Coleslaw With Creamy Chili Vinaigrette Recipe

A mayo-free coleslaw spiked with just enough chili heat to cut through the creaminess.

By
Michael Harlan Turkell
Michael Harlan Turkell: Contributing Writer at Serious Eats
Michael Harlan Turkell

Michael Harlan Turkell is a once-aspiring chef and now an award-winning food pho­tographer and writer. He has photographed many prominent chefs’ cookbooks, co-authored a few, and even wrote one of his own: ACID TRIP: Travels in the Word of Vinegar (2017).

Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated Mar. 19, 2020
coleslaw
Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Puréeing fresh Fresno chili into the dressing gives this coleslaw mild heat in every bite.
  • Using a small amount of heavy cream instead of mayonnaise makes for a lighter slaw that's both creamy and bright.

This simple and refreshing coleslaw balances the sweet, floral heat of Fresno chili in a tangy and creamy vinaigrette. The most time-consuming step of the recipe—letting the coleslaw wilt after it's mixed with the dressing—is completely hands-off, giving you time to prepare the rest of your meal.

Featured Video

Recipe Facts

Active: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Serves: 4 servings

Rate & Comment

Ingredients

  • For the Chili Vinaigrette:
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Fresno chili pepper (20g), stemmed and seeded
  • 2 teaspoons (10g) sugar
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • For the Slaw:
  • 10 ounces (280g) shredded green or Savoy cabbage
  • 10 ounces (280g) shredded purple cabbage
  • 10 ounces (280g) shredded carrot

Directions

  1. For the Chili Vinaigrette: Add all ingredients except cream to the jar of a blender and blend on high until smooth, scraping down sides of blender jar as needed with a flexible spatula. Turn blender on low speed and slowly add cream to emulsify. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.

  2. For the Slaw: Combine cabbages and carrots in a large bowl. Pour chili vinaigrette over cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Let slaw sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes before serving. (I tend to like my slaw a little more wilted, so I let it sit for 30 minutes.) Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if desired. Cover slaw and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Special equipment

Blender, flexible spatula

This Recipe Appears In

More Serious Eats Recipes