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 am craving this salad. I bet it's so crunchy and delish! I made it a feature at this week's Whimsical Wednesdays Link Party. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!
It's so good! Thank you so much!
It is hard for me to turn down any salad this time of year. I love Summer and salads. I do like cabbage and it is fun to have a cabbage salad every now and then, rather than lettuce all of the time. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I am just sure you'll love this one then!
What a great use for Napa cabbage…love it!!!
It is soooo good! Thanks!
I love the idea of toasted ramen. Bookmarking this to try this summer
It makes the perfect crunchy salad topping!
I love napa cabbage and use it often. That dressing and those toppings sound simply wonderful.
Now I'm curious how you use it!
Love the sound of the dressing and all the crunch going on there.
It is so simple and so good!