16 Tangy Coleslaw Recipes That Are Great for Picnics and Potlucks (2024)

Coleslaw is a classic side dish, and it can be transformed in so many ways. There's classic creamy coleslaw with shredded cabbage and mayonnaise, lighter vinegar coleslaw recipes, spicy variations, and so much more. No matter what your main dish is, you'll find the best coleslaw recipe for your meal right here!

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Classic Creamy Coleslaw

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16 Tangy Coleslaw Recipes That Are Great for Picnics and Potlucks (1)

If you want a traditional, easy coleslaw recipe, this is the best one around. Combine shredded green and red cabbage with carrots, green onions, and a coleslaw dressing recipe that uses mayonnaise, celery seeds, and lemon juice. It's simple, creamy, tangy, and delicious!

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Cucumber Radish Slaw

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16 Tangy Coleslaw Recipes That Are Great for Picnics and Potlucks (2)

Want proof that not every coleslaw recipe needs cabbage? Look no further than this refreshing cucumber slaw. It combines cucumber slices, radishes, and red peppers with an easy cider vinaigrette. It's ready to eat in just 20 minutes, or you can let it chill in the fridge for a few hours and serve later.

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Sweet Potato-Pomegranate Slaw

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Sweet potatoes can improve almost any recipe, including coleslaw! Shredded raw sweet potatoes take the place of traditional cabbage in this recipe for coleslaw, and they add gorgeous color and delicious flavor. Pair with pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and cilantro for a one-of-a-kind slaw with sweetness and tang.

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Sesame Noodle Slaw

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This Asian coleslaw recipe mixes cabbage and a vinegar dressing with uncooked ramen noodles, which help give it some crunch. Sesame seeds, soy sauce, and rice vinegar give the coleslaw Asian-inspired flavors. If you want the noodles to be a little softer, instead of serving right away, let the slaw sit in the fridge for a few hours so the noodles soak up some of the dressing.

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Spicy Broccoli Slaw

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This easy recipe for coleslaw couldn't be simpler: it starts with a purchased broccoli slaw mix, and all you have to do is dress it up a little. Toss in jalapeño peppers and a splash of hot pepper sauce to give it some heat, and small dill gherkins for a little extra tang. A classic mayo coleslaw dressing is the best creamy finish for this tasty side dish.

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Creamy BLT Coleslaw

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Two summer favorites in one! Since mayo is classically used in both coleslaw and as a sauce for BLT sandwiches, it's only natural to pair the two into one of the best coleslaw recipes ever. Crispy bacon and juicy cherry tomatoes upgrade this otherwise-traditional slaw.

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Vinaigrette Coleslaw

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Like your coleslaw with no mayo? This vinegar coleslaw recipe uses classic ingredients like red cabbage and shredded carrots, but paired with a mayo-free vinaigrette. For the coleslaw dressing recipe, shake together cider vinegar, salad oil, dry mustard, and caraway seeds, then let all the veggies marinate for a few hours before digging in.

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Red Cabbage and Radicchio Slaw

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Sweet, juicy, and with a little bit of bite–this easy coleslaw recipe combines a ton of fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Red onion, radicchio, red cabbage, and pomegranate arils make for a beautiful purple salad that tastes even better than it looks. The recipe makes six servings, but it's easy to double or even triple if you're planning to feed a crowd.

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Peanutty Noodle Slaw

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Just add peanut-sauced chicken and this Asian coleslaw recipe can turn into a main dish. A creamy peanut butter and ginger sesame dressing coats shredded cabbage, crispy ramen noodles, and sesame seeds. Just before serving, top with peanuts for a little more crunch.

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Waka Waka Salad

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16 Tangy Coleslaw Recipes That Are Great for Picnics and Potlucks (10)

Call it a salad, call it slaw–no matter what name it goes by, this easy coleslaw recipe is utterly delicious. A combo of Napa cabbage, red cabbage, shredded carrots, and red onions make up the veggie base of this tasty side. To put a new spin on classic slaw, top with Spanish peanuts and fried wontons.

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Winter Slaw with Blood Orange Vinaigrette

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This easy coleslaw recipe makes 10 servings, which is just the right amount for a holiday, picnic, or potluck. Blood oranges add juicy, bright flavor and make the slaw impossible to pass up. The recipe is already quick–it only takes 25 minutes–but you can speed it up even more with pre-shredded kale and coleslaw mix.

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Thai Pork Shredded Tacos with Sriracha Slaw

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16 Tangy Coleslaw Recipes That Are Great for Picnics and Potlucks (12)

Whether you choose to make the Thai pork tacos or not (and you definitely should!) you have to try the spicy coleslaw recipe they're paired with. Sriracha and mayo make a coleslaw dressing with kick that tastes amazing coating shredded cabbage. If you like cilantro, stir in a handful of fresh herbs to brighten the flavors even more.

