With toasted ramen noodles, crunchy nuts, two kinds of cabbage, and a sweet and savory dressing, this Ramen Noodle Salad recipe is easy to make, pairs well with anything you can grill up, and is perfect for potlucks!

I was a teenager the first time my mom made some version of this salad. One of her friends introduced it to her, and it was one of those love-at-first-bite moments for her.

She talked it up to us, but no one believed her that it was as good as she claimed. (I mean, it’s cabbage after all, lol.) Until she made it and it was love-at-first-bite for the whole family!

This slaw salad starts with a couple kinds of cabbage, carrot, and scallion. It has a super flavorful dressing (no ramen seasoning packet needed!). But the nutty crunch from buttery toasted ramen, almonds, and sesame seeds is what really takes it over the top.

Ramen Noodle Salad is a great dish to make for a summer potluck. It pairs well with anything you can grill up, from burgers and hot dogs, to steak and chicken.

For the best texture and most crunch factor, wait to mix everything up until right before you serve it.

In This Article

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s super crunchy and packed with flavor. And nope, we don’t use the ramen seasoning packet!
If you have picky eaters you’re trying to convince to eat cabbage, this recipe has a track record of success.
It’s affordable! Right now when grocery prices are skyrocketing, it’s nice to have economical options. It’ doesn’t get much more affordable than ramen noodles and cabbage!

The Best Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe

Ingredients

Crunchy Ramen:

Ramen packs, seasoning packets discarded
Sliced almonds
Sesame seeds
Unsalted butter
Salt

Dressing:

Rice vinegar
Avocado oil or vegetable oil
Granulated sugar
Soy sauce
Ginger
Garlic
Salt
White pepper

Slaw:

Napa cabbage
Red cabbage
Carrot
Scallion

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Crunchy Ramen:

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Use your hands to coarsely break up the ramen noodles into smaller chunks.

Add the broken ramen, almonds, sesame seeds, melted butter, and salt to a large bowl. Toss to combine.

Bake until the nuts are golden and aromatic, about 8 to 12 minutes, tossing once halfway through.

Cool.

Step 2: Make the Dressing:

Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl.

Step 3: Make the Slaw:

Right before serving, add all of the slaw ingredients (except 1/4 cup sliced scallion for topping) to the bowl with the dressing. Add about 2/3 of the crunchy ramen, reserving 1/3 for topping. Toss gently to combine.

Step 4: Finishing Touches:

Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle the remaining crunchy ramen and reserved 1/4 cup of sliced scallions on top.

Serve immediately.

Storage

Once this salad is combined with the dressing, I like to serve it within 4 hours because the cabbage has the tendency to wilt.

However, you can make all the components ahead of time and store them separately for up to 5 days before combining and serving.

Ramen Noodle Salad FAQs

Is it Ok to Eat Raw Ramen Noodles?

Yes. Ramen noodles come pre-cooked and dried, so they’re not really raw when you buy them.

Are Ramen Noodles Already Cooked?

Yes! Ramen noodles are instant noodles that are pre-cooked and dried. Typically, ramen is reconstituted briefly in boiling water. However, for this recipe we toast ramen in the oven.

front view of serving bowl with ramen salad

Is Ramen Healthy Without the Packet?

Ramen seasoning packets are known to be high in sodium and preservatives. Additionally, they commonly contain MSG, a flavor enhancer that has been linked with obesity and metabolic disorders. You can read more in EXCLI Journal’s article “Extensive Use of Monosodium Glutamate: A Threat to Public Health?” on National Library of Medicine.

You might be wondering how healthy ramen is if you just don’t use the flavor packet. If you skip the seasoning packet, you will definitely eliminate quite a bit of sodium and preservatives. However, this doesn’t mean that ramen is healthy without the packet.

Even without the flavor packet, ramen noodles are high in sodium and typically contain preservatives and oil. They are also high in carbohydrates.

This means it’s best to enjoy ramen occasionally and in moderation. The healthy part of this Ramen Noodle Salad comes from the variety of fresh vegetables in it!

bowls of ramen salad on marble countertop

More Salad Recipes to Make for a Potluck

Salad Olivier (Russian Potato Salad) – the perfect way to elevate potato salad
Mexican Corn Salad – fresh sweet corn is the star of the show
Watermelon Salad Recipe with Feta – deliciously sweet and salty
Broccoli Salad – creamy dressing with a crunch from bacon

Let’s Connect

I love hearing from you!
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment.
You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.
To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
xoxo, Faith

Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe with a Punch of Flavor {video}

Why You’ll Love This Recipe