How to Make Vegan Sweet-and-Sour Cabbage Salad: Crunchy, Refreshing, and Unique

Cabbage salad is a familiar dish in Vietnamese cuisine, loved for its crisp texture, refreshing taste, and incredible versatility. From simple family meals to elegant vegetarian feasts, this salad often plays the role of an appetizer that awakens the palate and balances flavors. In this article, Vô Uý Vegetarian Restaurant shares how to make vegan cabbage salad and sweet-and-sour cabbage salad with clear, easy-to-follow steps that you can try at home.

Cabbage Salad – A Light, Refreshing Vegan Dish for Any Meal

Cabbage salad is one of the most well-known traditional salads in Vietnam. It appears in everyday family meals as well as formal vegetarian banquets. Made primarily from thinly shredded fresh cabbage, the dish offers a naturally crisp, cooling bite that is easy to enjoy and never feels heavy.

Not only is it suitable for vegetarians or those on a diet, but this salad is also an ideal choice to refresh the palate after rich or oily meals. The balanced sweet-and-sour dressing combined with crunchy vegetables creates a light yet flavorful dish. That’s why vegan cabbage salad and sweet-and-sour cabbage salad are always popular and widely searched.

Why Is Sweet-and-Sour Cabbage Salad So Popular?

Sweet-and-sour cabbage salad is a familiar choice, often served as an appetizer at vegetarian gatherings or family parties. Its gentle sourness, mild sweetness, and balanced seasoning help stimulate the appetite and ease diners into the meal.

Reasons this dish is so well loved:

• Easy-to-find ingredients at an affordable cost

• Simple to adapt for vegan or non-vegan styles

• Crisp and refreshing, helping balance rich meals

• Suitable for all ages, from children to seniors

Beyond its familiarity, this salad stands out for its convenience and flexibility. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create an appealing dish that suits many different tastes.

How to Make a Simple, Refreshing Vegan Cabbage Salad

Vegan cabbage salad doesn’t require complicated techniques, but it does call for care in preparation and dressing. When done correctly, the cabbage retains its natural crunch and blends perfectly with a well-balanced sweet-and-sour sauce—addictive without being heavy.

Below are popular cabbage salad recipes that are easy to apply and suit a wide range of preferences.

Sweet-and-Sour Vegan Cabbage Salad Everyone Will Love

This sweet-and-sour vegan cabbage salad is light, high in fiber, and very healthy. Naturally crisp cabbage combined with green mango, carrot, and a balanced dressing creates a refreshing, easy-to-eat dish suitable for any vegetarian meal.

Ingredients

• 1–2 heads white cabbage (depending on serving size)

• 1 small red cabbage

• 1 green mango

• 1–2 carrots

• 1 onion

• 3 limes

• 1–2 chilies

• Seasonings: sugar, MSG (optional), vegan seasoning powder, vegan fish sauce, salt, pepper

Preparation

• Wash cabbage, shred finely, soak in lightly salted water for about 15 minutes to reduce sharpness, then drain well.

• Peel and shred green mango and carrots.

• Slice onion thinly and soak in ice water with a little lime juice to keep it crisp and mild.

• Mince garlic and chili; squeeze lime juice.

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the dressing: 4 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp vegan fish sauce, 2 tbsp water, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp MSG (optional), and a pinch of salt. Stir well until dissolved, then add garlic and chili.

Step 2: Combine cabbage, carrot, mango, and onion in a large bowl. Slowly pour in the dressing and gently toss, lightly squeezing the vegetables so they absorb the flavors.

Step 3: Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle with pepper, roasted peanuts, and fresh herbs for extra aroma and texture.

Vegan Cabbage Salad with Peperomia (Rau Càng Cua)

This version offers a fresh, delicate flavor—perfect for those who enjoy light, plant-based dishes. Crunchy peperomia combined with cabbage and a mildly sour dressing creates a harmonious and refreshing salad.

Ingredients

• 200g white cabbage

• 200g peperomia leaves

• 1 carrot

• 1/2 onion

• 2 pieces vegan ribs or vegan sausage

• 6 cherry tomatoes

• 50g roasted peanuts

• Olive oil or sesame oil

• Vegan seasonings: lime, vinegar, sugar, salt, seasoning powder, pepper

Instructions

• Shred cabbage, soak briefly in salted water, then drain.