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Copycat Coleslaw

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16 Tangy Coleslaw Recipes That Are Great for Picnics and Potlucks (13)

If your favorite part of a fried chicken meal is the coleslaw, this is the recipe for you! Our copycat KFC coleslaw recipe is made with green cabbage, carrots, and a sweet creamy sauce. Plan ahead as it tastes best the next day.

Delicious Copycat Recipes That Are Even Better Than the Originals

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Trisha Yearwood's Fourth of July Coleslaw

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Rather than sugar, Trisha Yearwood sweetens her coleslaw recipe with diced sweet pickles. She also adds sweet onion, mayo, and big pinch of salt. You can shred your own cabbage and carrots but a bag of coleslaw mix will work in a pinch.

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Coleslaw with a Twist

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The twist to this creamy coleslaw recipe is fresh dill and lime juice. We also added thinly sliced red peppers for flavor and crunch. Chill for at least two hours before serving.

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Asian-Style Chicken Sliders with Snow Pea Slaw

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Swap in snow peas for the cabbage in this creative coleslaw recipe. They add big crunch and sweetness. Serve this slaw on our chicken sliders or alongside your favorite grilled meat.

16 Tangy Coleslaw Recipes That Are Great for Picnics and Potlucks (2024)

FAQs

How do you make Gordon Ramsay coleslaw? ›

In a bowl mix together 2 Tbs vinegar, juice of half lemon, 3 Tbs mayonnaise, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt and pepper and mix well. Add the dressing into the cabbage and mix well. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving as a healthy side dish to your burger!

How do you make coleslaw less sour? ›

You could also add grated apple, finely diced pineapple, or even a sprinkle of sugar. Just be careful not to be too heavy-handed — a little sweetness goes a long way. Bitterness is another common problem with coleslaw. Sweeteners like honey and fresh fruit should also help to counteract even a stubborn bite.

Why is it called coleslaw and not cold slaw? ›

The term "coleslaw" arose in the 18th century as an anglicisation of the Dutch term koolsla ("kool" in Dutch sounds like "cole") meaning "cabbage salad". The "cole" part of the word ultimately derives from the Latin caulis, meaning cabbage.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing. The freshly shredded veggies give you a light yet satisfying crunch while the dressing gives you the tanginess you're looking for.

How do you reduce the bitterness in coleslaw? ›

For every 2 cups of sliced cabbage, mix it with about a teaspoon of salt. Kenji Lopez- Alt also found it was beneficial to add a teaspoon of sugar too. Both salt and sugar promote osmosis, which draws out any water from the cabbage. And the sugar can balance out some of the bitterness in the cabbage.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

Those wanting to tuck into a side of coleslaw with their KFC chicken are out of luck at the moment. The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

What makes coleslaw go bad? ›

Presence of Bacteria and Spoilage

Bacterial presence is an inevitable aspect of food spoilage. Coleslaw, especially when made with mayonnaise, provides a medium for bacteria to thrive. Proper storage conditions, such as keeping the salad refrigerated and airtight, can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

The real difference is that the raw, chopped vegetables in coleslaw are primarily cabbage: Napa, red, savoy, or bok choy. Slaw without the cole can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage, including chopped or shredded broccoli, carrots, snow peas, jicama, and more.

Is it OK to eat coleslaw every day? ›

Yes. Coleslaw can absolutely be part of a healthy eating plan as long as you choose your dressing carefully.

What does coleslaw do for your body? ›

Coleslaw is a good source of fiber that helps to promote regularity and can also help to lower cholesterol levels. Low in calories. A cup of coleslaw has only about 100 calories, making it a perfect choice for those watching their weight. An excellent source of vitamins A and C.

Why did Chick Fil A stop selling coleslaw? ›

"But as our sales volumes grew, it just wasn't feasible to keep adding to the menu without taking anything away." Chick-fil-A cut cole slaw from the menu in January to make room for a new "superfood" side of kale and broccolini in a maple vinaigrette dressing.

What ethnicity is coleslaw? ›

The dish was initially created in the Netherlands. In fact, the term coleslaw originates from the Dutch expression koosla, which means “cabbage salad.” Recipes similar to coleslaw have been found and used in American homes from as early as 1770.

What is a fancy name for slaw? ›

Slaw is shorthand for coleslaw, a side dish or salad that always includes cabbage and sometimes other shredded vegetables.

What is the dressing made of in coleslaw? ›

What is coleslaw dressing made of? Coleslaw dressing is usually mayo-based. Then you add vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. A bit of salt and pepper finishes off a classic, creamy, tangy dressing.

What recipe did Gordon Ramsay make? ›

Gordon Ramsay's best recipes include Beef Wellington, Coq au Vin, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Piccata, Rack of Lamb, Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill, Shrimp Scampi, Beef and Guinness Stew, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Beef Burgundy.

What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›

Technically, coleslaw involves cabbage, whether green, red or napa, while the category of slaws can include all kinds of chopped or shredded crunchy vegetables. The two words are used interchangeably for the most part however.

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