaw from the ramen noodles and almonds. Looks yummy!
Is there a specific flavor of Ramen that you use for this? Looks yummy and unique!
One more question….. When you say crushed do you mean crumbs or just smaller pieces? Sorry for all of the questions!
Hi Rebecca, Just smaller pieces. I just take the package and crush it in my hands. You can see in the photos that there are little pieces, not crushed into crumbs, though.
Hi Rebecca, You can use anything you like – usually just the classic Ramen packets (chicken), but I’ve used beef, too.
Thanks so much! I can’t wait to make this for July 4th! :)
Since this is Chinese slaw, I think the Oriental flavor would be perfect. Really, though, any flavor will do.
This is delicious – even the kids like it! We use one bag of cole slaw and one bag of broccoli slaw. We brown the ramen noodles in the oven first. Just a different recipe. So Yummy!
THANKS!! Was looking for something unusual for July 4th. Just found it.
I love Chinese coleslaw, yet I don’t like American coleslaw! :) This looks wonderful!!
It is because of the mayo.
To avoid overly soft noodles I mix everything together EXCEPT the crushed noodles and the dressing. I toss it all together 30 minutes before serving. If the salad isn’t going to be eaten in one day then I mix smaller amounts of each.
I make something very similar here in Australia Michelle. http://www.changs.com/recipes/view-recipe?id=90e1d9544e2a624ad5a9838d57a3ca5b
Will definitely try yours though :)
I have a friend who adds cooked chicken to her Chinese coleslaw recipe, yummy ! Can’t wait to try yours
Whenever I think of ramen noodles, I’m reminded of that Allstate commercial about the girl on a Ramen Noodle budget.
From the looks of it, this recipe might be low budget, but I’m just as sure the taste isn’t. :)
Love all your creative additions!! Great summer recipe :)
I really like the idea of adding sunflower seeds and almonds to coleslaw. Yum, yum!