• Wash peperomia and cherry tomatoes; drain well.

• Shred vegan ribs and fry until crispy.

• Mix lime juice, vinegar, sugar, salt, vegan seasoning powder, and olive oil to make the dressing.

• Combine cabbage, carrot, onion, and peperomia in a bowl; toss gently with dressing.

• Top with peanuts, cherry tomatoes, and crispy vegan ribs or vegan sausage.

Cabbage Salad with Burdock Root

This modern-style salad blends East Asian flavors with healthy eating principles. Crispy fried burdock root adds an interesting contrast, while cabbage and cucumber keep the dish light and refreshing.

Ingredients

• 1 piece burdock root (about 15 cm)

• 1/4 small cabbage

• 2 cucumbers

• Salad dressing oil

• Salt, vinegar, crispy batter mix

Instructions

• Julienne burdock root, coat with crispy batter, and fry until golden.

• Slice cucumbers thinly, marinate briefly with salt and vinegar, then chill for extra crunch.

• Shred cabbage finely.

• Toss all ingredients with dressing just before serving.

Although these cabbage salad variations use different ingredients, they all share the same spirit: light, crisp, refreshing, and easy to eat. They are ideal choices to refresh your daily vegetarian menu or to serve as a gentle, palate-opening appetizer.

Tips for Mixing a Perfectly Balanced, Light Cabbage Salad

To achieve a well-rounded flavor in cabbage salad, fresh ingredients alone are not enough. Careful preparation and a well-balanced dressing play an equally important role. A good salad is one where sour – sweet – salty flavors are in harmony, the cabbage remains naturally crunchy, and the dish does not release excess water after mixing.

Key Tips to Make Cabbage Salad Taste Better

• Choose fresh cabbage: Opt for firm heads with tightly packed, vibrant leaves and no bruising to ensure a crisp texture.

• Slice thin and evenly: Finely shredded cabbage absorbs the dressing more evenly, resulting in a crunchy yet tender bite.

• Soak in ice water properly: After slicing, soak the cabbage and onions in cold ice water for about 10 minutes to enhance crunchiness and reduce pungency.

• Balance the dressing: The dressing should have a gentle balance of sour, sweet, and salty flavors—avoid overly sharp seasoning to preserve the salad’s light, refreshing character.

• Mix gently: Avoid squeezing too hard, as this can soften the cabbage and release water, reducing the dish’s appeal.

When these tips are applied correctly, cabbage salad retains its refreshing crunch, mild sweet-and-sour taste, and becomes far more enjoyable—whether served as an appetizer or alongside the main course.

Delicious Variations of Vegan Cabbage Salad to Try

One of the most appealing aspects of vegan cabbage salad is its flexibility. By simply changing accompanying ingredients or adjusting the dressing, you can create new versions while keeping the dish light and easy to enjoy.

Popular Vegan Cabbage Salad Variations

• Cabbage salad with roasted peanuts: The nutty richness of peanuts adds depth and makes the dish more filling.

• Refreshing purple cabbage salad: Eye-catching in color with a light crunch, perfect for vegetarian parties or summer meals.

• Cabbage salad rolls with soy skin: An elegant presentation, ideal as a refined appetizer.

• Southern-style cabbage salad: Bolder sweet-and-sour flavors, often served with crispy prawn crackers (vegetarian-friendly versions).

Thanks to its versatility, cabbage salad is not only a palate cleanser but also an easy way to refresh everyday vegetarian menus. Whether for a family meal or a vegetarian gathering, a little creativity can turn this simple dish into something exciting and never boring.

Conclusion

Cabbage salad is a light, refreshing dish that’s easy to prepare and suitable for many people—from vegetarians to those pursuing a healthy lifestyle. With the detailed guidance above, you can confidently make both vegan cabbage salad and sweet-and-sour cabbage salad at home with authentic flavor.

If you’d like to enjoy cabbage salad along with many other nourishing vegetarian dishes in a warm, refined setting, visit Vô Úy Vegetarian Restaurant. We’re delighted to offer you a wholesome, flavorful vegetarian dining experience that’s pleasing to both the eye and the palate.