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Fresh Kimchi Inspired Spicy Slaw

When I first had the idea for this recipe, I was thinking about the Miller’s recipe challenge and had the urge to make a spicy slaw type dish. Thinking about slaw reminded me I had always wondered about making my own kimchi.

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Fermented foods are supposed to be great for your gut and you know Heal Nourish Grow is focused on all things that promote health! One issue with fermented kimchi is that not everyone will want to take the time to ferment. It’s no fun to make something then have to wait days or weeks before you can eat it. Plus, I really wanted something that could be ready for a side dish for tonight.

When researching how to make kimchi, that’s when I learned fermented kimchi isn’t the only type! There is also fresh kimchi which is basically a slaw and exactly what I was looking for this purpose.

Since this recipe is an entry in the Miller’s recipe contest, I’m using the Miller’s Sweet and Spicy Pepper Sauce in the habanero flavor in place of the Korean pepper flakes that might be used an a more traditional fresh kimchi recipe. I also used their mild sauce so that the heat level wouldn’t be overwhelming. If you love spicy food, feel free to use just the habanero sauce or just the mild only if you want to keep it flavorful but with not as much heat.

I kept the other ingredients simple and easily found in a regular grocery store rather than using things that may only be found in an ethnic food specialty store. However, if you’re a big fan of traditional kimchi you may consider adding some fish sauce for a more authentic flavor.

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The result is a kimchi inspired spicy slaw that’s ready in just a few minutes and can be eaten and enjoyed immediately.

Miller’s sauces can be purchased at Whole Foods and Wegmans or ordered on Amazon. Join them on Facebook and Instagram.

We have a whole collection of fresh summer salads, be sure to check them out while you’re here.

Spicy Fresh Kimchi

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients  

  • 1 pound napa cabbage, sliced
  • 7 green onions, whites minced, green tops cut diagonally
  • ¼ cup carrot, matchsticked or shredded
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • ¼ cup Miller's banana pepper sauce (habanero)
  • ¼ cup Miller's banana pepper sauce (mild)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, plus extra for garnish
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • Slice the napa cabbage and place it in a large bowl, separating the layers.
  • Mince the white parts of the green onion and slice a few of the green tops diagonally. Place all of the white onion (around 1/2 cup) and half of the green tops in the bowl.
  • Process the carrot into long shreds or matchsticks and add to bowl.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and toss to combine.
  • Garnish with the remaining green onion slices and extra sesame seeds.
  • This dish can be served room temperature or cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1peopleCalories: 50kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 401mgPotassium: 255mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gCalcium: 86mgIron: 1mgNet Carbohydrates: 3g

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Author

  • Cheryl McColgan

    Cheryl McColgan is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Heal Nourish Grow, where she has published evidence-based health and nutrition content since 2018.

    With over 30 years of experience in fitness, nutrition, and healthy living, and nearly 20 years of professional editorial and journalism experience, she brings both subject-matter depth and trained editorial judgment to everything on the site.

    Cheryl holds a degree in Psychology with a minor in Addictions Studies, completed graduate training in Clinical Psychology, and is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and E-RYT Certified Yoga Instructor and trained in Yoga Therapy.

    She is the author of 21 Day Fat Loss Kickstart, Make Keto Easy, Take Diet Breaks and Still Lose Weight, The Grain Free Cookbook for Beginners, and Easy Weeknight Keto.

    Read more about Cheryl and the journey that created Heal Nourish Grow on the about page.

    Cheryl McColgan is the founder of Heal Nourish Grow, where she writes about protein, body composition, healthy aging, and evidence-based nutrition and wellness along with the everyday habits that actually make those things work in real life.

    With a background in psychology and graduate training in clinical psychology, plus nearly 20 years of experience in editorial and publishing, Cheryl approaches health from both a research and real-world perspective. She’s also been immersed in fitness and nutrition for more than 25 years, which gives her a practical lens most purely academic content tends to miss.

    Her work today focuses heavily on protein intake (especially for women), muscle retention, metabolic health, and sustainable fat loss, along with topics like sleep, wellness, recovery, and wearable health tech. You’ll also find a mix of high-protein, low-carb recipes designed to make hitting those goals easier without overcomplicating things.

    Cheryl’s interest in health and nutrition became more personal after navigating her own health challenges, which pushed her to dig deeper into how lifestyle, diet and daily habits impact long-term health. That experience continues to shape how she approaches everything on this site: practical, realistic, and focused on what actually works over time.

    What Cheryl Covers

    Most of the content here falls into a few core areas:

    Protein & Muscle Health: how much you actually need, especially for women and how to use protein to support strength, body composition, and aging
    Fat Loss & Metabolic Health: sustainable approaches that prioritize muscle retention and long-term results
    Healthy Habits & Lifestyle: sleep, movement, strength training, consistency, and the small things that compound over time
    Wearables & Recovery: real-world testing and comparisons of tools like Oura, Whoop and others
    High-Protein & Low-Carb Recipes: simple, realistic meals that support your goals without feeling restrictive
    Travel & Lifestyle: wellness-focused travel, outdoor experiences, and a slightly more elevated take on healthy living

    If you're new, here are a few good places to begin:

    30 Day Healthy Habits Challenge

    Protein Foundations

    High Protein Recipes

    About Cheryl & Heal Nourish Grow

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