• Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact & Work With Me
  • Press
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

No Spoon Necessary

Seasonal Recipes & Unique Twists on Classic Dishes

Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw

Published May 2, 2018. Last Updated May 11, 2018 by Cheyanne

Jump to Recipe  ↓ Print Recipe  ❒

11329shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

This Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw is creamy, crunchy, easy to prepare and packed with flavor! Tangy, sweet and subtly spicy in taste, this coleslaw is far from bland or boring! It’s the perfect summer side, or salad, to add to all your cookouts and barbecues! 

Overhead shot of Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw on a white and gold trim platter with a fork and spoon tucked into the slaw and a ramekin of coleslaw sauce on the platter; with a purple linen, two glasses of beer and two small ramekins of salt and sliced jalapeños surrounding the platter.

*Updated*

This post was originally published in June 2014. I took new photos, tweaked the recipe slightly and changed some of the written post below to include more information about the recipe.

 

Hi, friends! So, I have been holding out on you guys with this blog post. And, that didn’t stop me from unfairly teasing this recipe with photographs on social media networks. I’ve been bad, I know.

So what’s been the hold up and why haven’t I shared on more than social media?

Well, I have been waiting on someone very special and near and dear to my heart. My other half, Boy.

He promised to guest post this particular blog post, and guess what? I’m STILL waiting on him to deliver. (<– Update:  Still waiting.)

After many weeks of waiting and nagging on Boy, I decided the show must go on without him.

Angled shot of coleslaw sauce being poured into a bowl containing freshly shredded cabbage, carrots, jalapeños and red onions - step 3 in the recipe to make Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw.

The procrastinating habits of my husband aside, we both have sworn for years that we hated coleslaw.

And, to be honest, I will probably still swear by that statement if I’m at someone’s house and they offer me coleslaw.

However, this coleslaw recipe I’m sharing today just happens to be that ONE exception to my ‘I don’t do coleslaw’ rule.

This slaw is just THAT dayum good.

Overhead shot of two hands holding serving spoons about to toss the vegetable ingredients with the sauce ingredients to make Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw; with a purple linen and jar of coleslaw sauce tucked in the upper corners of the shot.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

  • Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw
    • What goes with coleslaw?
    • Notes, Tips & Tricks for Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw recipe:
    • Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw & a Pulled Pork Sandwich
      • Ingredients
        • Jalapeno Coleslaw:
        • Pulled Pork Sandwich:
      • Instructions
      • Notes
      • Nutrition
      • You Might Also Like…

Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw

Crisp, shredded cabbage mixed with crunchy carrots, spicy jalapeños, pungent red onions and fresh green onions, then tossed with a slightly sweet, terrifically tangy mayonnaise based coleslaw sauce.

This slaw is fresh, fabulous and THE perfect addition to ALL your BBQ’s, summer shindigs and outdoor siorees!

To tell you exactly how phenomenally delicious this stuff is, all I have to say is this:

I made 2 POUNDS of this coleslaw in 2 DAYS and Boy ate it up like I haven’t fed him in the 8 years that we have been together. And, I didn’t dare try to stop him from gobbling it up, because if I went to take the coleslaw away, he got a crazy eyed, rabid dog look about him (there was  possibly also foaming at the mouth happening). Basically, it looked like I would NOT be taking his coleslaw away with my hand still attached to my wrist.

Remember to keep in mind, this is someone who (like me) “hates” coleslaw.

He loved it so much he actually offered to write the blog post about it! Which, clearly, he never plans on delivering.Overhead, up close shot of Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw on a white and gold trim platter with a fork and spoon tucked into the slaw and a ramekin of coleslaw sauce tucked in the corner on the platter.

 

What goes with coleslaw?

Coleslaw is such a budget friendly, versatile side dish, or salad! This crisp, sweet and spicy coleslaw is a perfect way to round out any barbecue or dinner!

You can pair coleslaw with any type of grilled protein – think ribs, chicken, pork, steak – or even fried fish! Pulled chicken or pulled pork is always a delicious option as well!

However, you don’t need to limit coleslaw to just being served as a side or salad! This Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw also makes a delicious topping for a variety of sandwiches, hamburgers or hot dogs!Angled shot of Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw on a white and gold trim platter with a fork and spoon tucked into the slaw and a ramekin of coleslaw sauce on the platter; with two small ramekins of salt and sliced jalapeños slightly blurred in the background.

