Pineapple Coconut Coleslaw (No-Mayo)

Pineapple slaw with just seven simple ingredients most of us already have at home. This fresh, light, and healthy coleslaw will be the star at any barbecue. Serve it with some Grilled Pineapple Barbecue Chicken or Grilled Asian Pork Tenderloin.

Slaw is one of my favorite side dishes but finding a delicious slaw that doesn't use mayonnaise can be tricky. This one uses a combination of coconut milk and pineapple juice for the dressing, which couldn't be more delicious. The coconut milk adds a delicious nuttiness and the pineapple adds a sweetness that pairs perfectly with the crunchy cabbage. Seriously yummy.

In fact, at a barbecue this past weekend, it was the first thing to disappear. Before the burgers, before the cookies, the coleslaw went first. I would say that's a win.  In terms of serving this slaw, it's great as a side dish for grilled chicken or pork. I also love it as a topping for fish tacos. And sometimes I serve up a giant double or triple portion and throw some protein on top for a complete meal.

What to Serve with Pineapple Coleslaw

This is one of those dishes that you will want to serve with everything once you start to make it. The sweetness of the pineapple and delicious coconut flavor work with so many different dishes. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• This slaw works so well with tacos. Consider trying it with these spicy Ancho Fish Tacos, yummy Shrimp Tacos, or Grilled Chicken Tacos. For a Whole30 friendly option, serve the tacos in lettuce wraps or jicama shells.
• Consider using this pineapple slaw as a topping for your favorite grilled protein. It works great on a grilled chicken, pork, steak, fish, and even tofu. 
• For a quick meal, throw some shrimp in a pan with blackening season and olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side and dinner is served. 
• Use this to turn simple grilled sausages, burgers, and veggie burgers into a standout sandwich. Make it extra special by grilling the pineapple as well.

Recipe Ideas for Pineapple Coconut Slaw

This easy slaw can be customized in so many different ways. Play around with the veggies, add crunch, make it spicy, or add protein.

• Make the slaw more colorful by using half green cabbage and half red cabbage. This adds not only color, but also kicks up the nutritional value. You could also throw in some chopped kale. Just massage the kale with a bit of oil before adding it so it is nice and soft.
• Add some protein with edamame, chickpeas, or some chopped chicken. You can also try adding healthy fats with a chopped avocado.
• Add crunch with chopped cashews, peanuts, or almonds. 
• For something different, add some chopped nori on top. It adds some saltiness and crunch. 
• Try adding a few chopped jalapenos for some heat in the salad.
• For a salty element, add a touch of soy sauce or coconut aminos to the dressing.
• Add some lime juice to the mix add a sour element. This is a great swap for the apple cider vinegar.
• If you miss the creamy element, you can add a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
• If you are serving this with something on the grill, consider grilling your pineapple before adding it to the slaw. This adds this delicious smoky element to the coleslaw and the pineapple gets even sweeter on the grill.
• Another delicious addition to this salad is some grilled summer corn. Cut it off the cob and toss it right into the slaw.
• Try this dish using a different fruit - chopped mango and some mango juice is a really tasty option.

How long will coleslaw last in the fridge?

Coleslaw will last in the fridge between 3-5 days, but it will wilt a little bit more each day. If you know you won't be serving it for a few days, pack the dressing and pineapple separately so that everything stays fresh and crunchy.

How do you keep coleslaw from being watery?

One of the most common complaints about coleslaw is the fact that it can get watery. You can blame the cabbage for that. However, there is an easy way to combat this problem.

Start by placing your cabbage in a colander. Sprinkle it with some salt, you will only need a teaspoon for each pound of cabbage. Toss it with your hands and let it sit in the colander for about an hour. During this time, the salt will pull out some of the water from the cabbage.  Then pat it dry with a towel.