Raw Thai Kale Slaw with a Creamy Ginger-Almond Butter Dressing
You are going to love this nutritious raw kale slaw. It's full of detoxification and antioxidant compounds, and just bursting with the fresh, bright flavors of basil, mint, and cilantro. All tossed in a slightly spicy and gingery, creamy almond butter dressing. What I love about this salad is that it lasts up to 5 days in the refrigerator! Once it's made, you can take out portions as needed to easily fulfill part of your daily raw veggie needs.
I've been serving a large plateful of this Thai-style kale slaw with fried eggs for breakfast, or tossed with leftover rice and garbanzo beans for lunch. It's also delicious served with a thai-style main dish for dinner, such as Thai Coconut Fish Sticks, Thai Fish Curry with Garden Vegetables, or this Vegan Thai Green Curry.
And not to forget the oh-so-important nutrition information! As you might guess, this salad is rich in detoxifying compounds. Kale and cabbage both come from the cruciferous vegetable family, a family of vegetables known for their detoxification powers. Did you know that there is research showing that autistic children who consume sulforophane (one of the active compounds in cruciferous vegetables) show positive behavioral changes as a result of this nutritional superstar? Sulforophane is most concentrated in broccoli sprouts, but can also be found in raw (or lightly steamed) kale, cabbage, kohlrabi, radishes, watercress, and arugula!
Cruciferous vegetables are also very beneficial in calming down autoimmunity. Once consumed, sulforophane travels to our cells and changes how our genes are read. It literally allows us to read hundreds of beneficial antioxidant and detoxification genes. The result is a cell that has less toxins, and less inflammation. Can you function in a messy, dirty house? I know I can't! The cell is the same. It can't function very well if it contains an excess of toxins and debris. Detoxification is, in essence, cleaning up the house of the cell. Antioxidants, then we could say, are the repair crew. When your cells are "clean" you might notice increased energy, clearer thinking, and less pain!
Raw Thai Kale Slaw
This recipe makes a large batch so be prepared for a big, delicious salad! It’s perfect for potlucks, parties, or if you would like to have a pre-made salad waiting for you in the fridge during the week. If you can't find Thai chili peppers at your local food co-op or health food store, then check your local Asian Market. You can also substitute the pepper in the dressing with a few pinches of crushed red chili flakes, or just omit the spice altogether.
I grow a lot of Thai chili peppers every summer. To store them, I just place them into an air-tight container and freeze whole, which takes minimal effort and almost no time at all! I've still been using up some of last year's harvest over a year later (they freeze that well)! I also make a lot of lacto-fermented hot sauce and Sriracha Sauce with my hot pepper harvest!
Salad
Dressing
salad
- Place all of the ingredients into a very large bowl (one big enough to be able to toss the salad and dressing together without it spilling over the sides).
dressing
- Place all ingredients into a blender or a wide-mouthed jar. Blend until smooth, or use an immersion blender to blend the dressing ingredients together in the jar.
- Taste and adjust ingredients as necessary. Does it need more ginger for your tastes? More spice? Add another chili pepper. Does it need more sour? Add more lime juice. Does it need more flavor? Add a little bit more sea salt or fish sauce.
- Then blend again.
- Using clean hands or salad tongs, toss the dressing with the salad, gently massaging it into the vegetables (this will help to tenderize the kale).
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight glass or stainless steel food storage container for later use.
- Lasts up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- It's best to bring the salad to room temp before serving, or serve it straight from the fridge over warm rice or soup.
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About the Author
Alissa Segersten, MS, CN
Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 1,800 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.Nourishing Meals Newsletter
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Comments
Really tasty.
Thank for…
Really tasty.
Thank for sharing this receipe.
With aprecciation,
Teodora
Thanks for your feedback! I know...it is hard not to eat it all in two days!! Thanks for sharing your modification. :)
Hi Em,
Thanks so much for your feedback! So glad you are enjoying it! :)
This is delicious. I agree with Em: I can't stop eating it! Thank you for this recipe! (I used two seeded jalapeños instead of the Thai pepper, and took out the red pepper because I forgot to buy both... it was still great. It really did last for days in the refrig, but it was hard not to eat it all in two days. We're on our second batch.
RAVE reviews for this salad! I can't stop eating it!!