Spice up your lunchtime salad with this healthy twist on coleslaw!
I know it’s not summer anymore, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the delicious flavor of coleslaw all year long. I know for certain I would be perfectly happy having this as a side dish at every holiday party this season! Better yet, I’d even switch up and use green cabbage, mix in a few red bell peppers and call this the Christmas Coleslaw. Bingo, idea for next month noted right now!
Anyways, coleslaw has not always been a favorite of mine. Why? Well for starters, I hate mayonnaise. My mom always told me hate is a strong word and you shouldn’t use it, but #realtalk, I can admittedly say I HATE mayonnaise. I won’t get into details, but let’s just say I spent one to many summers scooping 10 pounds vats of mayo out at the Ronald Reagan Library during my catering days…
Second, the coleslaw I grew up with was usually from my Grandma. Now, I love my Grandma but she’s one sneaky lady. Her infamous coleslaw was a secret family recipe that was most certainly 75% mayonnaise and from a little restaurant you know as KFC. So yes, you get the picture, I did not know true coleslaw.
Thus, when I experienced the coleslaw served at the Los Angeles restaurant Pink Taco I was amazed at the vibrant color and lack of mayonnaise. I immediately asked the server, what’s in this?! It’s amazing. He came back with the chef and told me it was a marinade of vinegar and spices with fresh herbs. Bingo, I’ll take another!
After two side orders of coleslaw, I told Mr. CEO we had to stop at Sprouts on our way back to San Diego. I needed a head of cabbage and I needed it now!
I spent an entire week coming up with variations on this simple slaw. You most certainly can alter and use vegetables and spices that you have on hand, but here’s a great combo! It’s a little sweet, a little spicy and a whole lot of tangy that will wow your taste buds without a doubt.
Plus, it also pairs perfectly with a lean protein source for a quick on the go lunch or dinner during the week.
Happy coleslaw-ing!
- 1 head of purple cabbage 1/4" strips, washed and sliced thin
- 2 whole jalapenos seeded and chopped
- 1 large carrot grated
- 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
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In a large bowl, combine all liquid ingredients.
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Combine dry spices together and then whisk into liquid ingredients.
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Pour all ingredients including cabbage and jalapeno into the large bowl, making sure they are completely submerged in the liquid.
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Refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.
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Top with grated carrots!
I have never seen such a healthy coleslaw recipe – this is amazing! i hate getting loaded up on too much of the mayo and stuff in traditional coleslaw so I’m adding this to my recipe lists to try it out soon. How spicy would you say it is, though? I’m a little bit of a wimp. I can only handle mild/medium.
Oh yay! Honestly, it’s more tangy than spicy. If you prefer a mild tone though, for sure feel free to use a bell pepper instead of the jalapeno and add a little black pepper in for a tiny bit of flavoring. I hope you enjoy! Tag @shawsimpleswaps if you post on social media, I’d love to see it!
Ummm where has this been all my life?! Can’t wait to make this, cabbage stop on the way home!
LOL- glad to see your enthusiasm for this! I miss you so much married lady. Hope we can connect soon- I feel like a SD trip is in store for you both this year?
Your recipe sounds really interesting.
My grandma made her Cole slaw without mayo. She used equal parts of water, vinegar and sugar. Then added celery seed for flavor.
I’m not that fond of mayo either as my mom always used Miracle whip. Yuck!
Happy Thursday 🙂
I’m glad we share the same dislike of mayo or miracle ship- yuck is right! :). Happy Thursday to you too!
That color is amazing! I love coleslaw and this one is definitely calling me!
Thanks Jessica- I hope you enjoy! I may have gone a little saturation crazy in picmonkey.com, but hey- I love it too! hah!
This flavor combination sounds amazing! I used to not like cole slaw until recently, and I think it’s because I had always had versions that were drowned in mayo. Looks like I need to add cabbage to my grocery list!
Interesting & zesty, most definitely! I hope you enjoy 🙂
Such a colorful slaw!!! I am not a spicy person but I will definitily have to make this to see how well it tastes!
Oh my gosh–your grandma must have worked hard on the cole slaw–haaaaa. I literally was craving slaw this weekend for our cookout! Thanks!
This looks so vibrant and flavorful!! I feel like it could be tossed on so many different dishes, too!