Spicy Coleslaw with Avocado Dressing

This Spicy Coleslaw with Avocado is my favorite coleslaw recipe! It's made with fresh, crunchy cabbage and carrots doused in a spicy, tangy, and creamy avocado dressing.

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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! 

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, my solution is to bring a double recipe of our spicy avocado coleslaw along with a crockpot full of citrus shredded beef or shredded beef in BBQ sauce and corn tortillas. Taco party!

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

Jump to:

• 📖Why This Recipe Works
• 🧾Ingredients for Spicy Coleslaw
• ⏲️How to Make Spicy Slaw
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip
• 🌡️Storing Leftovers
• More Summer Side Dish Recipes
• 💭 Frequently Asked Questions
• 📖 Recipe
• ⭐Reviews

📖Why This Recipe Works

• Simple ingredients. A simple blend of veggies and a dressing made of basic kitchen staples—or anything you can easily find at your local grocery store. This really is such an easy recipe with delicious results.
• Perfect texture. This recipe yields an extra creamy coleslaw thanks to the mayonnaise and the avocado in the dressing. This will turn even a coleslaw skeptic into a coleslaw fan!

🧾Ingredients for Spicy Coleslaw

This mayonnaise-based coleslaw is deliciously creamy and loaded with the best fresh and crunchy textures. Here's what you'll need:

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 made 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.

Avocado Coleslaw 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 it down with 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.

⏲️How to Make Spicy Slaw

This recipe couldn't be simpler! Just a few fresh veggies tossed in a simple, spicy dressing. 

Step 1 - Make the Dressing

To make the dressing, add the jalapeno peppers, avocado, and the remaining wet ingredients into a small food processor or blender.

Pulse until creamy and smooth, then add salt and pepper to taste. I typically make it less salty than I think it needs to be, then I taste test it and add more the next day if necessary.

This dressing is already pretty darn spicy thanks to the jalapeño, but if you like it extra spicy, try adding additional spicy ingredients such as chopped chipotle peppers or habanero pepper, a little bit of chili powder or cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of hot sauce.

Step 2 - Combine

In a large bowl, combine cabbage, shredded carrots, and chopped parsley. Now, your veggie blend doesn't have to stop there. Feel free to add in diced bell peppers, chopped red onion, or green onions.

Pour the creamy dressing over the veggies, then mix well so that everything is evenly coated. Add salt and black pepper to taste, then serve or 

🥗What to Serve with Homemade Coleslaw

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 Grilled Flank Steak salads.

But it is also delicious on fish tacos or shrimp tacos. Or try it alongside a piece of spicy seared cod.

I think coleslaw pairs well with other summer side dish recipes like fresh garden green beans with garlic, parmesan zucchini and squash, and of course potato salad with blue cheese.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

This spicy coleslaw recipe is best after it has had time to rest. Letting it sit and marinate gives it time to really develop flavor. For the best results, I recommend making it the night before you plan on serving it!

🌡️Storing Leftovers

Leftover spicy coleslaw can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

More Summer Side Dish Recipes

💭 Frequently Asked Questions

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📖 Recipe