Jalapeno Coleslaw

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Love a bit of spice with your crunch? Then this jalapeno coleslaw is for you! This coleslaw with jalapenos recipe is easy to follow and simple to make. It's the ideal summer dish for carry-ins, potlucks, and outdoor family gatherings.

I've been a fan of coleslaw forever. It's one of those classic side dishes that can be eaten with just about anything. The jalapenos and the corn make a really spicy and sweet combination that you just can't ignore. And once you add in that fresh cilantro, it's literally like a party in your mouth.

This was inspired by my bell pepper salad recipe on this site, and pairs well with this amazing air fryer skirt steak.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Fresh and Crisp: The use of fresh ingredients ensures great taste and a lot of crunch.
Tangy and Sweet: The combination of oil and lime juice with a touch of sweetness balances the heat wonderfully.
Versatility: This coleslaw pairs well with a variety of dishes. It's a great side for grilled meats, fish tacos, sandwiches, pulled pork and so much more.
Easy Make-Ahead Recipe: The coleslaw should be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful side dish whenever you need it.

Ingredients

You'll find that this jalapeno coleslaw recipe takes minimal ingredients but delivers boatloads of flavor!

Package Slaw Mix: You can purchase this from the store or chop up fresh cabbage as well.
Canned Corn: Defrosted frozen corn, or fresh corn will work as well.
Pickled Jalapenos: You can use fresh jalapenos as well or instead but the pickled ones add flavor and you get to use some of the juice for this recipe, too.
Red Pepper: Green, orange or yellow peppers will work great too!
Red Onion: Use white or yellow onions instead.
Cilantro: Use fresh parsley, basil or dill if preferred.
Lime Juice: Use lemon juice instead.
Queso Fresco: Use feta, cotija cheese, ricotta salata or queso blanco as a substitute.
Olive Oil: Use your favorite vegetable oil instead or grapeseed oil.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this spiced coleslaw recipe.

Add Seeds: Use hemp, chia, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts.
Add Vegetables: Dice celery, cucumber, green onions, scallions, zucchini noodles, radish, or pickled vegetables as well.
Add Fruits: Add chopped mandarin oranges, grapes or pineapple.

How to make Spicy Coleslaw

While this coleslaw recipe looks hard, I can promise you it's not! Just a few simple steps and you're done.

All of the coleslaw ingredients in a bowl.

Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the slaw, corn, jalapenos, red pepper, onion, and cilantro.

In a small bowl, combine the lime juice and olive oil. Pour over the slaw and toss to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Hint: Be prepared to double up liquid or dressing if you're adding lots of extra ingredients to your coleslaw so every piece has a little dressing on it.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our classic pasta salad, Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad, and our Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days for best results.

Make Ahead: Coleslaw is one of those recipes that gets better the longer it marinates. So if you can make this dish a few hours ahead of time or even the day before, it's going to have so much more flavor and taste!

What to Serve with

It's great as it stands and is delicious on fish tacos, amazing on pulled pork and makes a super crunchy topping for burgers as well.

Tips

Allow the coleslaw to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving so flavors meld and coleslaw becomes more flavorful.
You will need to add more liquid or dressing if you're adding lots of other ingredients. Double up dressing and add a little more at a time until coated.
Shred or slice the vegetables as thinly as possible for best texture and will absorb the dressing better.

FAQ

Do you have questions about jalapeno coleslaw? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about it.

What are the differences between red and green cabbage?

Red cabbage has a denser bulb, a stronger, earthier flavor and green cabbage tends to be a bit sweeter.

What is the best way to shred cabbage?

If you're not going to buy cabbage mix that is already cut for you, the next best thing is to shred the cabbage yourself. Once you've cleaned the head of cabbage and removed the core, you can thinly slice it using a knife, box grater, food processor or mandolin.

What is the difference between fresh jalapenos and pickled jalapenos?

Fresh jalapenos are raw. They haven't been cooked, deseeded, or cleaned. They're typically hotter, have a nice crunch and are a bright green color as well. Pickled jalapenos are pickled with vinegar and other spices, are less spicy and less crunchy.

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