Shirazi-Inspired Winter Slaw

Featured in: Quick Family Meals

This vibrant winter slaw combines shredded red cabbage, julienned carrots, thinly sliced fennel, diced cucumber, and pomegranate arils, tossed with fresh parsley, mint, and dill. A tangy citrus-herb dressing made from lemon, orange juices, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and sumac ties the dish together. Letting it rest for 10-15 minutes allows flavors to meld beautifully. Ideal for a refreshing side that balances crisp textures with bright, zesty notes.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:01:00 GMT
Vibrant Shirazi-Inspired Winter Slaw, a colorful salad with crunchy vegetables and citrus dressing. Pin this
Vibrant Shirazi-Inspired Winter Slaw, a colorful salad with crunchy vegetables and citrus dressing. | recipeshood.com

A bright, crunchy slaw inspired by Persian Shirazi salad, featuring winter vegetables and a tangy citrus-herb dressing.

This recipe reminds me of chilly winter evenings when a fresh and tangy salad brightens the meal.

Ingredients

  • Red cabbage: 1 small, finely shredded
  • Carrots: 2 medium, julienned
  • Fennel bulb: 1 small, thinly sliced
  • Red onion: 1 small, finely diced
  • Cucumber: 1 medium, diced
  • Pomegranate arils: ½ cup
  • Fresh parsley: ½ cup, chopped
  • Fresh mint leaves: ¼ cup, chopped
  • Fresh dill: 2 tablespoons, chopped
  • Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tablespoons
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
  • Freshly squeezed orange juice: 2 tablespoons
  • Red wine vinegar: 1 tablespoon
  • Sumac: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: ½ teaspoon or to taste
  • Ground black pepper: ¼ teaspoon

Instructions

Combine vegetables:
In a large salad bowl, combine the shredded red cabbage, carrots, fennel, onion, cucumber, and pomegranate arils.
Add herbs:
Add the chopped parsley, mint, and dill to the bowl, tossing gently to distribute the herbs evenly.
Prepare dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, red wine vinegar, sumac, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
Toss salad:
Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss thoroughly to coat all vegetables and herbs.
Rest:
Let the slaw sit for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld Serve chilled or at room temperature.
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My family loves sharing this slaw as a fresh side during our winter gatherings enhancing every meal with bright flavors.

Notes

Garnish with additional pomegranate arils for color Serve as a side with grilled meats, fish, or falafel Pairs well with dry white wines or light reds

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl Chefs knife Cutting board Whisk Small bowl or jar

Allergen Information

Contains none of the major allergens If adding nuts, note potential tree nut allergens Always verify ingredient labels if concerned about cross-contamination

Fresh, crunchy Shirazi-Inspired Winter Slaw, tossed with herbs and bursting with bright flavors for serving. Pin this
Fresh, crunchy Shirazi-Inspired Winter Slaw, tossed with herbs and bursting with bright flavors for serving. | recipeshood.com

This slaw is a bright and easy addition to any winter meal, perfect for vibrant healthy eating.

Frequently Asked Recipe Questions

What vegetables are used in this dish?

Shredded red cabbage, julienned carrots, thinly sliced fennel, diced red onion, cucumber, and pomegranate arils form the base of this slaw.

Which herbs enhance the flavor?

Fresh parsley, mint leaves, and chopped dill provide an aromatic and refreshing herbal note to the slaw.

How is the dressing prepared?

The dressing combines extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon and orange juices, red wine vinegar, sumac, salt, and black pepper whisked together until emulsified.

Can I make substitutions for fennel?

Apple can be used as a substitute for fennel to maintain crunch and add sweetness if preferred.

How long should the slaw rest before serving?

Allow the slaw to sit for 10–15 minutes after tossing with the dressing to let flavors meld and intensify.

Any suggestions to add extra texture?

Adding toasted walnuts or slivered almonds provides additional crunch and nutty accents.

Shirazi-Inspired Winter Slaw

Crunchy winter slaw tossed with fresh herbs and a vibrant citrus dressing for a bright, flavorful dish.

Prep Duration
20 min
Time to Cook
1 min
Overall Time
21 min
Created by Julia Harris

Meal Type Quick Family Meals

Level of Challenge Easy

Cuisine Type Persian-Inspired

Servings Made 4 Number of Portions

Dietary Details Vegan-friendly, No Dairy Contained, Contains No Gluten

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 1 small red cabbage, finely shredded
02 2 medium carrots, julienned
03 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
04 1 small red onion, finely diced
05 1 medium cucumber, diced
06 ½ cup pomegranate arils

Herbs

01 ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
02 ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
03 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

Dressing

01 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
02 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
03 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
04 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
05 1 teaspoon sumac
06 ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
07 ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Method

Step 01

Combine vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, toss together shredded red cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced fennel, diced red onion, diced cucumber, and pomegranate arils.

Step 02

Add fresh herbs: Incorporate chopped parsley, mint, and dill into the vegetable mixture, gently mixing to distribute evenly.

Step 03

Prepare dressing: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, red wine vinegar, sumac, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.

Step 04

Dress the slaw: Pour the dressing over the vegetable and herb mixture, tossing thoroughly to ensure all components are evenly coated.

Step 05

Rest and serve: Allow the slaw to rest for 10 to 15 minutes to meld the flavors before serving chilled or at room temperature.

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Whisk
  • Small bowl or jar

Allergen Details

Review every ingredient for allergens and reach out to a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains no major allergens; nuts may be added optionally, introducing tree nut allergens.
  • Check ingredient labels for potential cross-contamination risks.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutrition info is for reference purposes only and isn't medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 145
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Proteins: 3 g