Jalapeno Coleslaw

Jalapeno coleslaw is a delicious and effortless dish. This is the best slaw recipe, with the perfect amount of spiciness, tanginess, and sweetness. Every bite of jalapeño coleslaw is good enough to celebrate like a mini fiesta.

Who can't resist classic tacos topped with spicy, creamy coleslaw? Or how about fried chicken served with a complementing slaw and jalapeno? Sounds very delicious, right? Explore these never-ending combinations right at home. Try this jalapeno artichoke dip and jalapeno mustard for another delicious jalapeno dish.

Why You'll Love This 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. Depending on your individual preference, you can make it mild or hot. We discuss all the possibilities later in this post.
• Feel-good dish. This is a fresh and hearty dish made with Greek yogurt to enjoy this creamy coleslaw consciously, which lets you enjoy all the goodness without compromising on taste.

The Ingredients 

• Carrot. This vibrant-looking vegetable is added for its color and sweetness, which are well-balanced by the jalapeño's flavor profile in this jalapeno coleslaw.
• White or red cabbage. Both add a nice crunch. While red cabbage is not mandatory, it brings a contrasting color and makes it look pleasing. Shred them with a mandolin. If you have a store-bought ready-made slaw, use it 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. You can reduce the heat level by removing 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; 
• 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?

1. Shred the carrot, white, and red cabbage, and finely chop the jalapeños, removing seeds and membranes.

2. Whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic powder, maple syrup, and salt until creamy.

3. Add the shredded veggies and chopped jalapeño to the dressing. Stir until everything is evenly coated.

4. Cover and refrigerate for an hour, then serve chilled as a side dish or topping.

What To Serve With?

Jalapeno coleslaw is a spicy and crunchy side dish or condiment that is great for any occasion. 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 a taco is one of the most combos.
• 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, and sandwiches: Spread a layer of jalapeno coleslaw on a burger or hot dog. Feel the outstanding results it brings.

Make-ahead Option

• Are you planning a get-together or just prepping for the week ahead? Great news! This jalapeño coleslaw is an excellent, make-ahead-friendly recipe.
• For this, prepare the veggies and the dressing separately.
• Store both in an airtight container in the refrigerator. And mix them just before serving.
• The dressing and the shredded veggies can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 1 to 2 days. This resting time helps the dressing intensify its flavors.

Recipe Tips And Tricks

• 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. If time permits, chill the dressing and the veggies before combining, as the veggies and the dressing mix better when cold.
• Lemon zest. Stir a bit of lemon zest into 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 mango or pineapple along with diced jalapeno. This provides a tropical flavor with a tangy contrast(like this pineapple habanero salsa, pineapple jalapeno sauce, and pineapple jalapeno jam).
• Jalapeno lime coleslaw. Substitute the lemon juice for the lime juice and add half a teaspoon of lime zest. Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro for a delicious herby aroma.
• Jalapeno corn coleslaw. Toss shredded cabbage, corn kernels, and carrots for an extra crunch.
• 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 Greek yogurt for mayonnaise. Explore spicy recipes like spicy rigatoni and spicy alfredo sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions