Cotija Cabbage Salad
Matt from Fresh Menu Planner has the main dish Asian Beef Vegetable Wraps and Sandi from Fearless Dining will be providing dessert Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potato Mini Cheesecakes.
I was given the opportunity to make a salad. The ideas and possibilities were endless. I’m not kidding about endless because pretty much anything can be turned into a salad. It was a mixture of heaven and hell for my ADD to come up with something to make. And I loved every moment it.
When developing recipes, I aim to have them as high in protein as possible. This salad was no exception. Swapping out the mayonnaise or sour cream for non-fat, but very high in protein, Greek yogurt was the perfect way to have a decadent creamy dressing with no guilt. The cheese and sunflower seeds provided additional protein and indulgence. The colors in the salad are really what I love most. It’s so vibrant, so evocative of summer. I could make this salad a meal, but it is absolutely perfect to add to your next potluck gathering.

Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ? cup milk
- 1 lime; juiced
- ¼ tsp . chili powder
- ¼ tsp . chipotle powder
- ? tsp. cumin
- 2 tbsp . fresh cilantro; chopped (plus more for garnish)
- ½ tbsp . fresh mint; chopped
- 2 cloves garlic; minced/grated
- Salt/pepper to taste
Salad
- ½ head green cabbage; chopped
- 1 cup purple cabbage; chopped
- ½ cup matchstick carrots; roughly chopped
- 2 ribs celery; thinly sliced
- 5-6 radishes; thinly sliced
- 3 green onions; diced
- 3-5 oz . cotija cheese; crumbled
- ½ cup sunflower seeds; shelled
Instructions
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In a bowl, mix all the dressing ingredients together.
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Cover and chill for at least an hour.
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While the dressing is chilling, prepare all the veggies and toss them together in a large bowl.
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Add the dressing, coating the entire salad completely.
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Cover and chill for another hour.
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When ready to serve, garnish with the sunflower seeds, cotija cheese, and cilantro.
16 Comments
Sandi
July 25, 2014 at 9:19 amI absolutely love this salad Michelle. I did say numerous times that you have a special way with vegetables 🙂 I can’t wait to make this recipe. I just need to find that yummy sounding cojita cheese.
Michelle
July 25, 2014 at 10:28 amSandi, Thank you but those mini cheesecakes look heavenly! The cojita shouldn’t be too hard to find. Should be with queso fresco and if you can’t find it, feta works.
Matt @ Fresh Menu Planner
July 25, 2014 at 10:19 amHey Michelle! This pot luck was a lot of fun to put together! I think we did a pretty awesome job. Keep making delicious food! We should do another pot luck sometime. =-)
Michelle
July 25, 2014 at 10:39 amThank you Matt. I truly can’t stop drooling over your dish. It’s absolutely delectable. When I make it up to Alberta I am stopping by your restaurant for dinner! I would love the opportunity to work with you and Sandi again.
Diane (Created by Diane)
July 25, 2014 at 10:32 pmI sure want an invite to the party everyone looks FANTASTIC!!!!
Michelle
July 25, 2014 at 11:04 pmThank you Diane. Consider yourself invited. 🙂
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian
July 25, 2014 at 11:10 pmWhat a great idea! All three dishes look absolutely wonderful!!
Michelle
July 25, 2014 at 11:55 pmThank you Susan. It was fun….and delicious.
The Food Hunter
July 25, 2014 at 11:23 pmThat salad is beautiful
Michelle
July 25, 2014 at 11:55 pmThank you, I do love the vibrant colors.
ashlee
July 26, 2014 at 12:25 amwe love cabbage at our house and this salad is gorgeous!
Michelle
July 26, 2014 at 1:08 amCabbage is one of my favorites as well. Hope you and your family enjoy this vibrant salad.
Dionne Baldwin
July 26, 2014 at 12:34 amI want to dig in with my fork so badly! This slaw sounds so good and a nice change from the same ole thing that I make. I’m saving this one for later.
Michelle
July 26, 2014 at 1:11 amThank you Dionne. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Healing Tomato
August 24, 2014 at 9:55 pmThis is a GREAT recipe. I love cotija cheese and I am always looking for ways to include it in my recipe.s
Michelle
August 25, 2014 at 1:46 pmThank you HT. Hope you enjoy it. And I love cotija too.