This Malfouf Salad recipe, also known as Lebanese Cabbage Slaw, has long been a personal favorite of mine and one I’ve been eager to share. It stands out among easy slaw recipes due to its uniquely bright and tangy lemony sumac dressing. The zesty, aromatic flavor profile is simply irresistible, offering a refreshing contrast to richer dishes or serving as a delightful meal in itself. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create something truly extraordinary and memorable.

More than just a side dish, this Lebanese Cabbage Salad is a cornerstone of Mediterranean eating, embodying a healthy, flavorful, and incredibly versatile approach to cooking. The combination of finely shredded green cabbage with a vibrant dressing of fresh lemon juice, premium extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and fragrant fresh mint delivers a bright, zesty experience. It’s an ideal accompaniment to a wide range of main courses, from succulent grilled meats like Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp Skewers or hearty Spiced Ground Lamb Pita, to any dish that benefits from a burst of fresh flavor.

If you’re a fan of cabbage-based salads, similar to the satisfying crunch of a good coleslaw, then you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the unique character of this Malfouf Salad. For those exploring diverse slaw recipes, I also recommend trying my Healthy Coleslaw, Crunchy Kale Slaw, Jalapeno Coleslaw Recipe, Easy Mexican Coleslaw, or this Easy Mango Cabbage Coleslaw. Each offers a different twist on the classic, but the Malfouf Salad truly captures the essence of fresh, Middle Eastern culinary traditions.

What makes this Lebanese salad even more appealing is its health-conscious profile: it’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and remarkably quick to prepare, coming together in mere minutes. This makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners, lively summer barbecues, or as an essential component of an elaborate mezze spread. Its crisp texture and bright flavors perfectly complement heavier dishes, adding a refreshing counterpoint to any meal.

Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled favorites like chicken shawarma, savory beef kofta, or delicate pan-fried fish, this Malfouf Salad shines. It’s also an excellent way to introduce a vibrant crunch and Mediterranean zest to vegetarian dishes, enhancing plant-based meals with minimal effort. If your palate craves a quick, easy, and satisfying salad bursting with authentic Mediterranean flavors, this Malfouf Salad is an absolute must-try. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to experience a timeless culinary delight.

Why You Will Love This Zesty Lebanese Cabbage Slaw

This Malfouf Salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary experience that brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table with minimal effort. Here’s why this Lebanese Cabbage Slaw is sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe repertoire:

• Quick & Easy Preparation: Life is busy, and delicious meals shouldn’t require hours in the kitchen. This salad is a true time-saver, made with just a handful of straightforward ingredients. You can have it ready from start to finish in 10 minutes or less, making it perfect for spontaneous gatherings or last-minute meal additions.
• Exceptional Versatility: This salad is incredibly adaptable, pairing beautifully with almost any meal. Whether you’re serving succulent Greek Chicken, crispy falafel, a colorful hummus platter, or even grilled fish and roasted vegetables, its refreshing crunch and tangy dressing complement a wide array of flavors. It’s the perfect counterpoint to richer dishes and a welcome addition to lighter fare.
• Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Eating healthy and deliciously doesn’t have to break the bank. This recipe utilizes common pantry staples and affordable, readily available produce, primarily cabbage. There are no fancy, hard-to-find ingredients needed, ensuring that you can enjoy authentic Lebanese flavors without an expensive grocery run.
• Healthy & Nutritious: Packed with fresh vegetables and a light, olive oil-based dressing, this Malfouf Salad is a powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants. It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and low in calories, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to incorporate more wholesome, plant-based options into their diet.
• Customizable to Your Liking: The beauty of this salad lies in its flexibility. While the classic combination is perfect as is, it serves as a fantastic base for customization. You can easily add more vegetables, different herbs, or adjust the spice level to suit your personal preferences, ensuring a fresh and exciting experience every time.
• Excellent for Meal Prep: With a few simple tricks, this salad can be partially prepared in advance, making it ideal for meal prepping throughout the week. You can chop your ingredients and whisk your dressing ahead of time, then combine them just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and crunch.

