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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Vegetable Side Dishes

    Published: Jul 11, 2018 · Modified: Jun 2, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Spicy Avocado Coleslaw

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    spicy coleslaw recipe

    Bright and Beautiful! This spicy coleslaw recipe is loaded with rainbow veggies and packed with flavor thanks to an avocado dressing. Who doesn’t love a healthy creamy coleslaw?  Cookout fun without all the extra calories or sugar. Bring on the spicy cabbage slaw!

    spicy coleslaw on a plate next to a serving bowl

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    We have been busy with small family picnics and July 4th cookouts. The social calendar doesn’t show signs of slowing down as we head towards Labor Day.

    When eating healthy with a group, whether it is the Wahls Protocol, AIP, Keto, or Paleo diets, it can be difficult to explain all the can haves and cannot haves. Our solution is to bring a double recipe of our spicy avocado coleslaw along with a crockpot full of citrus shredded beef and corn tortillas. Taco party!

    Both recipes are incredibly simple to make with just a few ingredients each.

    Jump to:
    • Spicy Cabbage Slaw Ingredients
    • Recipe Instructions
    • More Summer Side Dish Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    Spicy Cabbage Slaw Ingredients

    Coleslaw

    • Purple and Green Cabbage- I like to use a mix of the two. You can also use savoy or napa cabbage in this recipe. But when making in advance a basic cabbage holds up better.
    • Carrots- Any color but I usually use orange for this recipe so the color pops against the purple and green.
    • Parsley- I use a whole bunch but you can also substitute cilantro, basil, or Thai basil.

    Spicy Avocado Dressing

    • Avocado- One full delicious ripe avocado is all you need.
    • Jalapeno- This recipe uses half to one whole jalapeno. I recommend going light and adding more to the dressing until you get to your perfect spice level.
    • Mayonnaise- I typically use vegan Just Mayo to keep it BBQ friendly and accommodate everyone but any mayo of your choice will work.  Another vegan option is to use our cilantro vegan avocado sauce but thin down with a 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar instead of water.
    • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
    • Apple Cider Vinegar- A little acid goes a long way. You can substitute lime or lemon for a citrus twist.
    • Kosher Salt

    Recipe Instructions

    Do you love a simple recipe that takes the stress away from potluck dinners?  Yes, me too. One bowl and food processor (or blender) is all you need.

    This spicy coleslaw recipe is best after it has time to rest and develop flavor. We suggest making the night before you plan on serving.

    Which makes coleslaw a perfect meal prep item for the week. One night we serve with BBQ chicken off the grill and then we use leftover slaw as a topping for Spice Crusted Grilled Flank Steak salads.

    spicy coleslaw ingredients in a blender

    To make the dressing add the jalapeno, avocado and the remaining wet ingredients into a small food processor or blender. Pulse until creamy and smooth, salt and pepper to taste. I typically make it slightly less salty than I think it needs to be and then test it the next day.

    ingredients for spicy colaeslaw in bowls

    Slice the cabbages thinly and shred your carrots. Add the veggies for the coleslaw into a big bowl and drizzle with the dressing. Garnish with extra parsley and wow your crowd with this gorgeously spicy rainbow coleslaw. 

    More Summer Side Dish Recipes

    Thanks for stopping by and trying out our favorite spicy slaw recipe. Here are a few more delicious gluten-free summer side dish recipes you need to try!

    • Blue Cheese Potato Salad- GF
    • Rainbow Potato Salad- GF, DF
    • Extra Garlic Green Beans- GF, DF

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    spicy coleslaw on a plate next to a serving bowl

    Spicy Avocado Coleslaw

    Bold and colorful, this spicy avocado coleslaw is a healthy paleo version that is gluten, dairy, and sugar free.
    Servings: 8
    Prep: 15 mins
    Cook: 0 mins
    Total: 15 mins
    5 from 8 votes
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    Equipment

    • Blender or food processor

    Ingredients
      

    Spicy Avocado Dressing

    • 1 avocado, peeled and chunked
    • ½-1 jalapeno, cut in half
    • ½ c vegan mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

    Cabbage Slaw

    • ½ small head purple cabbage, sliced into ribbons
    • ½ small head green cabbage, sliced into ribbons
    • 2 carrots, shredded about 1 cup
    • 1 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • To make the dressing place avocado, jalapeno, mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, and salt into the food processor. Blend until smooth. Taste for salt and heat.
      avocado dressing in a blender and shredded cabbage in a bowl
    • Toss veggies in a large mixing bowl. Pour dressing over the veggies and mix to evenly coat. Salt and pepper to taste before serving.
      cabbage slaw in a serving bowl
    Rate this Recipe

    Video

    Notes

    1. For AIP compliant, substitute 1 teaspoon wasabi powder for the jalapeno and omit any black pepper.
    2. This spicy cabbage slaw gets better with time. We suggest making the night before you plan to serve. 
    3. Properly stored this spicy cabbage slaw will keep 3 to 5 days in the fridge. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 150kcal | Carbs: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Fiber: 2g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, BBQ, Southern
    Keyword Avocado, cabbage, Coleslaw, Gluten Free, Healthy, Paleo, Potluck, Spicy
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mama Maggie's Kitchen says

      May 20, 2020 at 6:17 pm

      5 stars
      Hmmm yum! Loving all those colors! This spicy coleslaw recipe looks really delicious and refreshing to eat! I can't wait to try!

      Reply
    2. Leslie says

      May 19, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      I think I've only had traditional coleslaw recipe. I would love to give this a try!

      Reply
    3. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      May 19, 2020 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars
      What a tasty looking coleslaw! I've been eating a lot of it recently whilst we have been eating outside more. This looks well worth a try!

      Reply
    4. Marlynn says

      May 19, 2020 at 3:58 pm

      5 stars
      This avocado slaw is so full of yummy flavors and crunch. Perfect for our BBQ dinners!

      Reply
    5. Alison says

      May 19, 2020 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was so good! Creamy and delicious. I can't wait to bring it to summer picnics and BBQs this year!

      Reply
    6. Heather says

      July 03, 2019 at 4:42 pm

      How many servings does this recipe make?

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 22, 2019 at 8:05 pm

        It makes 8 servings

        Reply

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    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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