This simple Shredded Red Cabbage - Turkish Kebab Salad recipe shows you how easy it is to create shredded red cabbage just like you would get from a kebab takeaway shop.
Obviously, makes a great addition to kebabs but it is also a fab Vegan and Vegetarian side dish for many other Greek and Mediterranean recipes.
How to make cabbage taste like the kebab shops?
The secret to the delicious flavour and texture of cabbage just like you get from your Turkish takeaway kebab shop.
In short, is to make it ahead of time, allowing it time to soak up a simple dressing consisting of, olive oil, lemon and salt.
In order to make this at home yourself, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Jump to RecipeFollow along the step by step slideshow above.
Red Cabbage or Green Cabbage for a kebab salad?
We like to use red cabbage, not only because the purple leaves give a lovely colour to add to salad. But it is also full of goodness!
Check out this article for the full benefits of Red Cabbage.
Of course, white or green cabbage tastes just as good and still full of goodness so you can use them instead of red cabbage, or even do a mix of them both!
How to chop or shred cabbage?
Remove any loose outer leaves from the cabbage, using a long bladed knife, cut cabbage in half through the stem, cut the thick stem away.
Now you can sit the ½ head on its side to chop thinly using your large knife.
Or if you are not as confident with a knife try using a mandolin for easy even shredded cabbage.
Should I wash red cabbage?
Once you have cut the cabbage into thin strips wash in a colander under a running tap.
Best oil to use on shredded cabbage salad?
Use a cheap mild olive oil, do not use Extra Virgin Olive Oil as it will be too strongly flavored.
How long to leave cabbage in dressing?
Allow at least 30 minutes in the fridge for the lemon to soften the cabbage.
However, I suggest leaving for longer to help soften more, I find 4 hours gives best results.
Why and when to add sugar to Turkish style red cabbage?
Sometimes we add a bit of sugar to taste if we feel it needs it?
Once your cabbage has soaked up the oil, lemon and salt for about 30 minutes, have a taste.
If it is too sour for your liking add a sprinkle of sugar to combat the bitterness (about ½ a teaspoon to start with) shake it up and try again.
Feel free to add more if it's still too sour. It is a personal taste preference.
What other salad items to serve with red cabbage?
Red Cabbage is great served up with a nice crisp salad, we used iceberg lettuce, slices of cucumber, tomatoes & raw onions.
What to serve with red cabbage?
We love to serve our Shredded Red Cabbage - up with Turkish Kebabs like our Takeaway Lamb Shish Kebab Recipe or why not try adding to our Spicy Chicken Burger?
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Or equally as good Takeaway Chicken Kebab Recipe, alongside some pickled chilli peppers & pitta bread.
Click through above images for kebab recipes.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Shredded Red Cabbage - Turkish Kebab Salad
Ingredients
- ½ head Red Cabbage
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil (mild or light) Do not use extra virgin/ virgin it will be too strong
- 1 large Lemon freshly squeeze, should be about 3 tbsp
- 1 teaspoon salt
Optional- if your lemon is particularly sour you may need to add some sugar
- 1 teaspoon sugar add more/less to taste
Instructions
- Chop red cabbage into really thin slices and wash.
- In a ziplock bag (or a bowl) pour olive oil, lemon juice and salt.
- Place cabbage in bag (bowl) and give a good mix, shake, rub, to get the oil well coated over cabbage.
- Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the oil and lemon to seep into the cabbage
- Serve with other salad items, such as lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes & raw onions.
Video
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this check out our Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce perfect for giving an extra kick of heat!
Karen
Best salad recipe for Turkish salad I have come across, others all seem to mix theirs with mayonnaise or yogurt. This one is jives you the best fresh flavour.
Luke and Kay
Thank you so much Karen for your review! We are so pleased that you found our recipe to make the best Turkish salad and loved how fresh the flavour was. It is great to hear that ours is different compared to other recipes as we strive to bring new ideas and flavours. 🙂
Raj
The best tasting salad, perfect with any barbecue or kebab.
