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    Home » Salads » Spicy Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing

    Spicy Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing

    Published: Mar 30, 2016 · Modified: Apr 15, 2024 by Linda Baker · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Get ready to elevate your coleslaw game with a fiery twist! Introducing my recipe for Spicy Coleslaw with easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing – it's a flavor explosion that'll leave you craving more!

    Serving some Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing from a glass bowl with a fork and spoon.

    Why you will love this Spicy Sriracha Coleslaw Recipe

    1. Bold Flavor: Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a zesty explosion of flavors. The combination of spicy Sriracha and crisp coleslaw veggies creates a mouthwatering sensation that's impossible to resist.
    2. Quick and Easy: This simple Spicy Coleslaw with Homemade Sriracha Dressing recipe is a breeze to whip up, perfect whenever you need a quick and delicious side dish.
    3. Versatile: Whether you're firing up the grill for barbecue night or serving up some tacos, this spicy coleslaw with easy Sriracha dressing is the ultimate companion. Its versatility makes it a winning addition to any meal!
    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this Spicy Sriracha Coleslaw Recipe
    • Ingredient List and Substitutions
    • Easy Variations
    • Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Lindy's Tips:
    • FAQ's
    • Storage
    • What to Serve with Spicy Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing?
    • Spicy Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing - Recipe Card

    How Spicy Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing Came to Be

    I decided on fish for dinner and headed to the market to scout out options. While the choices were limited, I stumbled upon some gorgeous true cod fillets that sparked inspiration for a classic dish: fish and chips. I pondered what to serve alongside, coleslaw seemed like the perfect complement.

    However, I wasn't content with the usual coleslaw fare. I wanted to inject some excitement into the dish, so I brainstormed adding a dash of sriracha to the dressing for a spicy twist.

    And spicy it was.

    I began by incorporating two tablespoons of sriracha into the dressing, but let me tell you, it brought some serious heat! If you prefer a milder kick, I suggest starting with just one tablespoon and adjusting to your taste. After a bit of trial and error, I've discovered that for me, the perfect balance comes at around 1 ½ tablespoons.

    So when I say "or to taste" I mean your taste and your family.

    Ingredient List and Substitutions

    The ingredients for Coleslaw with Spicy Sriacha dressing.

    For the Spicy Sriracha Dressing

    1. Mayonnaise - You can use full-fat, non-fat, low-fat, or even homemade.
    2. Buttermilk - I always use 2% but 1% is fine as well. If you don't have buttermilk, you can use plain yogurt, again, full-fat, low-fat, or skim, mixed with a bit of water.
    3. Sriracha - Sriracha or its equivalent. Can be found in most groceries or online.
    4. Vinegar - Apple cider preferred, however, you could use rice wine vinegar.
    5. Sugar - Regular granulated or use a sugar substitute such as Splenda™.

    For the Coleslaw

    1. Cabbage - Green, green, and red, freshly sliced or bagged.
    2. Carrot - Orange, multi-colored
    3. Bell pepper - Use a variety of colors, red, orange, and yellow for interest. Do not use green as it is too vegetative in flavor.
    4. Cilantro - Omit if you are not a fan.

    Easy Variations

    • Add some julienned apple, or diced fresh pineapple for extra sweetness.
    • Add some thinly sliced jalapeno peppers for added heat.
    • Add thinly sliced cucumber.
    • Add chopped roasted salted peanuts or cashews.
    A bowl of coleslaw with spicy dressing.

    Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

    This Spicy Sriracha Coleslaw recipe is so easy it doesn't really need step-by-step instructions, but I will share with you some of my tips after a very basic instructions section.

    1. Place all the dressing ingredients into a bowl, mix well.
    2. To that add the shredded cabbage, julienned carrot, pepper slices, and cilantro leaves.
    3. Toss with hands, fork and spoon, or salad hands.
    4. Allow to sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so to allow the flavors to blend.
    5. Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve.
    An overview of a red bell pepper..

    Lindy's Tips:

    How to easily slice the peppers: Isn't it fascinating how peppers naturally form into neat sections as they grow? Simply slice around the edges, from top to bottom, and you'll have ideal portions to thinly incorporate into your salad. When slicing, slice from the softer flesh on the inside and work your way out towards the tougher skin.

    For the best flavor and sweetness, opt for vibrant colors like red, yellow, or orange peppers. Avoid using green peppers, as their flavor can overpower the dish.

    Best way to Julienne a carrot: A julienne peeler makes quick work of julienning a carrot. Use the blade side to first peel, then flip to use the micro-serrated blade to make thin strips. I usually do a half carrot at a time so the carrot pieces remain short.

