Hawaiian Coleslaw
This take on tropical coleslaw uses no mayo. Rather, we're using a vinegar-based dressing and bright fruit to create a coleslaw that is as bright colorful as the Hawaiian Islands themselves.
I miss a lot of things about spring and summer during the winter months, but one of them is eating outside. Tim and I love to pack up dinner and go on a bike ride or hike.
It's a perfectly relaxing end to the day.
And then, there are the family picnics. The loud and boisterous pot luck cook outs where people always seem to be in the best of spirits because they are outdoors, enjoying company, and eating some really good food.
And, if your family's anything like mine, there's always ample coleslaw.
Our Lightened Up Hawaiian Style Coleslaw Recipe
We're bringing a twist to the classic coleslaw today with this tropical coleslaw.
While many traditional "Hawaiian coleslaw" recipes will have a creamy, mayo-based, sauce, our version skips the mayo and comes closer to your classic vinegar slaw than the creamy version.
We're calling it Hawaiian because the bright tropical flavors were inspired by the islands!
Pineapple and Mandarin oranges give this dish sweetness, while soy sauce and a hint of liquid smoke bring the flavors of the Pacific.
Enjoy!
Hawaiian Cole Slaw
Ingredients
- 4 c cabbage, finely cut or shredded (about ¼ of a large head)
- 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
- ½ green pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, sliced and quartered
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (11oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 c pineapple chunks, roughly chopped with liquid reserved
- 1 tablespoon pineapple juice (reserved from the can, above)
- 3 teaspoon cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 dashes liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ½ c whole or slivered almonds, unsalted (for topping)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together cabbage, carrots, green peppers, onions, garlic, oranges, and pineapples.
- In a small bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, vinegar, oil, soy sauce, liquid smoke and ginger.
- Pour sauce over veggies and toss until well coated.
- Top with almonds if desired.
Sarah founded Curious in 2010 as a way to save her recipe creations and share culinary experiences. Her love for cultural cuisines was instilled early by her French Canadian Grandmother. Her experience in the kitchen and in recipe development comes from over 10 years working in professional kitchens. She has traveled extensively and enjoys bringing the flavors of her travels back to create easy-to-make recipes.
I don't have everything on the list and I'm too lazy to go shopping, but it tastes great anyway. I didn't have any bottled or canned fruit, so I chopped up some fresh pineapple and omitted the juice, and I peeled a fresh mandarin orange. I didn't have almonds, or pepper or liquid smoke, so I left those out, and I substituted some part of a leek for the onion. It came together in just a few minutes, and it's delicious 🙂
Glad you were able to make the coleslaw fit what you had in your pantry!
It's been raining so much in Vancouver lately that I haven't been able to take my puppy on walks. I can't wait for sunny summer days so that we can take her out and have picnics 'n barbecues! I've never been a big fan of coleslow but this Hawaiian version sounds amazing! I'd have no problem hogging this at a party 😉
I think this is the perfect slaw to go with grilled seafood. I could even see a fish sandwich topped with it. Yum!
That's a great idea! I'm thinking grilled salmon now 🙂
There is a restaurant here in Cape Canaveral, FL that uses a Hawaiian cole slaw on it's fish and shrimp tacos. (Soft tortilla.)
Sinfully good!!
That sounds so tasty!
Cole slaw, with pineapples and oranges. YUM! OMG! This looks like heaven!
I love all the colors in this salad. It looks so good, and the sweetness from the fruits sounds delicious. Great summertime coleslaw!
Liquid smoke in coleslaw? I've never seen anything like this! How creative. I'm sure it tastes great.
Thanks! It is an interesting twist for sure, but it adds just a hint of smoky flavor to add some depth to the bright fruit!
I'm at a loss - this sounds like possibly the best coleslaw ever invented! Saving. Trying. Soon.
Thanks Heather!
This coleslaw looks wonderful. I love the addition of almonds.
Ooh, I love the colors and flavors in this coleslaw! Yum!
Love this Hawaiian Coleslaw!! I especially love the addition of the almonds . . but they are not listed on your recipe card. . I love having different textures in my food. . yum!!
Thanks for that catch! The recipe's been updated!
What an interesting Cole Slaw! I can't wait to try this out.
Love your recipe! I'm gonna this a try! I love coleslaw!
YUM! My mom makes an amazing Asian cole slaw but we're always looking for other versions and this Hawaiian cole slaw with the oranges and pineapple sound great!
That's so cool, never heard of this before!
Interesting twist with the Hawaiian flavors! I'm always looking for coleslaw recipes so I have to try this one.