Essential Ingredients for Your Malfouf Salad

Crafting the perfect Malfouf Salad begins with selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this bright and zesty Lebanese classic. For precise measurements and printable instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.

• Cabbage: The star of this slaw recipe is finely shredded cabbage. You have the convenience of using pre-shredded bagged cabbage to save time, or you can shred your own using a food processor, mandoline, or a sharp knife. I personally prefer using green cabbage for its wonderfully crisp texture and its ability to hold up well as leftovers without becoming soggy. It also offers a mild, slightly peppery flavor that pairs perfectly with the zesty dressing.
• Fresh Vegetables: To complement the cabbage and add layers of flavor and crunch, we incorporate vibrant radishes and thinly sliced green onions. Radishes provide a delightful peppery bite and beautiful color, while green onions offer a mild oniony flavor that brightens the salad. Feel free to adjust the quantity of radishes or omit them entirely if they’re not to your taste.
• Aromatic Herbs: Fresh herbs are absolutely crucial to the authentic flavor profile of Malfouf Salad. I highly recommend using a generous amount of fresh mint and fresh curly parsley. Their bright, herbaceous notes are indispensable. If fresh mint isn’t available, dried mint can be a good substitute; just be sure to rub it between your hands before adding to help release its essential oils and intensify its flavor.
• The Signature Dressing: The heart of Malfouf Salad lies in its simple yet incredibly flavorful dressing, featuring a light blend of sumac and lemon. This vibrant dressing brings everything together with its characteristic tang and subtle earthiness. If you don’t have sumac, you can certainly skip it, or experiment with a pinch of za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend that also contains sumac and various herbs, to achieve a similar tangy, aromatic quality. The dressing also includes high-quality extra virgin olive oil for richness and minced garlic for a savory kick.

Creative Ways to Customize Your Lebanese Cabbage Salad

One of the many charms of Malfouf Salad is its adaptability. While delicious in its classic form, it welcomes modifications that allow you to tailor it to your taste or what you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ideas to elevate and personalize your Lebanese Cabbage Salad:

• Add More Vegetables: Enhance the salad’s nutritional value, color, and crunch by tossing in extra vegetables. Consider thinly sliced cucumber for a refreshing element, shredded carrots for a touch of sweetness, finely chopped bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) for a vibrant pop, or even some quick pickled vegetables or pickled red onions for an additional tangy kick.
• Experiment with Cabbage Varieties: While green cabbage is traditional, you can easily swap all or a portion of it for red cabbage. Red cabbage offers a beautiful deep purple hue, a slightly bolder flavor, and an extra boost of antioxidants, making your salad even more visually appealing and nutritious. Napa cabbage can also work for a milder flavor and softer texture.
• Explore Different Herbs: Fresh herbs are key to this salad’s appeal. In addition to mint and parsley, try incorporating other finely chopped fresh herbs like cilantro for a citrusy, peppery note, dill for a subtle anisy flavor, or fresh oregano for an earthy, pungent aroma. These additions can dramatically change the salad’s character.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, introduce a pinch of cayenne pepper, Aleppo pepper (for a milder, fruitier warmth), or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the dressing. Start with a small amount and adjust to your desired level of spice.
• Create a Creamier Dressing: For a richer, more substantial dressing, mix in a spoonful of tahini (sesame paste) or plain Greek yogurt. Tahini will lend a nutty, earthy depth, while Greek yogurt will add a creamy texture and a pleasant tang, turning the dressing into a more luscious experience.
• Incorporate Nuts & Seeds: Boost the texture and nutritional content with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, or even chopped walnuts. Toasting them lightly enhances their flavor and adds a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft cabbage.
• Add a Touch of Fruit: A handful of fresh pomegranate seeds adds a burst of tart-sweet juiciness and stunning color. Alternatively, finely diced apples (such as Granny Smith for tartness) can provide a sweet contrast to the lemony dressing and extra crispness.
• Boost the Protein: For a more filling salad, consider adding cooked chickpeas, lentils, or even grilled halloumi cheese cubes. This transforms the Malfouf Salad into a wholesome main course.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Malfouf Salad (Lebanese Cabbage Salad)

