Easy Purple Cabbage Slaw with Parmesan Balsamic Dressing

Purple cabbage slaw served on a platter, with kale, dates, walnuts, and Mandarin oranges

5 from 2 votes

Easy Purple Cabbage Slaw with Parmesan Balsamic Dressing

Crunchy, healthy purple cabbage slaw that's loaded with texture, flavor, and colors! It's slightly sweet, tangy, and absolutely delicious with Medjool dates, mandarin oranges, parmesan, and walnuts.

Prep Time15

Cook Time5

Total Time20

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cabbage and kale slaw, purple cabbage slaw, red cabbage slaw

Servings: servings

Ingredients

1 cup walnuts
1/2 head medium purple cabbage
1/2 bunch lacinato kale
1/2 cup Natural Delights Medjool Dates
10 oz canned mandarin oranges reserve 2 tbsp of juice for the dressing

Parmesan Balsamic Dressing

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
1/4 cup water plus more, if needed
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp juice from canned mandarin orange
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

Combine all ingredients for the dressing in a blender, and blend until smooth. Add more water 1 tablespoon at a time if the dressing won't blend properly or if it's too thick for your liking. Set aside.
Heat a dry skillet over medium heat, and add walnuts. Cook stirring for 4-5 minutes, until they are fragrant and golden brown. Remove from heat, then coarsely chop.
Core and thinly slice red cabbage. Remove the stems from kale, then stack the leaves to slice into thin ribbons. Remove the pit and chop the Medjool dates into 1/2 inch pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, add cabbage, kale, Medjool dates, and walnuts. Drain the Mandarin oranges and add to the bowl. (If not eating right away, add walnuts and Mandarin oranges just before serving.)
Pour the dressing over the slaw, then toss to coat evenly.
Serve, topped with more grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

Serving Tips

This salad is wonderful with grilled chicken, steak, pulled pork, wings, drumsticks, or just on its own. You can even add in shredded cooked chicken to make it a complete meal, or serve alongside burgers, sandwiches, and fish tacos.

Storage Tips

You can stored this red cabbage salad recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It'll still maintain that wonderful crunch and taste amazing! I don't recommend freezing this slaw.

Nutrition