Jalapeno coleslaw is a delicious and effortless dish. This is the best slaw recipe with the perfect amount of spiciness, tanginess, and sweetness. And every bite of jalapeño coleslaw is good to celebrate like a mini fiesta.
Who can't resist classic tacos topped with spicy, creamy coleslaw? Or how about the fried chicken served with a complementing slaw with jalapeno? Sound very delicious, right? Explore these never-ending combinations right at your home. Try this jalapeno artichoke dip, jalapeno mustard for another delicious jalapeno dish.
Why do you all love this delightful jalapeno coleslaw?
Jalapeño in a better way. Everyone agrees that jalapeño can transform a simple dish into a fabulous meal. Thanks to the gentle kick and the busting flavors of jalapeño-worked very well in this recipe too. Explore more jalapeño recipes like jalapeno peanut brittle and jalapeno simple syrup.
Picnic perfect. Whether it's a backyard party or an indoor family gathering, this jalapeno coleslaw is fabulous to meet all expectations.
Highly customizable. Turn this side dish mild or hot, depending on your individual preference. We discuss all the possibilities later in this post.
Guilt-free dish. Who said that a tasty dish cannot be healthy? This recipe is made consciously with Greek yogurt to enjoy this creamy coleslaw without guilt.
Easy to prep. This jalapeno coleslaw comes together quickly. On top of this, if you plan to go with the pre-packed slaw, Yeah!! 90% of the work is already done. All you need to do is simply combine the ingredients.
Ingredients
Carrot. This vibrant-looking vegetable is added for its color and sweetness, balanced well by the jalapeño's flavor profile in this jalapeno coleslaw .
White/Red cabbage. Both add up a nice crunch. While red cabbage is not mandatory, it brings a contrasting color and makes it look pleasing.
Shred them with a mandolin-It's not only convenient but provides excellent results as well. And if you have a store-bought ready-made slaw-feel free to use them instead of shredding.
Greek yogurt. It's rich and creamy with a mild tanginess. Its luscious texture combines all the ingredients in this jalapeno slaw with a velvety finish.
Jalapeño. The star of the show and this one ingredient enhances the overall recipe.
If you are considering reducing that heat level, remove the seeds and the pith(these two hold most of the heat) from the jalapeño.
On the other hand, you may also reserve them and incorporate them later to match your personal heat tolerance;
On a side note, if you are a beginner in the kitchen or have sensitive skin - wear gloves to avoid any skin irritations.
Lemon juice. Brightens the coleslaw, adding a refreshing acidity perfectly balanced by the spiciness of the jalapeno.
Onion and garlic powder. These may sound simple, but they are excellent for adding depth and warmth of flavor to the jalapeno slaw.
Maple syrup. A natural sweetener! Honey is an excellent alternative.
How to make jalapeño coleslaw?
Planning coleslaw's heat level. The jalapeno's heat is more concentrated in its seeds and rib. Hence, if you prefer jalapeno coleslaw with subtle heat, then remove them entirely before chopping.
If unsure about the heat level, reserve the seeds and the pith from the jalapeno. Add a little quantity until it matches your heat tolerance.
Prepare the veggies
Shred the carrot, white and red cabbage, and finely chop the jalapeños(Learn how to handle jalapeno hands.). And set them ready. Use a mandolin or food processor to make this work easier.
Prepare the dressing
Add Greek yogurt, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic powder, maple syrup, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Whisk all the ingredients together until it becomes a creamy consistency.
And add the shredded carrot, white cabbage and cabbage and chopped jalapeño. And gently stir until the dressing is combined with all the shredded veggies and the heat is evenly distributed.
Resting time
Cover tightly with the cling wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This helps the flavors meld and enhance, making the coleslaw even more delicious.
Best to serve with
Jalapeno coleslaw is a spicy and crunchy dish that is great to serve as a side dish or a condiment. Here are some of the best hand-picked ones.
Barbecue / Grilled Meat. The creamy coleslaw perfectly compliments the smoky-flavored barbecued or grilled meat.
Fish or Vegan Tacos. Our family loves to add a spoonful as a topping with tacos, especially the fish taco. Planning for a taco night? This jalapeno slaw for taco is one of the must combo to try on.
Fried Chicken. Do you often consider adding a zing to simple fried chicken? Serving this as a side dish will never disappoint you.
Burgers / Hot Dogs / Sandwiches. Spread a layer of jalapeno coleslaw on a burger or hot dog. Feel the outstanding results it brings in.
How to store the leftover
Preparing for Storage. Before stashing away your jalapeno coleslaw, ensure it's cooled to room temperature. This helps in preserving its freshness and crunch.
