Bang Bang Salad

15 mins

4 People

136 Cals

Bang Bang Salad

15 mins

4 People

136 Cals

About the recipe

This is the kind of salad that disappears quickly. Fresh, crunchy cabbage tossed with herbs and a deeply savoury tahini or peanut butter + soy dressing that’s creamy, nutty and gently sweet with a little warmth from ginger and chilli. It’s inspired by classic “bang bang” flavours, but this version is lighter, more balanced and beautifully versatile.
Serve it as a vibrant side, or turn it into a complete meal by adding your favourite protein — crispy tofu, tempeh, poached chicken, salmon or prawns all work beautifully. It keeps well in the fridge and tastes even better once the dressing has had time to soak into the cabbage.
Simple, nourishing and incredibly moreish. The sort of salad you make once… then keep making on repeat.

Nutrition Per Serving

136

Calories

4g

Fat

1g

Saturates

9g

Sugars

570mg

Salt

12g

Protein

14g

Carbs

6g

Fibre

Ingredients

US - Metric

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Bang Bang Dressing

  • 2 tbsp tahini or smooth peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp tamari or light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp mirin
  • 1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger optional
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 60 ml warm water to loosen
  • ½ –1 tsp chilli oil optional (serve extra on the side)

Salad

  • 400 g small cabbage finely shredded, or iceberg lettuce for something more refreshing
  • 1 carrot finely grated
  • 2 spring onions thinly sliced
  • 1 bunch coriander chopped
  • 1 small bunch mint chopped
  • Embellishments Optional

Crispy Tamari Tofu, optional or poached chicken

  • 350 g firm tofu
  • rice flour to coat
  • olive oil for cooking
  • splash of tamari or sweet soy sauce optional

EMBLLLISHMENTS

  • fresh lime cashew nuts, coriander
US - Metric

Method

Bang Bang Dressing

  • COMBINE the tahini (or peanut butter), tamari, maple, mirin, ginger (if using) and lime juice to a bowl. Whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in the warm water until the dressing becomes silky and pourable. Stir through chilli oil if using. Taste and adjust — more lime for freshness, more maple for sweetness, more tamari for depth.

Prepare the salad

  • MASSAGE the shredded cabbage with a little lime juice and pinch of salt for 1 minute until the fibres have softened. Combine with the grated carrot, spring onions, coriander and mint.
  • POUR over enough dressing to lightly coat and toss well so everything becomes glossy and lightly creamy. You may not need all the dressing — add gradually to taste and leave some to coat at the end.
  • TRANSFER the salad onto a serving platter. Top with your protein of choice if using and scatter with sesame seeds or cashew nuts. Serve extra chilli oil and lime on the side.

To make the crispy tofu

  • PAT the tofu dry with paper towel. Crumble into bite-size pieces with your hands (rough, uneven chunks crisp best).
  • PLACE the tofu in a bowl and sprinkle over the rice flour. Toss gently until lightly coated all over.
  • HEAT the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat.
  • ADD the tofu in a single layer and cook for 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp on all sides. Add a splash of tamari or sweet soy sauce if you like, but it's delicious without.
  • SPOON over your bang bang salad.
NOTES + INSPIRATION
Meal Prep Friendly
Keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cabbage softens slightly and absorbs the dressing, becoming even more delicious the next day.
Choose Your Cabbage | or Lettuce
Green cabbage gives you crunch and structure.
Wombok (Napa cabbage) creates a softer, silkier texture that feels lighter and more delicate. You can also use cos lettuce or iceberg lettuce in place of cabbage for a lighter more refreshing salad.
Herb Swaps
Swap mint for Thai basil or shiso for a deeper, slightly aniseed note.
Make It a Meal
Top with crispy tamari tofu for a plant-based protein boost.
Add poached or roasted shredded chicken for something simple and satisfying.
It’s also beautiful with grilled salmon or prawns if you want something more substantial.
Balance to Taste
If you love it brighter → add more lime.
Prefer it sweeter → a touch more maple.
Want more depth → a splash more tamari.
A crunchy, vibrant salad with serious flavour — fresh, nourishing and quietly addictive. 
 

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