Summer Slaw Recipe (Light and Flavorful Coleslaw)
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Our summer slaw is perfectly light and flavorful with crisp cabbage and a rainbow of veggies. This is an easy recipe for no mayo coleslaw! Grab a large bowl and get ready to make the best cabbage slaw recipe!
If you’re looking for a bit of extra crunch in your meals, this is the perfect side dish. It’s not only a classic summer side dish, but it’s a must for any summer BBQ or meal.
And yes, the flavor is so good the next day as well!
Our Favorite Summer Slaw
I am so happy to share with you a favorite side dish recipe seen during Season 12 of The Biggest Loser!
This amazing Summer Slaw recipe was prepared during a cooking challenge by the Black Team.
When I saw it, I knew I wanted the recipe, and I am very excited to be sharing it with you.
Ingredient Notes
I love this no mayo coleslaw! I make a double batch of the vinegar coleslaw dressing every time, because it’s a fantastic dressing for a garden salad too.
There is just enough creaminess from the sour cream to keep it from being a vinaigrette, with the perfect tang from the vinegar, and warm nuttiness from the sesame oil. It is a home run!!!
Although this is a vinegar slaw, you can use mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to replace the small amount of sour cream in the dressing.
Tips for No Mayo Coleslaw
- Make a double batch of vinegar coleslaw dressing. Trust me, it is so good you will find plenty of other things to put it on.
- Store the dressing separate from the cabbage salad. Wait until you are ready to serve to toss the coleslaw.
This helps prevent it from becoming too soggy. I like to keep the dressing in a mason jar.
To save time, buy a bag of coleslaw mix from the store!
This is faster than cutting up a head of cabbage, and you can still enjoy all the same flavors of the original recipe without a lot of the added prep.
This is a simple tip as it’s easy to whip up in no time to take to a summer barbecue to share with family and friends.
Serving Suggestions
Vinegar based coleslaw recipes are more popular in southern parts of the U.S. So, I like to serve no mayo coleslaw with my favorite southern foods!
It tastes fabulous alongside Dr Pepper Pulled Pork with sides of baked beans, buttermilk cornbread and a Crispy Chick Fil A Chicken Sandwich!!
Can I add fresh herbs to this summer coleslaw recipe?
Absolutely! The red cabbage and green cabbage pair really well with fresh ingredients like fresh cilantro. You can also add celery seed and anything else that you want.
In addition to herbs, you can also add more bell peppers, extra red onion, or anything else that you want to add to the cabbage mixture.
You can even get this healthy coleslaw a spicy kick by adding some red pepper flakes!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Summer Salad Recipes
Summer Slaw Recipe (Light and Flavorful Coleslaw)
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 orange bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 English cucumber, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup sugar snap peas, cut on the diagonal
- 1 pint Sunburst tomatoes, sliced into halves
Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing
- 2 tablespoons sour cream , or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, sesame oil, sour cream and salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, toss the cabbages, peppers, peas, cucumber, and tomatoes.
- If serving immediately toss with dressing. Otherwise, dress the slaw salad right before serving.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published April 2012. Updated and republished August 2024
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You weren't kidding. This is gorgeous! I love all the colors and I bet Sean would especially love those flavors. Nice job!
what nice look this!!
Fantastic, healthy and delicious – full of flavor and color!
Mary x
it might be slimmer but boy does it still look delicious!
Oh I love the look of this salad! And it is so healthy and delicious!
Can you use apple cider vinegar in place of red wine vinegar an what can you use in place of the sesame oil
This is so good, and I love that there’s no mayo in it. Love having this recipe on hand during the summer.
The crisp veggies and light dressing were so refreshing! This is definitely going in my recipe rotation.
Hi Scarlett!
Glad you enjoyed our recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn