Fresh Senegalese Mafé Salad with Cabbage and Carrots

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A crunchy and vibrant salad inspired by Senegalese flavors, featuring shredded cabbage, carrots, and a spicy peanut dressing. This african-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs shredded green cabbage, medium, julienned carrots, small, thinly sliced red bell pepper into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Serves 4 African cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 2 medium julienned carrots, 1 small thinly sliced red bell pepper, and 3 thinly sliced scallions.
  2. Step 2: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp fresh grated ginger, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 3 tbsp water until smooth and pourable.
  3. Step 3: Pour the peanut dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  4. Step 4: Transfer salad to a serving dish and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for added texture and flavor.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Fresh Senegalese Mafé Salad with Cabbage and Carrots take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Fresh Senegalese Mafé Salad with Cabbage and Carrots?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shredded green cabbage from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fresh Senegalese Mafé Salad with Cabbage and Carrots?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Fresh Senegalese Mafé Salad with Cabbage and Carrots for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Fresh Senegalese Mafé Salad with Cabbage and Carrots?

African salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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