Cabbage and Ham Salad

Name: Cabbage and Ham Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 300 grams green cabbage (shredded or cut into small pieces); 1 pinch salt; 1 large carrot (grated); 2 medium cucumbers (diced); 1 cup corn niblets (thawed if from frozen, drained and rinsed if canned); 200 grams ham (diced); 2 tablespoons dill (chopped); 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

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This Cabbage and Ham Salad, or slaw, is a mouthful of crunch, flavor, and satisfaction. It's sure to please your guests. It's quick to make too. In just about 15 minutes you'll have a yummy dinner party dish or a quick and nutritious weeknight dinner salad.

cabbage and ham salad in a white salad bowl.

Like in this Red Cabbage and Mango Slaw and my Sautéed Cabbage with Mushrooms and Bacon, crisp cabbage is such a delicious and nutritious ingredient. It's packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The addition of other ingredients and flavors only adds to the dish, making it more satisfying and filling. Whether served as a refreshing side dish at a summer barbecue, a light lunch, or a vibrant addition to a dinner spread, this salad is versatile enough to complement any occasion.

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Ingredients
Substitutions and variations
Preparation
Top Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving suggestions
Try these other quick and healthy salads
Recipe
Comments

Ingredients

Cabbage: green cabbage is best for this salad. Among the common types of cabbage, green cabbage is generally considered to be the most crunchy, and crunch is one of the things we love about this salad! Before cutting, remove the outer leaves and rinse.
Carrot: brings a natural sweetness to the salad and will add a bright and vibrant orange color, along with its nutritional values of course.
Cucumbers: Like in so many salads, including this Salmon and Quinoa Salad and this Asparagus Kale Salad, cucmbers add freshness, juiciness, a little more extra crunch, and some more nutrients.
Corn Niblets: adds a little more sweetness and color to the salad. Frozen or canned both work well. I find that canned corn niblets are a little sweeter than frozen ones, so whichever you prefer will work.
Ham: you can use ham salami. Or veal, chicken, or turkey bologna will work great too - I add it in this Olivier Salad with Cucumbers recipe and it's delicious!
Fresh Dill: adds freshness and aroma.

See the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient list and quantities.

Substitutions and variations

Cabbage: Feel free to experiment with red cabbage (like I use in this Red Cabbage and Mango Slaw), Napa cabbage, or Savoy cabbage based on your preference.
Avocado: Sliced or diced avocado can add a more creamy texture and a buttery flavor.
Apples or Pears: For a touch of sweetness and juiciness, incorporate thinly sliced apples or pears, like in this Sweet Carrot Salad Recipe.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion can add a mild, sweet bite to the salad, and a little purple color.
Make it vegan: frozen vegan ham or diced smoked tofu can be an excellent substitute for ham. Just ensure they are thawed and/or cooked according to package instructions. You can also omit any ham altogether. As a vegan alternative to mayo, you can use vegan mayo or simply add olive oil and a splash of lemon juice.
Make it gluten-free: use gluten-free ham and gluten-free mayo.

Preparation

STEP 1: Prepare Cabbage

hand teasing cabbage in a large mixing bowl.

Shred the cabbage finely using a sharp knife or a mandoline, then add a pinch of salt and tease/massage the cabbage squeezing lightly with your hands. The salt will soften the cabbage.

STEP 2: Add the remaining ingredients

all ingredients of cabbage and ham salad in a large glass mixing bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix well to combine. Add salt to taste, if required.

Top Tips

After shredding the cabbage don't skip the step of massaging it with your hands. This helps make the salad a little more tender and allows it to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.
Be careful with adding too much salt, especially if the ham and mayonnaise are already salty. Taste the salad before adding additional salt.
If you have the time, allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. It helps the ingredients meld together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the cabbage salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad up to 1 day in advance, just add the mayo right before serving.

How do I store leftovers of the cabbage slaw?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Keep in mind that the salad may become slightly softer over time.

What's the difference between cabbage salad and slaw?

Though both involve cabbage as the main ingredient, there are subtle differences. A cabbage salad includes various other salad ingredients, such as other vegetables, fruits, or proteins. Slaw specifically refers to a salad where cabbage is the primary ingredient and is the main focus.

Serving suggestions

Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. It's great served with this Curried Rice Sautee and a protein dish, such as this Pan Seared Salmon with Vegetable recipe or these Stir-Fried Chicken Thighs. Another must-try, and great for a dinner party, are these Slow Cooker Sweet Duck Legs. They are fall-off-the-bone goodness!

Add some appetizers too: Cinnamon Pineapple and Beef Appetizer and Caprese Salad With Microgreens are just a few of some great ideas.

Try these other quick and healthy salads

If you tried this Cabbage and Ham Salad recipe or any other guide or recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

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