Orange Fennel Tahini Slaw – A Fresh and Flavorful Lunch Salad
A good cabbage salad is always satisfying. This Orange Fennel Tahini Slaw is full of fresh flavors and textures. This salad is full of flavor in every bite.
It has crunch, sweetness, creaminess, and a hint of fennel. The fennel adds a nice kick that keeps it interesting. I’d call this the perfect light meal or lunch, and it’s amazing for meal prep too.
Cabbage is super resilient, which means this cabbage slaw stays fresh and crisp in the fridge for days. No wilted greens here!
This salad is also seriously nutritious, making it a go-to for when you want something light but still filling. Cabbage itself is rich in vitamins C and K, and it adds a satisfying crunch to the mix.
Pair that with juicy oranges and you get a nice hit of sweetness. The fennel adds a unique flavor that is a bit like anise. This taste is surprising and goes well with the nutty tahini dressing. Add some toasted slivered almonds for crunch, and you’ve got a salad that’s as fun to eat as it is nourishing.
Why I Love Using Cabbage in Salads
Cabbage is one of those under-the-radar veggies that doesn’t get enough credit. Inexpensive, super versatile, and nutritionally dense, it offers great value. Cabbage is different from lettuce and other leafy greens.
It can handle heavier dressings. This means it won’t get soggy, even after a day or two in the fridge. That makes it ideal for meal prep or making in advance for lunch.
The beauty of cabbage in this cabbage slaw recipe is that it absorbs flavors wonderfully, so the longer it sits, the better it tastes. Packed with fiber and essential nutrients, it serves as a fantastic base for any salad. It also has a natural sweetness and a hint of earthiness. These flavors go well with the bright, citrusy taste of the orange tahini slaw.
The Perfect Balance of Flavors and Textures
What truly makes this cabbage salad shine is the combination of ingredients. You have a mix of flavors here. The oranges provide sweetness.
The almonds add a nice crunch. The parsley gives a fresh taste. A creamy, nutty dressing ties it all together.
The fennel is a star ingredient in this dish. It has a unique, anise-like flavor that’s subtle but adds an intriguing depth to the salad. If you’ve never used fennel before, this is a great recipe to start with. Chefs often slice it thinly to add texture and flavor, and it pairs beautifully with the citrus in this recipe.
For texture, the slivered almonds provide that satisfying crunch, which makes every bite more interesting. Toasting the almonds enhances their flavor. It adds a sweet nuttiness that perfectly complements the other tastes.
And finally, the dressing! The tahini-based dressing is creamy and rich, with a hint of lime and maple syrup to balance it out. The kind of dressing that’s good enough to bottle up and use on anything that exists.
A Creamy Tahini Dressing That’s Light and Flavorful
The dressing here is where the magic happens. Made with tahini, lime juice, and a touch of maple syrup, it’s creamy, slightly nutty, and adds a lovely richness to the slaw. Tahini gives the dressing a velvety texture, while the lime juice and red wine vinegar add brightness and a little tang. The maple syrup brings just the right hint of sweetness, making the dressing well-rounded and flavorful without being heavy.
To adjust the consistency, add a bit of water until it’s just right for your preference. I prefer my dressing to be a bit thicker. However, if you are serving this salad to many people, thinning it out helps coat everything evenly.
A Great Meal Prep Option
This cabbage slaw recipe is a meal prep dream! It holds up well in the fridge, and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. Simply store it in an airtight container and keep the dressing separate if you prefer. When you’re ready to eat, toss everything together, and you’ve got a fresh, crunchy salad ready to go.
The ingredients in this orange tahini slaw are strong enough to last a few days in the fridge. This makes it great for batch-cooking on a Sunday. If you’re looking to make it a full meal, you can top it with grilled chicken or chickpeas for a little extra protein. Trust me, this is one of those salads you’ll look forward to eating every day!
Variations and Serving Suggestions
One of the best parts about this salad is how easy it is to customize. If you’re not a fan of fennel, try substituting it with thinly sliced celery for a similar crunch.
For serving, this slaw is fantastic on its own, but you can also pair it with grilled fish, chicken, or even some warm naan bread on the side. If you’re serving it as a main, adding a bit of extra protein like chickpeas or lentils would be a great option.
No matter how you serve it, this orange tahini slaw is sure to become a new favorite. This dish packs flavor, is easy to make, and offers the perfect balance of freshness and heartiness. So grab that cabbage, toast those almonds, and get ready to dive into one of the most satisfying salads you’ll make this season!
Other Salads you might love!
Harvest salad with lemon thyme dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/2 green cabbage, thinly shredded approx 4-5 cups
- 1/2 fennel bulb, shredded 1 cup
- 3 oranges, segmented
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 1 apple, cut into match sticks
- 1/2 cup parsley, chopped.
Maple Tahini Dressing
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 tbs red wine vinegar
- 1 tbs maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3-5 tbs water
Instructions:
- Shred ½ a green cabbage and ½ a fennel bulb, ideally using a mandoline for thin, even slices.
- Peel 3 oranges and divide them into segments
- In a dry pan over medium heat, toast ½ cup slivered almonds. Keep a close eye on these as the burn quick! Toast until dark brown. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, shredded fennel, orange segments, toasted almonds, ½ julienned apple, and ½ cup chopped parsley.
- In a bowl, whisk together ¼ cup tahini, juice of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, a pinch of salt and pepper, and 3-5 tablespoons of water. Adjust water for desired consistency.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well to coat evenly.
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Absolutely delicious, refreshing salad, the tahini dressing is the key. I used peanuts and raisons instead of almonds because that’s what I had. So glad it makes a lot!!