Creating this refreshing Lebanese Cabbage Salad is incredibly simple, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor. Follow these straightforward steps to prepare your very own Malfouf Salad:

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage: Begin by preparing your cabbage. If you’re using a whole head of green cabbage and it isn’t pre-shredded, you’ll need to finely shred it. You can achieve this using a food processor with a shredding disk, a mandoline slicer for uniform thin strips, or a sharp chef’s knife for precise hand-shredding. The goal is thin, delicate ribbons of cabbage that will easily absorb the dressing. Once shredded, transfer the cabbage to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Combine Salad Components: To the bowl with the shredded cabbage, add the diced radishes, chopped green onions (using both the white and green parts for full flavor), freshly chopped curly parsley, and fresh mint. Gently toss all these ingredients together. Use your hands or a large set of tongs to ensure an even distribution of the vegetables and herbs without bruising the delicate leaves. This initial toss helps create a harmonious base for the dressing.

Step 3: Whisk the Flavorful Dressing: In a separate container, such as a small mason jar with a lid or a salad dressing shaker, combine all the dressing ingredients. Add the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, sumac, salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously, or whisk thoroughly with a fork until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified. This ensures the flavors are perfectly blended for a balanced dressing.

Step 4: Dress and Taste the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the mixed cabbage and vegetable ingredients in the large bowl. Using your hands or tongs, mix everything thoroughly, ensuring every piece of cabbage and herb is lightly coated with the zesty dressing. Once combined, taste a spoonful of the salad. This is your chance to adjust the seasoning; add more sumac for extra tang, or more salt and pepper to achieve your preferred flavor balance. Don’t be shy about tasting and adjusting!

Step 5: Serve or Chill: The Malfouf Salad is delicious served immediately, especially when you’re looking for an instant fresh crunch. However, for the best flavor development, I recommend refrigerating the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the ingredients to meld together, and the cabbage to slightly soften while remaining crisp, truly enhancing the overall taste experience.

Essential Meal-Prep Tips for Malfouf Salad: Maximize your efficiency by prepping components of this salad in advance. You can finely shred the cabbage and prepare the dressing (combining lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and dried mint if using) up to a full day ahead. Store the shredded cabbage in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture, and keep the dressing in a separate sealed container in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply combine the prepped ingredients, toss, and enjoy! This approach keeps the cabbage perfectly crisp and the flavors at their peak freshness. For another make-ahead friendly option, this salad pairs wonderfully with our crunchy, equally robust Cucumber Onion Salad, providing a complementary texture and flavor profile.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips for Malfouf Salad

Proper storage is key to enjoying your Malfouf Salad for longer while maintaining its fresh taste and crisp texture. Here are some detailed tips:

Refrigeration: To keep your salad at its best, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container immediately after serving. This prevents the cabbage from wilting prematurely and protects it from absorbing unwanted odors from other foods in your fridge. Store the salad in the refrigerator within 1-2 hours of making it.

Shelf Life: When stored correctly, Malfouf Salad will remain fresh and delicious for up to 2-3 days. While it can last a bit longer, the cabbage may become softer over time, losing some of its initial crispness. The flavors, however, often deepen and improve on the second day.

Re-Tossing: It’s natural for the dressing to settle at the bottom of the container. Before serving refrigerated leftovers, give the salad a good toss. This redistributes the dressing and refreshes the flavors, ensuring every bite is as delicious as the first.

Meal Prep Ahead: For optimal freshness and convenience, you can prepare the cabbage and dressing separately a day in advance. Shred your cabbage and store it in an airtight container, perhaps with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Prepare the dressing by combining all liquid and spice ingredients and store it in a sealed jar. Combine the salad components and dressing about 30 minutes before you plan to serve. This brief resting period allows the cabbage to soak up all the wonderful flavors of the dressing without becoming overly soft, delivering a perfectly crisp and flavorful salad.