Crunchy Purple Cabbage Salad Recipe

If you're looking for beauty in food, then what's prettier than vibrant purple cabbage? Purple cabbage also known as red cabbage (even though it looks purple) is a versatile vegetable with loads of health benefits. Not only is it loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but because it's in the cruciferous family of vegetables it comes with yet another list of superstar traits. 

Wellness coach and recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe and says, "Purple cabbage has a permanent home in my crisper drawer. I love adding it to every salad I make, and because it has a long shelf life, I can use a little bit each day for several weeks." 

In this salad, purple cabbage is the star of the show giving off a satisfyingly crunchy texture and a feast for the eyes. Read on to learn how to make this purple salad brimming with health benefits!

To make this recipe, head to the produce aisle at the grocery store and pick up some purple cabbage. "You'll need about half a head for this recipe if you are using a good size cabbage," Hahn remarks. Then grab a red onion and some shredded carrots. You can add some fresh parsley to your basket too if you want to add a pop of green to the finished dish. 

Then, to dress the salad, we'll need some olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. "One of my secrets for getting lots of vitamin A is always having shredded carrots in the house. They are so easy to throw into soup, salads, or Buddha bowls because they are ready to go," Hahn shares.

The first step in making this colorful salad is to cut the cabbage. You can use a mandolin for this job or a really sharp knife. We're going for very thin slices which will make this salad easy to eat. Follow the same method for slicing the red onion. Then pull out a big bowl and combine the sliced cabbage, red onion, and carrots.

For the dressing we'll be mixing it in a small bowl so grab one and add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and blend with a small whisk. "I love the freshness of homemade dressings. They are so easy to make and this one doesn't require a blender or food processor which makes it extra simple," Hahn shares.

The last step is to toss together the salad ingredients with the dressing. Hahn says, "I like to add the dressing right before serving. It will be fine if it's dressed ahead of time, but the salad will look the most vibrant right after you have tossed it with the dressing." 

This salad is a great item to bring to a barbeque potluck or enjoy with burgers or sandwiches at home. It also makes a great topper for sloppy joes or a pulled pork sandwich. Whether you're on a mission to include more cruciferous vegetables in your life or just looking for a crisp and crunchy salad, this recipe will be your new best friend.