20-Minute Green Goddess Crunchy Slaw

Prep: 20 minCook: 40 minmediumAmerican
Green Goddess Crunchy Slaw with Cashew Herb Dressing

A vibrant, nutrient-packed slaw featuring crisp cabbage, fennel, kohlrabi, and sugar snap peas tossed in a creamy cashew-based Green Goddess dressing. The homemade dressing combines fresh basil, spinach, nutritional yeast, and garlic for bold herbal flavor, while roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds add satisfying crunch. Perfect as a fresh side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, or as a light lunch that keeps well for meal prep. This plant-forward take on classic slaw offers more complex flavors and textures than traditional mayo-based versions.

Ingredients

  • 1 16-ounce bag green cabbage, shredded
  • 1 small fennel bulb, cut in half and thinly sliced
    celery1:1common

    milder flavor

    Full guide →
  • 1 small kohlrabi, cut into thin matchsticks
    jicama1:1texture

    similar crunch

  • 1 cup sugar snap peas, cut into small pieces
  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced
  • ½ cup Green Goddess Dressing
  • ¼ cup roasted pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup roasted sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
  • 6 cubes Dorot Gardens Frozen Basil, or 1/4 cup fresh basil
  • 1 bunch scallions, cut in three
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    parmesan cheese1:1vegetarianadds dairy

    sharper flavor

    Full guide →
  • ¼ cup unsalted cashews, heaping
    tahini1:1nut-freetree_nuts-free

    creamier texture

    Full guide →
  • 4 cloves garlic, or 4 cubes frozen garlic
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¾ cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place all dressing ingredients except olive oil in a food processor

  2. 2

    Blend on low speed while slowly drizzling in the oil

  3. 3

    Once smooth, raise to high speed and blend for an additional minute

  4. 4

    Transfer dressing to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to one week

  5. 5

    Place all slaw ingredients except seeds in a large bowl

  6. 6

    Mix well to coat vegetables with dressing

  7. 7

    Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the roasted seeds

  8. 8

    Serve immediately

Tips

Tip 1

Make the dressing up to a week ahead for deeper flavor development and easy meal prep assembly.

Tip 2

Cut vegetables uniformly for the best texture and appearance - aim for thin, bite-sized pieces.

Tip 3

Add the roasted seeds just before serving to maintain their crunch and prevent them from getting soggy.

Good to Know

Storage

Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Dressing will keep separately for up to 1 week.

Make Ahead

Dressing can be made up to 1 week ahead. Vegetables can be prepped 1 day ahead but dress just before serving.

Serve With

Serve chilled as a side dish. Best consumed within 2 hours of dressing for optimal crunch.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Add seeds just before serving to avoid sogginess

Watch

Don't overdress the slaw to prevent wilting

Substitutions

Nut-Free Alternatives

cashews
tahini1:1nut-freetree_nuts-free

creamier texture

Full guide →

General Alternatives

nutritional yeast
parmesan cheese1:1vegetarianadds dairy

sharper flavor

Full guide →
fennel
celery1:1common

milder flavor

Full guide →
kohlrabi
jicama1:1texture

similar crunch

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?

The dressing keeps for a week, and you can prep vegetables a day ahead, but combine them just before serving to maintain crunch and prevent wilting.

What if I don't have a food processor for the dressing?

Use a high-powered blender, adding ingredients in small batches. For cashews, soak them for 2 hours first to ensure smooth blending.

Can I freeze this slaw?

No, the fresh vegetables will become mushy when thawed. This slaw is best enjoyed fresh and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days maximum.