In the Refrigerator. Place your coleslaw in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It'll stay fresh and tasty for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer. While freezing isn't the most recommended for coleslaw (due to its creamy base and crunchy veggies), ensure it's in a freezer-safe, airtight container if you must. Label with the date so you remember when you tucked it away.
Thawing: If you've frozen your jalapeno coleslaw, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing ensures the flavors meld back together gracefully.
Reheating: Honestly, coleslaw is best enjoyed cold. But if you wish to serve it slightly warmer, give it a gentle stir and let it sit at room temperature for a bit. Avoid microwaving as it can make the veggies soggy.
Make-ahead option
Are you planning for a together or just prepping for the week ahead? Great news! This jalapeño coleslaw is a great make-ahead-friendly recipe.
For this, prepare the veggies and the dressing separately.
Store both in the refrigerator in an airtight container. And mix them just before serving.
The dressing and the shredded veggies are good to store in the refrigerator separately for up to 1 to 2 days. Plus, this resting time helps the dressing to intensify its flavors.
Cooking tips
Fresh veggies. And everyone knows opting for fresh vegetables provides remarkable results.
Test the taste. Adjust the seasoning for a perfect balance of flavors.
Chili before mixing. Chill the dressing and the veggies before combining, if time permits, as the veggies and the dressing mix better when cold.
Lemon zest. Stir a bit of lemon zest to the dressing for an extra layer of Zing.
Sweetness. Adjust the maple syrup according to the heat of this jalapeno coleslaw.
Variations
Pineapple jalapeño coleslaw. Add some diced jalapeños out of the tropical fruits like mango. This provides a tropical flavor with extra sweet and tangy contrast(like this pineapple habanero salsa, pineapple jalapeno sauce, pineapple jalapeno jam).
Jalapeno lime coleslaw. Substitute the lemon juice with the lime juice and add half a teaspoon of lime zest. For a delicious herby aroma, stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro.
Jalapeno corn coleslaw. Toss some corn kernels for an extra crunch, along with the shredded cabbage and carrots.
Apple jalapeno coleslaw. Apples do have a great crunch that works excellent with the jalapeño flavors. For best results, roughly chop or shred the apples. Both these options work in this recipe.
Jalapeno ranch coleslaw. Swap the Greek yogurt with the ranch.
Classic spicy coleslaw. Substitute the Greek yogurt with mayonnaise. Explore more spicy recipes like spicy rigatoni, spicy alfredo sauce, and one-pot spicy Thai noodles with peanuts.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely, replace the Greek yogurt from this recipe list with a vegan mayo or plant-based yogurt. And these options will retain the creamy texture that we all love.
Do you love jalapeño flavors and not its heat? Yes, you can still enjoy this dish. Remove the seeds in the membrane from the jalapeño and just add its flesh - for a milder heat.
Probably the coleslaw needs more complimenting ingredients. Add in more maple syrup, or try adding more dressing. Alternatively, toss some shredded apples neutralizing their bitterness.
Certainly, we have discussed many of the variations just above this paragraph. Cucumber, radish, Julienned apples, chopped pineapple, or mango for the extra texture.
Tools required to make this recipe.
Mandolin. A good quality mandolin is essential to achieve the texture. And this one is great, with good customer reviews.
Large mixing bowls. A good quality spacious bowl mixing bowl is convenient for this jalapeno coleslaw recipe.
Chopping board. This is an essential tool needed in the kitchen, and a good quality chopping board makes the kitchen job a breeze.
Printable recipe card
Jalapeño Coleslaw
Ingredients
For the Coleslaw
- 1 cup carrot shredded
- 2 cups white cabbage shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage shredded
- 1-2 jalapeños finely chopped (seeds and ribs removed or reserved, as desired)
For the Dressing
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- salt to taste
Instructions
Prep the Vegetables:
- Shred the carrot, white and red cabbage, and finely chop the jalapeños. Remove the seeds and the white membrane of the jalapeno.
Make the Dressing
- In a large mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic powder, maple syrup, and salt. Whisk all the ingredients together until it becomes a creamy consistency.
Combine with Vegetables
- Add the shredded carrot, white cabbage, red cabbage, and chopped jalapeño to the dressing. Gently stir until the dressing is combined with all the shredded veggies and the heat is evenly distributed.
Chill
- Cover tightly with cling wrap and place the coleslaw in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This resting time helps the flavors meld and enhance, making the coleslaw even more delicious.
Serve
- Serve chilled as a side dish with grilled meats and sandwiches or topping for tacos.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy your homemade Jalapeño Coleslaw! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.
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