Notes, Tips & Tricks for Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw recipe:

  1. While the recipe below calls for heads of green and purple cabbage, plus carrots, you can absolutely substitute a bag of pre-prepared coleslaw mix from the grocery store! While fresh produce you shred and prepare yourself will always taste the best, using a packaged bag of coleslaw mix is a great way to save time!
  2. If you like your coleslaw on the creamier, less tangy side, increase the mayonnaise to 3/4 of a cup and decrease the mustard to only 1 tablespoon.
  3. When adding the coleslaw dressing to the vegetables, start with 1/4 cup of dressing, toss and then continue to add the dressing a little bit at a time until desired level of creaminess is achieved. Chances are, you will not need all of the dressing, so it is best to err on the side of caution!

Overhead shot of a plate containing grilled chicken and Spicy & Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw with a hands holding a knife and fork over the plate; with a glass of beer and two small ramekins of salt and sliced jalapeños surrounding the plate.

Tangy, slightly spicy and balanced with the right amount of sweet, this versatile Jalapeno Coleslaw is perfect for any occasion! Fresh and flavorful, it is sure to be a hit at your next summer BBQ!

Until next time, friends, cheers – to stellar summer sides!

XOXO

Cheyanne

 

Craving MORE? Follow all the deliciousness on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

 

 

How to make Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw recipe👇

Print Recipe
5 from 16 votes

Sweet Jalapeno Coleslaw & a Pulled Pork Sandwich

This Jalapeño Coleslaw is creamy, easy and packed with flavor!  Sweet and subtly spicy, this coleslaw is far from bland or boring and is the perfect summer side!
Prep Time15 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: coleslaw, Easy, jalapeno, quick, spicy, Summer, sweet
Servings: 6
Calories: 133kcal
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Ingredients

Jalapeno Coleslaw:

  • 1/2 small Head Green Cabbage - thinly sliced (about 8 ounces)*
  • 1/2 Head Purple Cabbage - thinly sliced (about 8 ounces)*
  • 1 small Red Onion – thinly sliced, rinsed in cold water, and drained well
  • 2 small Carrots – peeled and shredded
  • 2 Jalapenos – seeded and minced
  • 2 Green Onions – thinly sliced
  • 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise or more to taste*
  • 2 TBS Spicy Brown Mustard
  • 1 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 4 tsp Granulated White Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Celery salt
  • 1/4 tsp Cumin
  • 1/8 tsp EACH: Cayenne & Black Pepper

Pulled Pork Sandwich:

  • 8 Pieces Texas Toast - Cooked (I used the Garlic & Parsley flavor, it was excellent for this sammie)
  • 10-12 Oz Pulled Pork
  • Carolina BBQ Sauce

Instructions

  • Jalapeno Coleslaw: Combine Cabbage, Carrots, Jalapeno, Red and Green Onion in a mixing bowl.
  • In a separate, small mixing bowl combine remaining (dressing) ingredients. Whisk well to combine.
  • Pour 1/4 cup of the Dressing over Cabbage mixture. Toss to combine. Add more dressing until desired level of creaminess is achieved. OPTIONAL, but recommended:  Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to incorporate.
  • Pulled Pork Sandwich: (I don't really think you guys need a written recipe for this, but I will include instructions for those of you who simply feel more comfortable with instructions.)
  • Layer in this order: Slice of Texas Toast, (4 ounces) Pulled Pork, Smear of BBQ Sauce, Coleslaw & Top with Slice of Texas Toast. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. While the recipe calls for heads of green and purple cabbage, plus carrots, you can absolutely substitute a (16 ounce) bag of pre-prepared coleslaw mix from the grocery store!  While fresh produce you shred and prepare yourself will always taste the best, using a packaged bag of coleslaw mix is a great way to save time!
  2. If you like your coleslaw on the creamier, less tangy side, increase the mayonnaise to 3/4 of a cup and decrease the mustard to only 1 tablespoon.
  3. When adding the coleslaw dressing to the vegetables, start with 1/4 cup of dressing, toss and then continue to add the dressing a little bit at a time until desired level of creaminess is achieved.  Chances are, you will not need all of the dressing, so it is best to err on the side of caution.

