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    Quick & Easy Homemade Red Cabbage Coleslaw with Sweet Corn Recipe Index

    Quick & Easy Homemade Red Cabbage Coleslaw with Sweet Corn

    Published: Aug 6, 2020 · Modified: May 17, 2021 by Nicki Sizemore · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Red cabbage and corn coleslaw in a bowl.
    Red cabbage and corn coleslaw in a bowl.

    This homemade red cabbage coleslaw recipe should be a part of your kitchen arsenal, because it will brighten up any meal. Pair it with just about anything, from tacos, to pulled pork, to fish, to veggie bowls! The slaw is quick and easy to make, and it has the BEST flavor, thanks to a few secret ingredients. [Don’t miss my VIDEO below!]

    Close up of red cabbage coleslaw in a bowl with a fork.

    Red cabbage coleslaw

    This vibrant and healthy red cabbage slaw has been a staple in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. In fact, I feature versions of it in all of my books! The sweet corn balances the bitterness of the cabbage, taking this easy slaw to new heights. You can use fresh corn straight off the cob, leftover cooked corn OR defrosted frozen corn.

    Red cabbage slaw for tacos 

    In my books I feature the red slaw with grilled skirt steak bowls (in Build-a-Bowl) and slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches (in Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker). But we also love to pile it on (or alongside) tacos, such as these carnitas and these chipotle chicken tacos, and we eat it with ribs, sloppy joes, burgers, tacos, grain bowls and more!

    Overhead close up of red cabbage slaw in a serving bowl.

    Red cabbage slaw recipe

    This is an easy, one-bowl coleslaw. Thinly sliced red cabbage gets tossed with sweet corn (again, you can use fresh, cooked or frozen corn, making this a year-round dish), along with scallions, cilantro and a 2 ingredient dressing (you can also make this slaw your own - check out the ingredient swaps below!).  

    All of the ingredients for the red cabbage coleslaw recipe arranged on a counter.

    Healthy red cabbage coleslaw

    The dressing is made with just 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice, which brightens everything up. No oil is necessary! The dressing lightly coats the slaw without weighing it down.

    Process shot showing the dressing ingredients being whisked in a bowl for the red cabbage coleslaw recipe.

    Vegan coleslaw

    You can easily make this a vegan coleslaw by using a vegan mayonnaise (such as Sir Kensignton's Vegan Mayo or Vegenaise). 

    How do you make coleslaw from scratch?

    1. Whisk mayonnaise, lime juice, salt and pepper in the bottom of a large bowl until smooth. 
    2. Add shredded red cabbage, sweet corn, scallions and cilantro. Toss to coat, and season with more salt and pepper to taste.
    All of the ingredients for the red cabbage slaw arranged in a large bowl.

    FAQ


    Can you make the coleslaw ahead?

    Yes! The coleslaw can be made up to 1 day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, and toss it again before serving.


    What do you serve with coleslaw?

    You can serve this red cabbage coleslaw with tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, sloppy joes, grain bowls, grilled meats or fish, and more!

    Close up side view of the red cabbage and corn slaw in a bowl.

    Ingredients swaps for this recipe:

    • Use green cabbage in place of red cabbage.
    • Swap out the corn for shredded carrots. 
    • Add a grated garlic clove to the dressing. 
    • Add spices, such as cumin and/or chile powder to the dressing. 
    • Add chopped jalapeño for heat.
    Cabbage and corn coleslaw in a serving bowl with a fork.

    What to serve with red cabbage slaw?

    • Slow Cooker Carnitas
    • Healthy Sloppy Joes
    • Easy Smoked Ribs
    • Chipotle Chicken Tacos
    • Easy Enchiladas
    • Steak Burrito Bowls
    • Pulled Pork
    • Find more recipes to pair with the slaw in my books: Build-a-Bowl and Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker!

    Other easy side dishes you might like:

    • Best Ever Grits
    • Cheesy Oven French Fries
    • Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Roasted Cabbage Wedges
    • Roasted Acorn Squash with Brown Butter Vinaigrette

    Watch the video!

    Get the recipe!

    Red cabbage coleslaw in a bowl with serving spoons.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Quick & Easy Red Cabbage Coleslaw with Sweet Corn & Cilantro (Vegan Option)

    This is the ultimate red cabbage coleslaw, and it’s a cinch to make! The healthy slaw gets made in one bowl using only a handful of ingredients. Sweet corn provides a pop of sweetness, taking the slaw over the top. You can use fresh sweet corn straight off the cob (you’ll need 1 large cob), leftover cooked corn, OR defrosted frozen corn, making this a year-round recipe. Serve the slaw with carnitas, ribs, burgers, tacos, grain bowls and more! For a vegan version, use a vegan mayonnaise (check out some other ingredient swaps below). Feel free to double the recipe for a crowd!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: red cabbage coleslaw, red cabbage coleslaw recipe, red cabbage slaw recipe
    Servings: 4 -6 people
    Author: Nicki Sizemore

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ medium head red cabbage, very thinly sliced
    • 1 cup fresh or frozen sweet corn kernels, defrosted if frozen
    • 1 scallion, thinly sliced
    • ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise and lime juice, and season with salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth. Add the cabbage, sweet corn, scallions and cilantro.
    • Toss everything together to coat in the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Notes

    Do Ahead: The slaw can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.
    Notes: This recipe is adapted from my books, Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker (Storey Publishing, 2019), Build-a-Bowl (Storey Publishing, 2018), and The Food Processor Family Cookbook (Sonoma Press 2016).
    Ingredient Swaps:
    • Use green cabbage in place of red cabbage.
    • Swap out the corn for shredded carrots. 
    • Add a grated garlic clove to the dressing. 
    • Add spices, such as cumin and/or chile powder to the dressing. 
    • Add chopped jalapeño for heat.

    I'd love to answer any of your questions and see what you're cooking!! Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest, and be sure to tag @fromscratchfast so that I can share your creations!

    *This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you or supporting From Scratch Fast!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Evy says

      March 25, 2023 at 12:08 pm

      Wao, I made this salad yesterday and it turned out delicious. Everybody was wondering who made the salad. So now I'm sharing this recipe. Thank you so much.

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        March 25, 2023 at 1:56 pm

        I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed!!

        Reply
    2. SP says

      August 07, 2022 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      This simple yet surprising refreshing salad will be our new summer favorite. I grilled the corn and added the warm kernels—yummy.
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        August 07, 2022 at 11:12 am

        I’m so glad to hear!!

        Reply
    3. Sherri says

      June 19, 2022 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea and a marvelous accompanied side dish for as you stated, any main dish@

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        June 20, 2022 at 8:31 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed!

        Reply

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    Meet Nicki

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    Welcome! I’m Nicki Sizemore, a trained chef, recipe developer and cookbook author. My mission is to help you make wholesome & delicious food from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen. All of my recipes are naturally gluten-free.

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