    Methods for Shredding Cabbage: If not using bagged cabbage, the easiest way to thinly slice cabbage is to use a mandolin. CAUTION: A mandolin is VERY sharp. I recommend you use caution as well as a cut-resistant glove. The plastic guard is useful for many vegetables, but trying to slice cabbage using it is very difficult, so use the glove and be sure to keep your fingers out of the way of the blade. OR: Using a sharp Chef's Knife, slice the cabbage thinly.

    Regardless of the technique you choose, begin by halving the cabbage through the core, then quarter it. Remove the core, and proceed to thinly slice the cabbage crosswise.

    A bowl of spicy sriracha coleslaw.

    FAQ's

    What is Sriracha sauce?

    Sriracha sauce comes from Thailand. Packed with chili, sugar, salt, garlic, and vinegar, it's a flavor bomb that hits you with a kick of spice, a tang of sourness, a hint of sweetness, and a dash of saltiness.
    In North America, Sriracha gained its fame thanks to Huy Fong Foods, a California-based company. David Tran, is a Chinese-Vietnamese immigrant who set foot in the US in the '80s. Disappointed with the lackluster hot sauces on offer in Los Angeles, Tran decided to take matters into his own hands. And boy, did he succeed! Today, Huy Fong pumps out over 20 million bottles annually, each one sporting that iconic green lid and rooster logo.

    What can I use in place of Sriracha?

    While Huy Fong Foods is the most known brand, there are other brands and substitutions for sriracha, such as Mayde J-Lek Sriarcha made in Thailand and available in some Asian markets and online. For more substitutions, check out this article.

    Storage


    To keep your leftover coleslaw fresh, store it tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just a heads up: after a couple of days, the cabbage might get quite soft. This won't change the flavor, but it will impact the texture.

    What to Serve with Spicy Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing?

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    Serving some Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing from a glass bowl with a fork and spoon.

    Spicy Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing - Recipe Card

    LindySez
    Wanting to kick things up a bit from the regular coleslaw routine, I came up with this spicy Coleslaw with Easy Homemade Sriracha Dressing – yep, a definite kick
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Additional Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Other sides, Salads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 76 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Mandoline
    • Julienne Peeler
    • Chefs Knife
    • Salad Hands optional

    Ingredients
      

    • For the Dressing
    • ⅓ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons buttermilk
    • 1 - 2 tablespoons sriracha some like it hot!
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • Salt and freshly ground pepper
    • For the Rest
    • ½ head about 6 cups green cabbage thinly sliced (or 1 package prepared slaw mix)
    • 1 carrot julienned (I used my julienne peeler)
    • ¾ red orange, or yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced (I used a bit of each for added color)
    • ¼ cup cilantro leave omit if you are not a fan of cilantro

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients, taste and adjust for heat, then add the salad ingredients and toss until well combined.

    Notes

    Best if left to sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so to allow the flavors to blend,

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 servingCalories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 265mgFiber: 2g
    Keyword side dish, spicy coleslaw
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Randy Brittell says

      April 23, 2016 at 11:05 am

      Wow LindySez, my kitchen is going to enjoy this recipe!! Thanks for sharing this with us!

      Reply
      • LindySez says

        April 23, 2016 at 11:18 am

        I hope you do! Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!

        Reply
    2. Rosemary says

      April 22, 2016 at 5:31 pm

      Can you use something other than the buttermilk. To buy a quart of buttermilk and use only two tablespoons seems like a waste.

      Reply
      • LindySez says

        April 23, 2016 at 9:15 am

        Hi Rosemary...For me, I always have buttermilk in the house as I use it for corn muffins, buttermilk pancakes and biscuits. If it's not a staple for you - you could make "fake" buttermilk by putting a bit of lemon juice or vinegar in regular milk to make it curdle, or you could thin out some yogurt. Either of those will work and give the "tang" of the buttermilk. Cheers

        Reply
    3. Rach's Recipes says

      April 12, 2016 at 10:51 pm

      Ah this was really good! I added some fresh cilantro too - extra aromatic. I put some of these in a burger bun - so delicious!

      Reply
      • LindySez says

        April 13, 2016 at 9:05 am

        So glad you liked it, and thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, on a burger or try on a fish taco! Cheers ~ Lindy

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lindy.

    Welcome to LindySez! I'm Lindy, a self-taught home chef with a passion for helping others feel confident in the kitchen. I believe cooking should be approachable, fun, and above all, delicious!

    My mission is to guide anyone—whether you grew up on fast food or rarely cooked at home—to create amazing meals with ease. Through simple recipes and practical tips, I’ll show you how to turn everyday ingredients into flavorful dishes.

    Cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating—let’s make it enjoyable together!

    More about me →

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