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Published: Oct 20, 2020 · Modified: Mar 21, 2022 by Tino Marie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Zesty Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad

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Zesty Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad offers a southern twist on a classic Top Ramen Salad with jalapenos, chipotle chile pepper, and pepitas. 

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Top Ramen Salad is one of those quirky salads that’s oddly satisfying. Shredded coleslaw, uncooked ramen noodles, sliced green onion and slivered almonds dressed with a simple vinaigrette makes one delicious - albeit quirky - salad.

Zesty Jalapeno Coleslaw

Who was this person who thought to add uncooked ramen noodles to a salad? It’s a seemingly random addition, but it works beautifully. Rather than feeling like chomping on raw spaghetti, the ramen noodles soften as they absorb the vinaigrette but avoid becoming unpleasantly mushy. The result is a really lovely ramen coleslaw.

Jump to:
  • What ingredients do you need to make ramen coleslaw?
  • Putting it Together
  • How long is ramen coleslaw good for?
  • Zesty Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad

What ingredients do you need to make ramen coleslaw?

To make this Zesty Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad you will need:

INGREDIENTS  

  • 1 package pre-shredded coleslaw mix
  • 2 packages ramen noodles
  • 1 cup pepitas (toasted or untoasted)
  • 1 bunch green onion, thinly sliced

This ramen coleslaw recipe also features a fantastic and zesty homemade jalapeno vinaigrette. Use this easy jalapeno vinaigrette recipe:

Zesty Jalapeno Vinaigrette Recipe

  • 2-3 jalapenos, diced, seeds removed
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • ⅓ cup white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon chipotle chile pepper
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad

Putting it Together

INSTRUCTIONS 

  1. Add 2-3 diced jalapenos, ½ cup canola oil, ⅓ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon chipotle chile pepper to a food processor and process for 30 - 40 seconds.
  2. Put both packages of ramen noodles into a gallon size bag and remove as much air as you can. Use a rolling pin to crush the noodles into smaller pieces.
  3. Dump the crushed ramen, coleslaw mix, pepitas, and sliced green onion into a large bowl.
  4. Pour all of the dressing over the coleslaw mix and stir until combined.
  5. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving. This allows enough time for the ramen noodles to soften but still retain some crunch.
  6. Add a few dashes of salt and pepper right before serving, to taste. This salad is best eaten within 24 hours.

Many Top Ramen Salad recipes call for a simple homemade dressing of oil, vinegar, and sugar, and oftentimes soy sauce. I decided to take a few liberties and take it a zestier route. I stayed true to the basic ingredients but spiced it up with fresh jalapeno and chipotle chile pepper to make this homemade jalapeno vinaigrette.

While slivered almonds are often the nut of choice in Top Ramen Salad, I swapped them out for pepitas. With just a couple of tweaks, you too can have your own unique spin with this Zesty Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad. 

Zesty Jalapeno Coleslaw

How long is ramen coleslaw good for?

The freshness countdown begins once you add the dressing to the top ramen salad. The crunchy ramen and crisp coleslaw can stand up to the vinaigrette stoically for many hours, but ideally you'll want to eat within 24 hours for optimal crunch. I think the sweet spot for this salad is between 4-24 hours.

If you like this ramen coleslaw recipe, you’ll most definitely like: 

  • Corny Quinoa Salad
  • Sweet Vinegar and Oil Dressing
  • Kohlrabi Slaw with Lemon Vinaigrette
  • Tex-Mex Pasta Salad
  • Sweet and Spicy Coleslaw Dressing
Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad

Zesty Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad

Zesty Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad offers a southern twist on the classic salad with jalapenos, chipotle chile pepper, and pepitas and a homemade Jalapeno Vinaigrette.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Course Salad, Side Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package pre-shredded coleslaw mix
  • 2 packages ramen noodles*
  • 1 cup pepitas **toasted or untoasted
  • 1 bunch green onion, thinly sliced

Zesty Jalapeno Vinaigrette

  • 2-3 jalapenos, diced, seeds removed
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • ⅓ cup white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon chipotle chile pepper
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Add 2-3 diced jalapenos, ½ cup canola oil, ⅓ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon chipotle chile pepper to a food processor and process for 30 - 40 seconds.
  • Put both packages of ramen noodles into a gallon size bag and remove as much air as you can. Use a rolling pin to crush the noodles into smaller pieces.
  • Dump the crushed ramen, coleslaw mix, pepitas, and sliced green onion into a large bowl.
  • Pour all of the dressing over the coleslaw mix and stir until combined.
  • Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving. This allows enough time for the ramen noodles to soften but still retain some crunch.
  • Add a few dashes of salt and pepper right before serving, to taste. This salad is best eaten within 24 hours.

Notes

*The flavor of the Ramen doesn’t matter, as this recipe doesn’t call for the use of the seasoning packets. If you’d like you can certainly add a seasoning packet to the dressing. I’ve made it with just one packet and without and both versions were good, IMHO. 
**Add pepitas to a pan over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. You just want to gently heat them. Let cool before adding to the Zesty Jalapeno Top Ramen Salad. 
Keyword jalapeno top ramen salad, ramaen noodle coleslaw, ramen coleslaw, top ramen salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Top Ramen Salad
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Christina from Midwexican

About Christina

I'm a Minnesota native who can't get enough of south-of-the-border flavors. My recipes combine comforting Midwestern eats with bold Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors. If you love comforting food, bold flavors, and - most importantly - tacos! then you'll love what I'm cooking!

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