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Napa Cabbage Salad With Ramen and Sunflower Seeds

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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.

Bowl of napa salad with sweet and sour dressing, crunchy ramen and sunflower seeds and sliced chicken on top.

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.  

Napa cabbage, ramen noodles, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds and butter ready to be made into salad.

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!

toasted ramen noodle and almond sliver crunchies on baking sheet.

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.

bowl of napa salad ready to serve.

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.

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.

dinner plate with napa salad on one side and a chicken breast on the other.

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.

Bowl of napa salad with toasted ramen and chicken breasts.

Grandma’s Napa Salad

Carlee
This tasty napa cabbage salad has crunchy ramen noodle 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.
5 from 7 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salads
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 173 kcal

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

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 173kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 8gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 554mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7g
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Recipe Rating




Anonymous

Wednesday 6th of June 2018

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!

Carlee

Sunday 10th of June 2018

It's so good! Thank you so much!

Amy

Monday 4th of June 2018

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.

Carlee

Tuesday 5th of June 2018

I am just sure you'll love this one then!

Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck

Thursday 31st of May 2018

What a great use for Napa cabbage...love it!!!

Carlee

Tuesday 5th of June 2018

It is soooo good! Thanks!

Anne

Wednesday 30th of May 2018

I love the idea of toasted ramen. Bookmarking this to try this summer

Carlee

Tuesday 5th of June 2018

It makes the perfect crunchy salad topping!

Karen

Tuesday 29th of May 2018

I love napa cabbage and use it often. That dressing and those toppings sound simply wonderful.

Carlee

Tuesday 5th of June 2018

Now I'm curious how you use it!