This homemade Spicy Coleslaw recipe is bold, creamy, and has just the right amount of heat. Made with cabbage, jalapenos, onions and a homemade coleslaw dressing, it's an easy scratch-made side dish that pairs perfectly with BBQ, tacos, and sandwiches.
This is one of my favorite coleslaws to make. The combination of cilantro, lime, and jalapeños works so well with the homemade dressing and the crunchy cabbage mixture. It definitely has a little bit of a kick, but it's not overwhelming, just enough to feel it. The best part is, you can totally control that heat yourself.
I also use this spicy coleslaw recipe for these Pulled Pork Sliders, which pairs perfectly with the tender meat. If you are looking for something a bit more mild for the kids or a traditional BBQ, I also have a Traditional Coleslaw recipe that is just as easy to whip up.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cabbage - I like to use a combination of both green and purple cabbage for a pop of color. A good ration is 5 cups of green cabbage to 1 cup of purple cabbage. If you prefer, all green cabbage can be used.
- Red Onion - These add a nice bite and beautiful color. You can substitute the red onions for yellow or white onions if that's what you have on hand.
- Jalapeños - Fresh jalapeños are the star here.
- Lime Juice - Fresh is best, substitute with lemon if you need to.
- Cilantro - Fresh is best for flavor and color.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Make Spicy Coleslaw
This homemade spicy coleslaw comes together with just a little bit of chopping and a quick stir. It's the perfect spicy slaw for tacos or a simple weeknight side. Here is how I pull it all together:
- In a large bowl, toss together your cabbage, onions, cilantro and chopped jalapeños.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together your mayo, lime juice, vinegar, and spices until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the coleslaw and mix well to combine.
- You can serve this up immediately or pop it in the fridge for a bit to let the flavors marry. Enjoy!
See the recipe card below for the full recipe.
👉 Sky's Tips
- Test the heat: Add 1 jalapeño first, then add more to your liking.
- Lower the spice: If you just want the jalapeño flavor without the heat, you can remove the seeds and membranes before chopping the jalapeños.
- Prepping: If prepping in advance wait to dress the coleslaw 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving to keep it from getting watery. If it does, just give it a good stir before serving.
What To Serve with Spicy Coleslaw
This versatile side dish is an excellent easy BBQ side dish that pairs perfectly with the scratch-made favorites:
Storage
Store any leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. If it sits for a day or two, you might notice some liquid at the bottom; just give it a quick stir to bring that creamy dressing back together!
Frequently Asked Questions
To prevent watery coleslaw, wait to add the dressing until about 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
Yes! You can absolutely prep the cabbage mixture and the dressing separately the day before. I recommend storing them in separate containers in the fridge and tossing them together just before you're ready to serve to keep everything as crisp as possible.
I hope you give this delicious spicy coleslaw recipe a try soon! Let me know in the comments what you like serving it with.
-Sky🩷
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📖 Recipe
Spicy Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 6 cups cabbage thinly sliced
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 2-3 large jalapeños finely chopped
- ⅔ cup mayo
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, thinly sliced red onions, cilantro and chopped jalapeños.
- In a separate bowl mix together the mayo, sugar, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, salt, pepper, and chipotle powder.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and stir well to combine. Enjoy!
Notes
- Test the heat: Add 1 jalapeño first, then add more to your liking.
- Lower the spice: If you just want the jalapeno flavor without the heat, you can remove the seeds and membranes before chopping the jalapeños.
- Prepping: If prepping in advance wait to dress the coleslaw 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving to keep it from getting watery. If it does, just give it a good stir before serving.
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