Luke and Kay
Hi Raj,
Thank you for your kind words about our shredded red cabbage recipe! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed it and find it a perfect pairing with barbecues and kebabs. We strive to create versatile recipes that can complement a variety of dishes, and we're glad this one hit the mark for you. Keep enjoying and happy cooking! 🙂
Colin
Dry easy and very tasty. So versatile
Luke and Kay
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Colin! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experiences with our shredded red cabbage. 🙂
Franki
Tastes just right. If you use a plastic box with a good lid you can give it a shake up in there, makes it very quick to mix.
Luke and Kay
Thank you for your review, Franki! We're so glad that our Shredded Red Cabbage meets your taste needs and that you have found a convenient way to mix it up. 🙂
Linda Payne
first time trying this recipe and it was delicious with a kebab will defo be using again, thank you, left in fridge for four hours and did not use any sugar and it was spot on
Kay
Thank you so much, Linda, for that great comment 🙂
Nice to hear you thought our shredded red cabbage salad was delicious; it does go perfectly with a good kebab 😉
Stephen
Great recipe, we added a tbls of mint sauce to your recipe and my goodness you should try it.
Kay
Hi Stephen
Thanks for the comment, we will try out the mint sauce, that sounds nice:)
Pleased you liked the recipe!!
Nkechi
Great recipe. Tried the red cabbage salad with the family this weekend and everyone loved it. Thank you.
Kay
Thanks for the comment, glad you liked the red cabbage with your kebab:)
Enjoy
Penny
This looks amazing, I'm making kebabs tonight but only have extra virgin oil, is there anyway this will work, maybe if I used less? X
Luke
Sorry only just seen this message, we haven't tried this recipe with extra virgin olive oil, but if it went well please let us know your feedback 🙂
Jenny
How long does this last once made please?
Luke
Hi Jenny
The red cabbage once cut, should last for up to 3 days, kept in a sealed bag/container in the refrigerator.
Hope this helps and you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Sarah Bor
Excellent! We made this tonight and it was delicious! perfect red cabbage salad. We will definitely make it again.
Luke
Hi Sarah
Thanks for the comment!!
Glad you liked the Red cabbage Salad recipe, we love this with our homemade chicken kebab 🙂
Kath
This looks delicious - definitely going to try it
Can you let me know what the peppers are that are in the picture - they look amazing as well and I want to get some but don’t know what they are. Thanks
Luke
Not sure where you are based, but in the UK we have a brand called Aleyna who sell the green chilli peppers pickled in water and vinegar. They are sold in most supermarkets where the cupboard food ingredients are in glass jars. They are perfect served with kebabs! Not overall spicy, a gentle sweet taste to them. Hope you find some if not maybe try picking your own? Let us know what you find some? Hope you enjoy the cabbage too x
Teresa N’Guessan
Perfect! I’ve tried to make this before, from recipes that suggest salting the cabbage first - none worked that well. This is the third time I’ve used your recipe and it’s been great every time. Thank you
Luke
Thank you for your kind words, glad the shredded cabbage recipe has been a success for you 😉
Sam
Hi how far in advance can you make this and keep it in the fridge ?
Lolo
Far too much oil advised, had to throw away the first batch. I used only half a tablespoon the next time and it was perfect. It would be helpful if people rated recipes AFTER they’ve tried it, not just to say it ‘looks’ like it would be nice. That way we can learn from each other’s experiences. I am happy I have finally perfected this. Thanks.
Kay
Sorry to hear it was too oily for you, I use a mild olive oil and find it comes out lovely! I may have had a bigger head of red cabbage to start off with? I made it again this weekend and Morrisons supermarket only had tiny cabbages available so I used 2 tablespoons of oil instead!
Liz
This looks amazing and definitely assured way to finally enjoy red cabbage!
Kay
It makes it very tasty!
Bella
oh my god this looks so yummy! I totally need to make this.
Desicart
These are simple and fast to prepare and everyone enjoyed them!
HEATHER PERINE
So light and refreshing. Such a great twist on the typical mayo based cabbage salads!