Name: Tropical Cole Slaw with Passion Fruit Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Latin
Ingredients: 4 cups shredded napa cabbage (see notes); 1/2 cup shredded carrots; 3 scallions, chopped; 1-2 Fresno chiles, sliced thin or minced; 1/2 to 1 cup cilantro, chopped; Toasted pepitas and chopped cilantro to garnish; 1/4 cup frozen passion fruit pulp; juice of 1 lime; 1 tablespoons white vinegar (white wine or champagne); 1 teaspoons agave nectar; 1 tablespoon olive oil mayonnaise; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)

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Healthy Mexican Coleslaw with Passion Fruit Dressing is not your grandmother's coleslaw... This one features napa cabbage, shredded carrots, thin-sliced Fresno pepper, cilantro, and scallions in a zesty passion fruit dressing. Enjoy on its own as a side dish, on Tostones with Shrimp, Avocado, and Passion Fruit Slaw, or as a topping on your favorite tacos!

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A round white ceramic bowl with Healthy Mexican Coleslaw with Passion Fruit Dressing on a light background with an aqua and white napkin and salad servers.

Coleslaw has lost its way. Relegated to a side dish, it is an afterthought and frequently forgotten until the very last moment of picnic, barbecue or beach blanket prep.

About Coleslaw

Coleslaw has a history dating back centuries, although I would submit it isn't a stellar history. Given that a required ingredient in traditional coleslaw recipes is mayonnaise, and mayonnaise originated in the 18th century, coleslaw has made an appearance on our tables for over 250 years.

My memories of coleslaw are completely underwhelming - the tub of grocery store vinegar and mayonnaise laden glop that is either too sweet or completely lacking flavor. Don't even get me started on the texture... In all likelihood, someone picked it up on the way to the church potluck. LOL.

Let me ask you a question: Do you love it or tolerate it? Do you ever wish the restaurant offered a (completely) different side?

Coleslaw doesn't have to be dripping and soggy from sitting in too much dressing, and it doesn't benefit from age. That bowl of fresh veggies need to be dressed at the very last moment! If you're taking it to a potluck, take the dressing in a separate container, and toss just prior to serving.

What Makes a Good Coleslaw?

REALLY. FRESH. PRODUCE. And a variety of flavors and textures. Cabbage on its own doesn't have a lot of flavor, but when fresh, it does have great texture. Adding shredded carrots, radicchio, chiffonade of fresh herbs, chopped scallions, etc. add much-needed flavor and texture to a bowl of coleslaw.

Next, consider the dressing. Exercise restraint is my #1 suggestion here. A lightly dressed coleslaw will stay fresh longer, and maintain its texture longer as well.

Coleslaw is a perfect vehicle for a unique and flavorful dressing like my Passion Fruit Dressing. It requires only a few pantry staples - good vinegar, olive oil mayonnaise, frozen passion fruit pulp, and agave nectar or other sweetener. It's light on calories, and is so versatile!

Healthy Mexican Coleslaw with Passion Fruit Dressing

Let's Get it Made!

All of the vegetables - cabbage, carrots, cilantro, scallions, cilantro, and Fresno chiles prepped and ready to be tossed with the Passion Fruit Dressing in a red bowl!

Make the Passion Fruit Dressing first. Simply combine all ingredients in a blender, and purée until smooth. Yes, doubling this recipe works, and you can look forward to using half of it another day. Yay! It'll keep in the fridge for a few days...

Next, you'll want to prep all the veggies. As I mention below, I am not opposed to using either pre-shredded carrots or cabbage when time is an issue. If you'll be using this as a stand alone side, broccoli slaw is another great option!

Lastly, toss the slaw ingredients with the Passion Fruit Dressing, then garnish with optional toasted pepitas, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges!

Required or Helpful Equipment

Pre-shredded cabbage and pre-shredded carrots are great time savers!
Fresno chiles are seasonal, and sometimes hard to find. Their slightly sweet heat is perfect. Substitute a red bell pepper, and add the heat with a dash of hot sauce in the dressing, or use a jalapeño or serrano.
If you're using this dish as a side, broccoli slaw is another nice option. It's a little sturdier than napa cabbage, and I wouldn't necessarily use it in tacos. I do think it would be delicious as a side. The brand at my local HEB includes carrots, simplifying the process even further.

Pairing and Using The Recipe

This Healthy Mexican Coleslow pairs well with just about any dish that you might use plain ole slaw with - brisket, roasted chicken, pork chops, and anything on the grill.

The idea for this coleslaw "with a twist" when I was working on my Tostones with Shrimp, Avocado, and Passion Fruit Slaw last month. I dressed just the shredded napa cabbage, some chopped cilantro and scallions to add a little crunchy texture and tropical flavor to the tostones. It accomplished what I set out to do, and the hubs and I decided it would make a really good stand-alone side dish!

The ultimate menu featuring recipes from Beyond Mere Sustenance (IMHO 😉) would include:

Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
Mexican Red Rice (Arroz Rojo) or Mexican Cilantro Rice
Instant Pot Vegan Borracho Beans
Healthy Mexican Coleslaw with Passion Fruit Dressing

Note: When I make both of the Instant Pot recipes, I typically make a large batch and freeze for future use.

Including Healthy Mexican Coleslaw with Passion Fruit Dressing in a taco is another excellent way to use it. Wrap some of that delicious Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork and the coleslaw in soft corn tortillas, and garnish with fresh cilantro, crumbled cotija, and a squeeze of lime. Delicioso!

Healthy Mexican Coleslaw with Passion Fruit Dressing garnished with pepitas and lime wedges in a round white bowl with white salad servers and a print napkin.

We're in the "dog days of summer," and light dishes that don't heat the kitchen up are not just appealing, they're necessary! Healthy Mexican Coleslaw with Passion Fruit Dressing is so quick, easy, gluten free, vegan, and versatile! What are you waiting for?

Signature in red and green with chiles and limes.

Yield: 4 servings

Tropical Cole Slaw with Passion Fruit Dressing

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

Passion Fruit Dressing

1/4 cup frozen passion fruit pulp
juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoons white vinegar (white wine or champagne)
1 teaspoons agave nectar
1 tablespoon olive oil mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)

Slaw Recipe

4 cups shredded napa cabbage (see notes)
1/2 cup shredded carrots
3 scallions, chopped
1-2 Fresno chiles, sliced thin or minced
1/2 to 1 cup cilantro, chopped
Toasted pepitas and chopped cilantro to garnish

Instructions

Add all dressing ingredients to a blender. Pulse until smooth.

Notes

We prefer milder napa cabbage

Comments

mjskitchen says

August 06, 2019 at 9:48 pm

I'm seeing a lot of recipes with passion fruit, something I've never worked with. Lot of inspiration on this visit to your cocina. I make a lot of coleslaws during the summer and fall. This one looks like a great one to try. And I especially love your use of Napa cabbage. Thanks!

- Tamara says
  
  August 07, 2019 at 7:32 am
  
  Thanks MJ! I love the passion fruit pulp from Goya... I keep one in my freezer. Thanks for stopping by. :-)