Roasted Cabbage Salad With Spicy Lime Dressing

By Kristina Felix

Updated March 13, 2026

  • Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Spencer Richards.
Media 1 of 1
Ready In
45 min
Rating
5(641)
Comments
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This winter cabbage salad takes a cue from a classic Vietnamese cabbage and chicken salad and has plenty of kick from lime juice, serrano chiles and fish sauce. Tempeh and peanuts are roasted with the cabbage for varied texture and a hit of protein. Add more vegetables if you like: try halved cherry tomatoes, cucumber or charred green beans. The fish sauce and lime juice are your flavor makers, so don't be afraid to add more of either to suit your taste. The cabbage salad keeps for up to 5 days in the refrigerator and is great at room temperature, perfect for a quick lunch. 

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings, plus leftovers

  • 1 small green cabbage, about 1 ½ pounds

  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

  • 1 bunch scallions

  • 2 serrano chiles

  • 2 garlic cloves

  • 6 tablespoons lime juice, plus more to taste (from 3 limes)

  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce, plus more to taste

  • 2 medium carrots

  • One (8-ounce) package soy tempeh

  • ¾ cup roasted unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped

  • 2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil

  • Freshly cooked long-grain white rice, such as jasmine, for serving

  • 1 bunch cilantro or mint leaves (or a combination)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat your oven to 400 degrees. If you have a convection function, turn it on.

  2. Step 2

    While your oven heats, quarter the cabbage through the core, cut away and discard the core, then slice the cabbage into shreds. Place on a sheet pan and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Squeeze the salt into the cabbage and arrange in one layer. Allow the cabbage to sit while you prep the remaining ingredients. 

  3. Step 3

    Trim the scallions, then cut off the scallion whites and cut them in half lengthwise. Place on top of the cabbage. Chop the scallion greens and place them in a large bowl.

  4. Step 4

    Cut the stems of the chiles off and discard, then quarter them lengthwise. If desired, remove the seeds, then dice the serranos and place them in the bowl with the scallion greens. Mince the garlic cloves, then toss them into the bowl. Add the lime juice, fish sauce and 1 teaspoon salt. Grate the carrots into the bowl, mix and allow to sit while the cabbage roasts. 

  5. Step 5

    Transfer the sheet pan with the cabbage to the oven and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and crumble the tempeh on top, then add the peanuts and oil and, using tongs, toss to combine. Return to the oven and roast, tossing once halfway through, until edges of cabbage and scallions are browned and peanuts and tempeh are golden, 15 to 20 minutes. 

  6. Step 6

    To serve, transfer the contents of the sheet pan to the bowl with the dressing, and toss to coat. Taste for fish sauce and lime juice. Scoop a generous amount of rice into bowls and top with a very generous serving of salad. Top with cilantro or mint leaves. The salad keeps for up to 5 days in the refrigerator and is great at room temperature.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
641 user ratings
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Comments

Annemie

I've never been the first to review a recipe here - especially since I prefer recipes that have been well-vetted by this community - but this one called to me as an easy, healthy weeknight dinner... and did not disappoint! A whole cabbage seemed like a lot, but after roasting (on two pans), it was just the right amount. My #1 tip would be to speed the carrot/cabbage prep with a food processor... otherwise, this came together quickly and easily. Already looking forward to leftovers!

Julie Buckley

@Stinebean I have blended 1:1 hoison sauce with capers and used that to substitute for fish sauce with good results in other recipes.

Ryan H

Delicious! I added cucumber, red onion and cherry tomatoes. Next time, I would add more tempeh. My pregnant wife wanted something with rice and vegetables for dinner and this recipe popped up the same day :)

Lynne Harty

So easy and delicious. Surprising, actually.

Felicia Brown

This was absolutely delicious! I did however make a couple of tweaks, replacing the tempeh with marinated tofu and adding a couple of tablespoons of sugar to the dressing, plus extra fish sauce. The traditional Vietnamese Nuoc Cham dressing includes sugar to balance the sourness of the lime juice and I find it makes a big difference to the flavour.

Sophia

I make this with tofu instead of tempeh and just roast it along with the cabbage. Its SO good. And keeps great! I eat it cold all week straight from the Tupperware:)

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