North Woods Inn Salad – The Iconic, Crunchy, Addictive Steakhouse-Style Salad You Can Make at Home

North Woods Inn Salad

Thank you so much for being here today. Truly—sharing these nostalgic, beloved recipes with you always feels like swapping stories across a cozy dinner table. And today’s recipe? Ohhhh, it’s one I’ve been so excited to share. If you’ve ever eaten at the legendary North Woods Inn restaurants, then you already know: this salad is unforgettable.

Crunchy. Creamy. Tangy. Sweet. Savory. And absolutely smothered in that signature bright-red dressing. This North Woods Inn Salad is a copycat dream come true—and so easy to recreate at home.

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What Is North Woods Inn Salad?

The famous North Woods Inn Salad is a double-dressed coleslaw-style salad served at Clearman’s North Woods Inn restaurants in California. It’s not your typical leafy green salad—it’s made with crisp shredded cabbage tossed in TWO dressings: a creamy-style dressing plus a tangy red vinaigrette. The result is an insanely flavorful, crunchy, crave-able salad that pairs beautifully with steaks, chicken, and just about anything.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Restaurant-level flavor at home
• Easy ingredients—nothing fancy!
• Incredibly crunchy thanks to fresh cabbage
• Make-ahead friendly—gets even better as it chills
• Perfect side dish for BBQs, holidays, parties, and potlucks
• Authentic taste—just like the original!

What Does North Woods Inn Salad Taste Like?

It’s crisp, tangy, sweet, and bold with a creamy undertone. The garlic sings, the red dressing gives a punch of acidity, and the combination creates that unmistakable “North Woods” flavor. The longer it sits, the more the flavors marry—and the more impossible it becomes to stop eating. Anything but boring!!

Benefits of Making This Salad at Home

• Budget-friendly
• No cooking required
• Feeds a crowd
• Stays crunchy for days
• Great with grilled or roasted proteins
• A restaurant-style upgrade to any dinner

Ingredients

Salad Base

• 1 medium head green cabbage, finely shredded
• 1 medium head red cabbage, finely shredded (optional for color)

For the Creamy Dressing

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder

For the Red Dressing

• ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp onion powder

Tools You’ll Need

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife or mandoline
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Large serving bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions

• Add color: Use half red cabbage for a restaurant-style look.
• Sweeter dressing: Increase sugar by 1–2 tablespoons.
• More tang: Add extra vinegar to either dressing.
• Healthier twist: Replace half the mayo with Greek yogurt.
• Garlic lovers: Add fresh minced garlic to the creamy dressing.
• Shortcut: Use pre-shredded coleslaw mix.

How to Make North Woods Inn Salad (Step-by-Step)

1. Shred the Cabbage

Slice cabbage very thinly—this is key! Place into a large bowl and fluff with your hands.

2. Make the Creamy Dressing

In a bowl, whisk together mayo, sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

3. Make the Red Dressing

Whisk oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, garlic salt, paprika, pepper, and onion powder until well combined.

4. Toss With Both Dressings

Pour the creamy dressing over the cabbage and toss thoroughly. Then drizzle the red dressing on top and toss again until fully coated.

5. Chill

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Overnight is even better—this salad LOVES to marinate.

6. Serve

Give it a final toss before serving. Watch it disappear!

What to Serve With North Woods Inn Salad

• Grilled steak (classic pairing!)
• BBQ chicken
• Pork chops
• Tri-tip
• Hamburgers and hot dogs
• Baked potatoes
• Fried chicken
• Ribs
• Fish tacos

It honestly goes with everything—especially hearty, savory meals.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Lasts 3–4 days, still crunchy!
• Freezer: Not recommended.
• Make-ahead: Ideal for prepping the night before a gathering.

General Information

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Chill time: 2 hours
• Servings: 8–10
• Difficulty: Easy

Conclusion

If you’ve been craving that iconic steakhouse-style salad with the punchy red dressing and unforgettable crunch, this North Woods Inn Salad is going to make you so happy. It’s nostalgic, bold, refreshing, and ridiculously easy to whip up. Truly one of the simplest salads with the biggest payoff!

If you love copycat recipes, be sure to try my Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter, Olive Garden Salad Dressing, and Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits next!

Share Your Creation!

Make this salad? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a review below and share your photos on Pinterest—your kitchen creations always brighten my day.

Nutritional Information (approx. per serving)

• Calories: 210
• Fat: 17g
• Carbs: 12g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 2g