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 576mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2950IU | Vitamin C: 34.2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 0.8mg

©No Spoon Necessary.  All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe please do not list instructions, instead link directly back to this post.

11329shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

You Might Also Like...

  • Straight on, landscape shot of three Raspberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with fresh raspberry salsa and onion rings on wood board with a basket of onion rings and beer bottles blurred in the background.
    Raspberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
  • Overhead, landscape shot of Easy Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork on a small sheet pan with a ramekin of BBQ sauce and two forks; with two glasses of beer and a bottle cap opener off to the side of the pan.
    Easy Carolina Pulled Pork Recipe
  • Honey Mesquite Deli Turkey Meat
  • Ham & Pear Sandwich {with Arugula & Manchego}

Stay up to date

Subscribe to receive FREE New Recipe Updates:

« One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
Mango Raspberry Mimosa Recipe »

Comments

  1. Jennifer H says

    November 4, 2020 at 8:33 am

    Ok! So let me start out by saying I don’t like cole slaw, never have. This recipe changed my mind. It is so good. I put it on top of pulled pork sandwiches (your recipe as well) and it is FANTASTIC! I did use triple the amount of jalapenos because we like the heat. And left out all of the onions (personal preference) Yum yum yum!!

    Reply
    • Cheyanne says

      November 4, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      Hi Jennifer,
      Yay!! First of all, I’m so honored that you decided to try this recipe despite the fact that you don’t like coleslaw. And, I’m absolutely thrilled you enjoyed it!! I love that you added more jalapeños – I’m all for a lot of spicy heat!! Thank you for coming back and letting me know how everything went over! Cheers!

      Reply
  2. Sarah says

    October 4, 2020 at 7:40 pm

    5 stars
    I first tried this recipe months ago and have kept coming back to it over the course of the summer.. not just because I find it absolutely delicious, but because it’s the ONLY coleslaw my fiancé will eat! He was adamant about his dislike for coleslaw but I persuaded him to try this when I first made it and he scarfed it! Since that first time, he’s requested it at least six times. We made it for his parents who don’t care for mayonnaise-based coleslaw and they also loved it and asked for the recipe!! Thank you for the awesome share! (Also have made it sans celery salt since we were out, and it was just as tasty!)

    Reply
  3. JJ Attwood says

    May 25, 2020 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this as directed and also with bagged slaw. It’s delicious! I’m also trying to lower my sugar and carb intake so I have tried it with Xylitol instead of sugar and it is still amazing! This is my husband’s favorite side and one we will be taking to BBQs here in the South once things get back to normal. Great recipe, thanks!!

    Reply
    • Cheyanne says

      May 27, 2020 at 11:12 am

      Hi JJ,
      I’m so thrilled to hear you and your husband love this coleslaw!! And, I’m so happy to hear you were able to adapt the recipe to suit your dietary needs! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know how everything went over! Cheers!! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sarah says

    April 5, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    5 stars
    My partner and I haven’t been able to leave the house due to covid-19, and we needed something fresh and bright to eat with our black bean burgers. We’re vegan, but none of the vegan coleslaw recipes I Googled looked appealing. Luckily, I found your recipe and simply subbed vegan mayo and mustard! I also didn’t have purple cabbage (and not trying to wait 2 hrs to get into the grocery store to buy one) so I just doubled green cabbage, subbed pickled red onions, and skipped the celery salt. The slaw still turned out so yummy, I kept going back to the bowl to eat more. Even my partner who typically hates coleslaw absolutely loved it. Can’t wait to make this again!

    Reply
    • Cheyanne says

      April 5, 2020 at 4:33 pm

      Hi Sarah,
      I hope you and your partner are staying safe and healthy! I’m so honored you decided to try this coleslaw recipe and beyond thrilled you both enjoyed it! Your substitutions sound delicious and I’m happy to hear you were able to customize the recipe to your specific taste and needs!! Thank you for coming back and letting me know how everything went over! Cheers!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. DWC says

    January 26, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    After googling sweet and spicy coleslaw I was directed to your website and made the coleslaw…AMAZING! I am not a coleslaw fan at all but loved this. My husband likes sweet and we like spicy so this was perfect. It was a last minute decision to make so I was limited in ingredients and cut the recipe in half. I used all green cabbage, had no red or green onions and used country mustard instead of spicy but only 1T. I also increased the sugar by 1 tsp and it was fantastic! Will definitely be making it again. I am just thrilled that I was directed to your website as I see many delicious recipes that I am anxious to try. Thanks for being such a creative chef!

