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.
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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
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I love adding chicken to what are usually side salads. Good call on this one. It looks delicious and I love sunflower seeds in salads too.
It really is a perfect summer supper!
I haven't tried napa cabbage! Definitely need to pick some up!
You definitely should! Even my cabbage adverse husband likes this salad!
Love the combo of toasted ramen, sunflower seeds and almonds, sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend?!
It is the perfect crunchy topping!
This sounds so delicious! I've pinned it! YUM!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thank you, it is always a favorite!
This looks delicious Carlee! I am definitely going to have to pin this and try it sometime! I love a good Asian salad especially if it has a sweet dressing or vinaigrette on it!
Thanks! I love sweet Asian style salads too, so this was an instant hit with me. I hope you love it!
Hi Carlee, have you tried to toast Ramen noodles and the seeds and nuts without the butter? I imagine that should be no problem, right? Does butter affect the taste dramatically? I am going to add this salad to my menu next week. I have ALL the ingredients, when does that happen?:)
Isn't it fun when you don't have to go out to the store! I haven't tried it that way, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. You'll have to let me know how it goes, otherwise I'll try it myself next time I get a hankering for some napa salad!
Loving how this recipe's for napa! I see it and want to buy it frequently, but then I'm never really sure what to do with it. This salad sounds like a wonderful idea. 🙂
I love napa! It is a really mild cabbage, so great for quick salads like this. I hope you give it a try soon!
I hope you love it as much as we do!
Yummy! This salad sounds so good. I have been hooked on salad lately and this is very different from what I've been eating. Can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!
This is one of my favorite make at home salads. I love salads out, but don't love them nearly as much at home for whatever reason. This is one of the few exceptions!
I have to stop reading your posts while I am hungry Carlee, looks delish! Thank you for sharing on #overthemoon
I know, it's terrible isn't it? Thank you!