This fresh Mango Cole Slaw is crisp, creamy, and bursting with tropical flavor. Made with napa cabbage, lime, and cilantro. It’s the perfect side dish for summer meals.
Sweet, juicy mango pairs beautifully with tender-crisp napa cabbage, creamy dressing, and bright citrus notes for a slaw with a tropical twist.
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Cole Slaw with Mango
Looking for the perfect addition to your summertime meal? Look no further! Mango Cole Slaw is a light creamy coleslaw with a tropical twist.
Fresh, vibrant, and packed with tropical fruit flavor, this mango coleslaw is the perfect side dish for warm-weather meals and backyard gatherings.
Serve this cabbage salad with grilled chicken, fish tacos, pulled pork, or shrimp, and add color and flavor to any meal.
Unlike traditional heavy coleslaw, this version feels light, refreshing, and fruity.
Every forkful is both sweet from bits of mango and tangy with citrus notes of lime.
The combination of fresh herbs, lime zest, and just the right amount of creaminess makes every bite pop.
Unlike the typical round dark green cabbage we are all familiar with, the Napa cabbage has long light green leaves with thick white stalks shaped similar to a head of romaine lettuce.
The tender leaves with ruffled lacey deep ridges have just the right amount of crunch with a pleasantly mild flavor and slight pepperiness making it a popular vegetable for salads.
This summer side dish recipe is quick to prepare, easy to customize, and ideal for both entertaining and weeknight dinners.
Mango Cole Slaw will compliment chicken, beef, pork and even fish.
This easy mango cole slaw recipe is great as a side dish, or served on tacos, burgers, sliders or sandwiches!
Any which way you serve it, this crunchy yet creamy and sweet yet tangy, Mango Cole Slaw will be a refreshingly delicious part of your meal on a hot summer evening.
Trust me when I say that once you try this tropical coleslaw, it’s sure to become a staple in your summer recipe rotation.
Recipe Tips
- Use ripe but firm mangoes so they hold their shape and don’t become mushy.
- Slice the napa cabbage thinly for the best texture and to help to coat evenly with the creamy dressing.
- I recommend letting the flavors to come together by chilling the slaw for about 30 minutes before serving,.
- Toss again just before serving.
Substitutions
- Mayonnaise – Substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise or replace the mayonnaise completely with Greek yogurt.
- Napa Cabbage – You can replace napa cabbage with green cabbage, red cabbage or use a prepared coleslaw mix.
- Cherry Tomatoes – For a sweeter crunch, use red bell pepper in place of cherry tomatoes.
- Lime – You can use orange or lemon instead of lime, however, both will give a different flavor profile to the coleslaw.
- Cilantro – Not a fan of cilantro? You can replace cilantro with parsley.
Variations
- For extra color and crunch, add shredded carrots.
- Stir in minced fresh jalapeño for a spicy kick.
- For extra creaminess, add chopped avocado just before serving.
- Top with grilled shrimp or chicken and turn this slaw into a meal.
Storage
- Store your fresh mango slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Give the coleslaw a stir before serving.
- If making ahead, I recommend adding the mango just before serving to maintain the best texture and color.
Ingredients
Ingredients for napa cabbage slaw
- Napa Cabbage - Napa cabbage is the tender yet crunchy base for this slaw. Its mild flavor allows the mango and lime to shine.
- Mango - Fresh mango adds a juicy, tropical flavor and natural sweetness that balances the creamy dressing and crisp vegetables.
- Cherry Tomatoes - Cherry tomatoes add a burst of color and a subtle acidity.
- Red Onion - Chopped red onion lends a mild flavor with a touch of sharpness adding a beautiful contrast to the sweet mango.
- Mayonnaise - Mayonnaise creates a creamy, rich dressing that ties all the ingredients and flavors together without making the slaw heavy.
- Cilantro - Fresh cilantro adds a fresh herb flavor and color that complements the lime and mango.
- Lime Juice and Zest - Lime juice adds tangy freshness and the lime zest intensifies the citrus flavor and aroma in the slaw.
- Kosher Salt - Kosher salt makes all the flavors pop.
Recipes with Mango
What to serve with mango cabbage slaw
Mango Cole Slaw Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded Napa cabbage
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped
- 1 large mango peeled, pitted and chopped, about 1 1/2 cups
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 6 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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Instructions
- In serving bowl combine mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest and kosher salt until blended.
- Stir in cabbage, tomatoes, mango and red onion until evenly coated.
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