This tasty napa cabbage salad has crunchy ramen bits, sunflower seeds and almonds to make it extra tasty. The simple homemade salad dressing ties it all together. Serve it as a side or add chicken to make it a meal.
I can still remember the first time I had this salad. We went over to my grandma’s house for a holiday dinner.
She was just pulling the toasted ramen out of the oven and it smelled wonderful.
I always loved holidays and grandma and grandpa’s, and I still do. So I am sure that adds to the warm and fuzzy feelings I get every time I make this salad.
My mom submitted the recipe in the now famous country parish cookbook all those years ago, so it is easy for me to pull out and make. Usually I make it as a side dish at gatherings, but this time I decided to add some chicken and make it an entree. It was really good that way as well!
I love how simple this recipe is to throw together. You can toast the goodies ahead of time if you are making it for a gathering.
The napa chops up easily enough and the dressing just requires stirring together a few simple ingredients. Of course that can be done even a day or two ahead.
My husband and I eat this with chicken as a meal at least a few times every summer. But I think it is also a really versatile side salad.
I’ve brought it to potlucks to rave reviews. I’ve served it along grilled meats, with a ham and even with a roast chicken.
If you aren’t familiar with napa, it is a really mild kind of cabbage. You will likely find it near the bok choy in the grocery store.
What does napa cabbage taste like?
The leaves are tender and the ribs are edible too, so I just leave it all together and chop it up. I do try to chop the larger parts of the rib a little finer, but we eat the whole thing.
Email Me The Link
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily find it later. Plus you’ll get new recipes from me every week!
Can you eat napa cabbage like lettuce?
Yes, napa works in the place of lettuce in most salads. You can also cook napa in a variety of preparations.
Have you ever tried napa cabbage in other recipes? What are your favorite ways to use it?
More great crunchy salads
Bok choy salad is full of crunch and flavor. Apples, cucumbers and peanuts are layered over bok choy and drizzled with a homemade peanut butter yogurt dressing.
Ramen noodle coleslaw is another recipe that uses the noodles for crunch. It is super simple and starts with bagged slaw mix making it really quick to put together.
Summer corn salad is a mix of fresh corn, bright tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers and more in a delicious fresh veggie mix.
Frito salad gets its crunch from crunchy corn chips. There is so much flavor packed into this delicious salad and the homemade catalina dressing ties it all together.
Grandma’s Napa Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 head Napa cabbage
- ½ cup green onions sliced
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 package Ramen noodles dry
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- Optional: Chicken Breasts
Dressing
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ vegetable oil or your favorite neutral flavored oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place butter on a rimmed baking sheet and place in oven until melted.2 Tablespoons butter
- Break up ramen noodles into small pieces. Toss the ramen pieces, sunflower seeds and almonds in butter on pan. Return the pan to the oven and bake, stirring every couple of minutes, until everything is toasted and golden brown. This should take about10 minutes. Set aside to cool.1 package Ramen noodles, ¼ cup sunflower seeds, ¼ cup sliced almonds
- Cut Napa cabbage in thin slices. Toss with green onions.1 head Napa cabbage, ½ cup green onions
- Mix together dressing ingredients and drizzle to your taste over the cabbage, tossing to coat.2 teaspoons soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ¼ vegetable oil
- Sprinkle with roasted ramen and nuts. Serve immediately.
Video
Email Me The Link
I’ll email this post to you, so you can easily find it later. Plus you’ll get new recipes from me every week!
Did you try this recipe?
Don’t forget to leave a rating below and make sure to follow on Pinterest and Instagram for more!
Get social!
Recipes in your inbox
I love a ramen noodle salad. Or anything Asian influenced. And I've never tried to use Napa in a salad as the base. Definitely going to try this one. Thanks for the recipe. Love hearing the family favorite recipes.
I'm sure it would be fine with cole slaw or something, but I love it with the Napa. You should definitely give it a try!
One of my most favorite salads!
Mine too!
Yum! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Thank you!
This sounds wonderful. What a great weeknight dinner idea. And healthy too! Pinning!
Thanks! It is one of my go-to's if I feel the need for a salad at home!
This looks so good!
This salad and spinach salad are my favorite make at home salads!
Isn't is so good? I hope you have a great Valentine's Day as well!
This Napa salad looks fresh and tasty. I like the fresh combination of simple yet tasty ingredients. It sounds great with the Napa cabbage, almonds, sunflower seeds. Thanks so much for sharing, Carlee.
It is one of my favorite salads and it is so simple to make. Thank you!
Jeez,this looks tasty and makes me want to actually put down the pizza and eat a salad. Pinned!
That is really saying something! We really love it, I hope you do too!
Hi Carlee,
This sounds like a salad that me and my family would love. I love making different kinds of salads to go with dinner. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Wishing you a wonderful week and a Happy Valentines Day.
Julie xo
Thank you, Julie! We don't eat as much salad as we probably should, but I almost always order salads when we go out to eat. I really should make more at home as I really do love them. Thanks for stopping by and have a great Valentine's Day!
Now I wish I had this salad waiting for me for lunch today!! Yum!! I love a cabbage salad!! Such a flavorful mix!
Me too, Andrea!