    Reply
  6. SK says

    August 9, 2019 at 9:51 am

    Love Sweet Spicy Coleslaw. Trying the recipe today. Thanks

    Reply
  7. Christopher A Cowan says

    July 6, 2019 at 12:04 pm

    You don’t say anything about what kind of jalapeno you’re using – fresh from the produce department, or from a can.

    Reply
    • Cheyanne says

      July 6, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      Hi Christopher,
      The recipe calls for 2 FRESH jalapenos, seeded and minced. However, if you wanted to use canned jalapenos you could. But, please note that the flavor and texture will not be the same as fresh ingredients are always better. Cheers and thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Diane says

    December 9, 2018 at 4:19 pm

    5 stars
    So fun to make and absolutely delicious! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Cheyanne Bany says

      December 9, 2018 at 4:49 pm

      Hi Diane,
      I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the coleslaw! Cheers!!

      Reply
  9. Marissa says

    May 9, 2018 at 9:19 am

    5 stars
    For the first half of my life, coleslaw was the super sweet, goopy with mayo variety – pass! But THIS coleslaw I’d gladly tuck into regularly. Perfect to pair with so many summer mains!

    Reply
  10. marcie says

    May 7, 2018 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    Coleslaw is one of my favorite things ever — I love that great crunch from the cabbage! Adding jalapeno to spice things up is genius and I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  11. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

    May 5, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    5 stars
    I’m such a coleslaw fan, Cheyanne – I glad you’ve finally seen the light because it’s fresh and crunchy and tangy – perfect for the upcoming Memorial day (how did we get to May so fast!). Pinning! Hope you’re having a great weekend!

    Reply
  12. Christina says

    May 4, 2018 at 6:33 pm

    Awesome recipe! I need tasty side dishes in my life. This is an excellent side for dinner or for a party! I bet this would kill at a potluck or BBQ in the summer!

    Reply
  13. Mary Lawrence says

    May 3, 2018 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    I’m a huge fan of coleslaw but I never ever ever made coleslaw myself. Loving the addition of jalapeños.

    Reply
  14. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

    May 3, 2018 at 8:49 am

    I’m super picky when it comes to coleslaw because it’s usually just mayonnaise soup with cabbage. And I just say no to that. But this! You’ve nailed it, Chey! It looks like the perfect ratio of dressing to veg :). I know I’ll be making this for summer BBQS!

    Reply
  15. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    May 3, 2018 at 7:52 am

    5 stars
    What a pretty coleslaw and so versatile! Loving the jalapeno kick 🙂

    Reply
  16. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    May 3, 2018 at 7:01 am

    5 stars
    Lol! We both have slaw on the brain today Chey! This looks yummy, and I totally agree it’s the perfect picnic side. And how excited is everyone that winter is over and picnic season is here! If Boy gobbled this up, I know it’s gonna be good! Can’t wait to give it a try!

    Reply
  17. [email protected]'s Recipes says

    May 3, 2018 at 1:34 am

    This is something I can eat every single day! I must try your creamy dressing.

    Reply
  18. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

    May 2, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    5 stars
    Another good one from the past – love it! I cannot say I’m a huge fan of coleslaw either. I enjoy it once in a while, but it’s unlikely I’ll make it at home. Well perhaps until today because this version sounds and looks great!

    Reply
  19. Kevin O'Leary says

    May 2, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Love, love, love coleslaw on pulled pork sandwiches! The best!

