You are going to love this Purple Cabbage Salad! It’s the perfect summertime dish with its creamy garlic dressing, crisp cabbage, and crunchy toasted pecans.
If you love simple and delicious salads, then you should try this Cabbage Cucumber Salad and this Cucumber Radish Salad.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love this recipe for Purple Cabbage Salad because not only is it simple and so tasty, but it’s also so pretty. This dish really stands out at a buffet table and it’s hard not to love all its great flavors.
- TASTE: The cabbage has a mild flavor, but with the rich and tangy dressing full of garlic, the fresh dill, and the toasted pecans, it’s packed with wonderful tastes.
- TEXTURE: The crisp and crunchy cabbage and nuts contrast perfectly with the smooth and creamy dressing. This Purple Cabbage Salad packs deliciousness into every bite.
- TIME: This recipe only takes 10 minutes.
- EASE: It’s quick, easy, and everyone loves it. This salad is just what you need for your next get-together or potluck.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Mayonnaise– This is the creamy, rich base for the dressing.
- Sour cream- This ingredient adds some tanginess as well as creaminess.
- Garlic cloves- You can grate or press them. They have a great pungent flavor.
- Purple cabbage- This is the star of the show. It will add a mild flavor and lots of crunch.
- Fresh dill- This has a bright, somewhat sweet herbaceous flavor that tastes so good in this Purple Cabbage Salad.
- Pecans– These are toasted and chopped and will add a delicious nutty flavor with some crunch.
- Seasonings- Salt and Black pepper to taste.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Use a different dressing- If you want to make this salad lighter, instead of the creamy dressing, use one with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for a tangier, lighter dish.
- Add other vegetables and fruits- Try this Purple Cabbage Salad with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, mandarin oranges, pimento, or lemon.
- Add nuts and seeds- Add some more crunch with pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or chopped walnuts.
- Substitute green cabbage- If you don’t have purple cabbage, you can use green cabbage in its place, or go half and half.
How to Make Purple Cabbage Salad
- Make the dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Prep the cabbage. Cut a medium purple cabbage into 4 equal wedges. Then slice the core off of each wedge and slice each wedge into thin strips.
- Assemble the salad. Place the sliced cabbage into a large bowl and add the chopped pecans, dill, salt, pepper, and dressing to it. Combine until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Pro Tip: Cut the cabbage on the thin side so you don’t get big, unwieldy pieces when you take a bite.
Recipe Tips
- Use good quality cabbage- Look for a good quality cabbage head with tight leaves and a shiny head with no wilting or blemishes. It should feel heavy for its size.
- Keep the cabbage thin- You don’t want to only get a mouthful of cabbage, but all the delicious ingredients, so keep the cabbage strips nice and thin.
- Toast the pecans- Raw pecans are a little chewy, so toasting them will give them more crunch and also enhance their nutty taste.
- Use fresh dill- Fresh herbs have such great flavor. While you can use dried dill here if it’s all you have, it’s best to use fresh.
FAQs
Absolutely! In fact, eating red cabbage (aka purple cabbage) raw is the best way because it retains its health benefits, which can degrade when it’s cooked.
Cabbage should be washed before being used because bugs and dirt can get caught in the leaves. You still want to peel off the outer leaves, but washing cabbage is a must.
Serving Suggestions
This Purple Cabbage Salad is versatile enough to be served with any main course or other side dishes. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:
- Meats: Pair this salad with Air Fryer Pork Chops (VIDEO), Flank Steak Tacos, Grilled Chicken Kabobs, or Garlic Butter Steak Bites.
- Salad: Serve it alongside other salads, like this Eggplant Salad, Shredded Carrot Salad, Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, or Avocado Corn Salad.
- Sides: Enjoy this Purple Cabbage Salad with side dishes, such as Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, Eggplant Appetizers (Roll-ups), Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or Air Fryer Corn on the Cob.
- Soups: Serve it with a bowl of Potato Leek Soup, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Baked Potato Soup, or Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can premix the salad dressing and store it in the fridge. You can also chop and premix the salad ingredients, so the dressing just needs to be added when you’re ready to serve.
Storing: Store this Purple Cabbage Salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: The salad without dressing can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. But the dressing should be made fresh. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
More Tasty Salad Dishes!
Full Recipe Instructions
Purple Cabbage Salad
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 5 garlic cloves grated or pressed
- 1 medium purple cabbage
- 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans toasted and chopped
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and garlic in a small bowl. This will be the dressing.
- Cut a medium purple cabbage into 4 equal wedges. Then slice the core off of each wedge. Slice each each wedge into thin strips.
- Place the sliced cabbage into a large bowl. Add the chopped pecans, dill, salt, pepper, and dressing. Combine until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Nutrition
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Anna says
What do you recommend, to put the dressing couple hours before serving or right before serving for people?
simplyhomecooked says
Hey Anna, I would do about an hour before serving.
Anna says
Dina, it was my pleasure! This salad is one of my very favorites- because I love garlic.
simplyhomecooked says
We think a lot alike Anna, I love to put garlic in everything ????
jessica says
What would you serve this salad with? Thanks
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Jessica, this salad can be served with almost any chicken or fish dish. I usually serve it with grilled chicken and mashed potatoes.