Name: Crunchy Coleslaw
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use avocado oil); 3 tablespoons white vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons sesame seeds; 1/2 cup almonds (sliced or slivered); 3-ounce package chicken-flavored Ramen noodles (including the seasoning packet); 1 14 to 16-ounce bag of coleslaw mix

Jump to Recipe

This special recipe for Crunchy Coleslaw starts with a coleslaw mix. Add toasted almonds and sesame seeds along with crushed Ramen noodles. It’s all covered with a light sweet and sour vinaigrette. Talk about EASY!

Crunchy Coleslaw in a bowl with serving spoon

⬇️Jump to:

Ingredients
Recipe Tips
How to make Crunchy Coleslaw
Recipe

How do you like your coleslaw?

The whole subject can be polarizing. Some like it tart, others sweet. Some prefer it with onions, others not. Some want mayonnaise in the dressing while others prefer a vinaigrette.

My daughter-in-law’s Crunchy Coleslaw recipe is a variation on the traditional recipe. I think you will love it regardless of the aforementioned preferences.

Ingredients:

This coleslaw recipe uses a grocery store coleslaw mix for convenience. Add toasted almonds and crushed Ramen noodles. At the last minute, pour a simple sweet-and-sour vinaigrette over the salad. Enjoy the CRUNCH.

Cabbage and carrots:

A coleslaw mix can be a mixed bag. Nearly all will include shredded cabbage and carrots. The one shown below includes purple cabbage. Some mixes include shredded broccoli. Any of these will work.

If you prefer the texture of preparing your own cabbage and carrots, go right ahead. I’m sure your salad will be even more delicious.

Ramen Noodles:

The recipe calls for chicken flavor. The spice envelope that comes in the package is included in the recipe so the flavor matters. Buy the spicy chicken flavor for an interesting variation.

Almonds:

Toasted sliced almonds are the secret to this recipe. You could also use slivered almonds (matchstick-shaped almonds).

I like to toast the almonds and sesame seeds in the microwave. It takes less than 90 seconds.

If you don’t have almonds in the pantry and need a quick substitute, try chopped peanuts or sunflower seeds. Both are crunchy and have a similar taste profile.

Sesame Seeds:

Sesame seeds add a lot of flavor to this recipe. Be sure your seeds are fresh. They can go rancid quickly. Always smell them first. Sesame seeds that smell bad will ruin your salad.

Oil:

Avocado oil is my first choice. Any light vegetable oil such as canola will work.

Vinegar:

Instead of white vinegar, try apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.

Recipe tips:

This cabbage salad is best when mixed shortly before serving. Eat it before the noodles absorb moisture from the dressing and lose their crunch.

Because the crunchy parts get soft, this coleslaw doesn’t keep well. Fortunately, that’s not a big deal because I doubt you’ll have much leftover. (My daughter-in-law loves the leftovers, so don’t go by me.)

If you want to make this salad ahead of time, mix the dressing in a shakeable jar (up to three days ahead of time). Keep all ingredients separate until you are ready to serve.

How to make Crunchy Coleslaw:

Combine sugar, oil, vinegar, and black pepper

Whisk salad dressing together, cover, and put it in the fridge.

Toast sliced almonds and sesame seeds in the microwave for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes on HIGH.

Break up and crush Ramen noodles into pieces.

When ready to eat, combine coleslaw mix, almonds, sesame seeds, and Ramen noodles into a large bowl.

Serve immediately for maximum crunchiness.

Pin the picture below to save for later.

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, consider helping other readers and me by returning to this post. Leave a rating on the recipe card itself underneath the picture. Although always appreciated, comments aren’t required. Thank you for visiting! Paula

Crunchy Coleslaw

Yield: 10 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Try this slightly untraditional coleslaw with a sweet-and-sour dressing, almonds, and Ramen noodles. It's full of flavor and crunch.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use avocado oil)
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 cup almonds (sliced or slivered)
3-ounce package chicken-flavored Ramen noodles (including the seasoning packet)
1 14 to 16-ounce bag of coleslaw mix

Instructions

Mix sugar, oil, vinegar, and pepper together to make the dressing. Use a small container you can shake to mix to make it easier to transport later.
Toast sesame seeds and almonds. (I do this in my microwave for 1-1/2 minutes on a paper plate. Stir once.) When cooled, put into a zippered plastic bag if not eating immediately.
Put a whole brick of Ramen noodles with seasoning packet into a quart-size zippered plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to crush. Store in a bag until ready to assemble the salad.
Place coleslaw into a salad bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Bring salad dressing container, nuts, and crushed Ramen noodles with you to wherever salad will be eaten.
Just before it's time to eat, add nuts, Ramen noodles, and dressing to the bowl of coleslaw. This recipe is best fresh and crunchy.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 servings Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 278Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 330mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 5g

Related Posts:

Updated February 2020.

Crunchy Coleslaw Recipe: This Version is One of the Best