    Reply
  20. John Garner says

    April 28, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    5 stars
    Hey there Cheyanne, your slaw recipe is killer delicious! I followed it to a tee with one exception and that is the addition of crushed pineapple (one 8 oz. can). It make a yummy counterpoint to the jalapeno. Keep cooking young lady:)

    Reply
    • Cheyanne Bany says

      April 28, 2018 at 5:25 pm

      Hi John! I’m thrilled you enjoyed this slaw recipe!! The addition of pineapple sounds absolutely delicious, and I’m definitely going to have to try that next time I make this! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know how it went over! Cheers and thank you so much for stopping by!! 🙂

      Reply
  21. Theresa says

    June 9, 2014 at 8:17 am

    5 stars
    Ate & made the pulled pork & slaw last night. It was delish! A bit of work but worth it. The pork was so tender after 5 1/2 hours that we couldn’t flip it to brush with BBQ sauce but that was ok. We used Stone smoked porter with chipotle peppers as liquid in bottom of pan as we didn’t have any other type on hand. For the slaw, we left out the jalepeno pepper as I know my tongue couldn’t handle that much heat and we cut down the mayo to about 3/4 c. The sweets and sours all balanced nicely in the end. Thanks for sharing recipe – will make again!

    Reply
    • Cheyanne Bany says

      June 9, 2014 at 2:09 pm

      I love the tweaks you made! My oven seems to run overly hot some days and not so hot on others. I will have to change the recipe to give a larger window on the cook time, stating to check it sooner than I have it written. The mayonnaise mixture for the slaw is definately to taste… Jeremy likes it heavily sauced. I’ll include (or to taste) on that recipe as well. I GREATLY apprechiate your feed back. Thank you so much for not only making it but helping me tweak the recipes… so easy to overlook things! Besides my palate is NOT representative of everyones, so any feedback, advice, words of wisdome, honesty.. its all welcomed!!! Love you so much! Thanks again Aunt Tee. xoxo

      Reply
  22. Eric Linthicum says

    June 7, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    I am anxiously awaiting to read what he has to say! I am heading to the store right now with a print out of the Blackened Scallop Salad recipe in hand!

    Reply
    • C. Mitchell says

      August 16, 2017 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      I just made this with a couple of minor alterations; i used half reg. mayo & half light mayo. I had Pickled jalapenos – so used 1 of those instead of fresh.
      So far – this is hands down the best Coleslaw I’ve had. ( and I’m not a real big fan usually )
      C.M.

      Reply
      • Cheyanne Bany says

        August 16, 2017 at 4:16 pm

        Your alterations sound delicious! I am thrilled you enjoyed the coleslaw, especially since you aren’t normally a big fan!! Thank you for coming back to let me know how it went! Cheers! 🙂

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About me

Welcome to No Spoon Necessary! My name is Cheyanne - I am the blogger and girl behind the camera. I'm a culinary school graduate with a degree in culinary arts, and I have years of experience in a professional kitchen. I have a passion for seasonal ingredients and I believe anyone can create sensational food! Thank you for stopping by! I hope you stay awhile!

Stay up to date

Subscribe to receive FREE New Recipe Updates:

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search For Recipes:

What’s in Season Now – Pumpkin

Overhead, landscape photo of a bowl of Cheddar Cheese Apple Soup garnished with pumpkin seeds and crispy bacon with a blue linen, spoons and orange flowers in a vase surrounding the bowl.

The Best Cheddar Apple Soup

Overhead landscape photo of Pumpkin French Toast Casserole in a white baking dish with a neutral colored napkin, spoons and ramekin of maple syrup next to the dish.

Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

Overhead landscape photo of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins in a muffin pan with roughly chopped dark chocolate and cinnamon sugar strewn on top of the pan.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Overhead, landscape photo of Pumpkin Pie Cake topped with swirled maple cream cheese frosting on a wire rack with a ramekin of pumpkin pie spice and a neutral linen next to the cake.

Easy Pumpkin Pie Cake

More Pumpkin Recipes

Comfort Food

Overhead landscape photo of a spread out stack of soft and chewy almond sugar cookies on a white wood surface - the bottom cookies are plain while the cookies on top of the stack are covered with a cookie icing and decorative sliced almonds.

Soft Almond Sugar Cookies (Easy Drop-Style!)

Overhead, landscape photo of Baked Camembert Cheese topped with burst Cranberries; with crackers and red grapes next to the cheese.

Easy Baked Camembert Recipe

Eye of Round Roast Beef

Overhead photo of Creamed Spinach Casserole in an oval baking pan with two serving spoons tucked into the casserole exposing the creamy spinach interior; with two wine glasses and a ramekin of chopped parsley next to the dish.

Easy Creamed Spinach Casserole Recipe

See more Comfort Food

No Spoon Necessary As Seen In

Get the Latest Recipes Straight to your Inbox

Copyright © 2021 | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in