Tangy Red Cabbage Slaw Recipe (Inspired by Cava)

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If you've fallen in love with the tangy crunch of the Cava cabbage slaw recipe like I have, well you're in for a treat because this is my take on it. It's not your average slaw--this one is bold, vibrant, and anything but boring.

And yes, I added a creamy twist to the tangy dressing with mayonnaise, because of course I did. I did write The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook, after all.

Cava cabbage slaw in a white ceramic bowl with a wooden handled slotted spoon, a stack of white plates, glasses of water, and a white cloth on the side.

As much as a feast for your eyes as it is for your stomach, this is a standout side dish for potlucks, summer dinners, or to add some freshness to a bbq plate.

(For the ultimate barbecue plate, this slaw is a fantastic addition to pulled pork with vinegar barbecue sauce or smoked chicken with white bbq sauce, a cup of Brunswick stew, a hefty portion of my Southern collard greens recipe, and a hunk of sweet potato cornbread on the side.)

With gorgeous purple cabbage, sweet carrots, fresh herbs, and a dressing that strikes just the right balance of tangy flavor and creaminess, this cabbage salad is big on crunchy texture and that just-one-more-bite appeal. It's creamy, fresh, and a whole lot of what your weeknight meals have been missing.

Ready to make it? Let's go.

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Ingredients
Step by Step Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Tasty Tip
Frequently asked questions
Related
Pairing
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Recipe Guidelines and Test Kitchen Tips
Food safety

Ingredients

Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe:

red cabbage
carrots
red bell pepper
fresh cilantro
mayonnaise
honey
apple cider vinegar
Dijon mustard
olive oil
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

(See recipe card for quantities.)

Step by Step Instructions

Now that we've got our ingredients, let's make this delicious coleslaw!

Slicing red cabbage thinly on a wooden cutting board.

First, thinly slice the cabbage and red bell pepper.

Sliced red cabbage and red bell pepper in a bowl with a carrot being grated on a box grater on a wooden cutting board.

Then, peel and grate the carrots. Chop the cilantro.

Whisking together the dressing for Cava Red Cabbage slaw in a glass bowl.

Next, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Pouring a yellow colored dressing from a glass bowl into a large bowl filled with sliced red cabbage, red bell pepper, shredded carrots, and cilantro.

Finally, combine the cabbage, bell pepper, grated carrots, and cilantro in a large serving bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Hint: As the slaw sits, the better it gets. The crisp texture of the vegetables will soften and release liquid creating the most delicious combo of flavors.

Substitutions

Want to make some ingredient swaps? Here are some suggestions:

Red cabbage - You can substitute green cabbage for the red cabbage if you prefer. Or, use a mix of both for even more vibrant color.
Mayonnaise - Instead of mayonnaise, use Greek yogurt or sour cream. Both will lend a tangier flavor to the slaw so adjust the seasonings as needed if you make the swap.
Honey - Maple syrup, agave nectar, or granulated sugar are all great options instead of honey.
Apple cider vinegar - If you're out of apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or citrus juice like lemon juice or lime juice are all excellent choices.
Dijon mustard - In a pinch, yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard works too.
Cilantro - Not a fan of cilantro? Swap it out with parsley or fresh mint.

Variations

Check out these easy ways to change up this refreshing side dish recipe:

Spicy - Give this slaw a spicy kick by stirring in a few teaspoons of sriracha or adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the homemade dressing. You can also minced up a jalapeño or serrano pepper.
Crunchy Nutty Slaw - Toss in a handful of toasted sunflower seeds, pepitas, peanuts, or slivered almonds for extra crunch.
No-Mayo Slaw - Cava's version of this coleslaw has no mayo, and it's easy to make the swap. Use all olive oil if you'd like. For creaminess you can always add yogurt or sour cream.
Vegan Slaw - Make this side dish vegan by using agave nectar instead of honey and vegan mayonnaise instead of regular.

Equipment

Here's the equipment you'll need to make this delicious cava cabbage slaw:

chef's knife
vegetable peeler
box grater
dry measuring cups
measuring spoons
whisk
small bowl
large mixing bowl

Storage

To refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If the slaw has released too much liquid after a couple of days, you can always add more veggies to it.

I don't recommend freezing this recipe. The vegetables will lose their crunch and release too much water once thawed.

Tasty Tip

Grate the carrots yourself instead of buying matchstick carrots. The pre-shredded carrots are drier and can lead to a poorly dressed slaw.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance can I make this?

This is one of those recipes where it actually tastes better after it's had some time to hang out in the fridge. Up to 24 hours ahead is ideal to allow the flavors to meld.

Is this gluten-free?

It is! All the ingredients in this coleslaw are naturally gluten-free, but to be on the safe side, check the labels to be sure.

Can I use pre-shredded cabbage and carrots?

In a pinch, yes you technically can, but shredding a whole fresh cabbage and carrots is best. Or, if you want a speedier version, grab a bag of coleslaw mix.

My slaw is really soggy. What did I do wrong?

Sometimes that happens depending on the freshness of the veggies and how long you let it hang out in the fridge. It's easy to fix though--just serve it with a slotted spoon or stir in more cabbage and carrots.

I love to meal prep. Is this something I could prep on a Sunday for the week?

Absolutely! This is a great make-ahead recipe, and like I've mentioned before--it tastes even better the next day. It's great as a side for a variety of dishes from fish tacos to grilled chicken.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this great red cabbage slaw recipe:

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