This Hawaiian Coleslaw Recipe puts a sweet and savory tropical twist on the classic picnic side dish. This recipe features pineapple and can be lightened-up with Greek yogurt, this easy summer salad is definitely not your average same old Hawaiian pineapple coleslaw recipe!
Serve with Pulled Pork or Chili Lime Kabobs and enjoy!!
Why I love this Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple recipe
I love this Pineapple Coleslaw because it’s so full of flavor – it’s the perfect side dish for cookouts, backyard BBQs or pulled chicken and pulled pork sandwiches. It’s a tropical twist on a favorite summer cookout side dish, it’s sweetened with pineapple and gets an extra bit of tang from apple cider vinegar. Your fork is waiting!
Is Hawaiian coleslaw sweet or tangy in taste?
Hawaiian coleslaw is characterized by a balance of both sweet and tangy flavors. The pineapple adds a natural sweetness and a tropical touch to the dish. In addition to pineapple, other sweet components like grated carrots or a touch of sugar in the dressing can be included.
On the other hand, the tanginess in Hawaiian coleslaw is achieved through the tangy dressing. The dressing contains ingredients like mayonnaise, and apple cider vinega. The tanginess helps to balance the sweetness and provides a refreshing flavor.
The flavor profile of this Hawaiian coleslaw leans is a pleasant combination of sweet and tangy, giving it a unique tropical taste.
RELATED: Easy Creamy Coleslaw with Grapes – This easy homemade creamy coleslaw salad recipe is sweetened up with grapes and is much lighter on the dressing and is significantly tastier than store-bought because of the grapes and sunflower seeds and almonds.
What ingredients do you need to make Hawaiian Coleslaw
- Shredded red cabbage
- Shredded green cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Pineapple tidbits
- Chopped fresh cilantro
What Ingredients do you need to make Hawaiian Inspired Coleslaw Dressing
- Mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the full list of ingredients, and the printable recipe, be sure to check out the recipe card below.
How to make Hawaiian Coleslaw with Pineapple
This salad recipe is so easy to make, and it comes together quickly in four simple steps! There is a printable recipe card at the bottom with nutritional information as well. Here is a high level, quick step by step of how to make Hawaiian coleslaw:
- In a large bowl toss together the shredded red cabbage, green cabbage, carrots, pineapple tidbits, and cilantro. (Here’s a quick tip on how to shred cabbage).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving. Toss again before serving.
Make this Hawaiian Coleslaw with Pineapple recipe, then check out my Easy Creamy Coleslaw with Grapes, Layered Cobb Salad Trifle, and Easy Hawaiian Pineapple Squares and more of my Refreshing Summer Salad Recipes.
Tropical coleslaw substitution ideas
The beauty of this Hawaiian coleslaw salad recipe is that you can make it truly your own with a few simple substitutions. Here are a few ideas:
- Add mandarin oranges or diced mango to the salad mix
- Add in some finely chopped red onion
- Use a bagged coleslaw mix instead of chopping your own cabbage (saves time and effort!)
- Use greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to make a lighter version
TIP:
Soak bagged coleslaw in ice-cold salted water for 30 minutes before using. Why? Because it washes off some of that “bagged” taste and refreshes the shredded vegetables.
How to store hawaiian cole slaw
As with most salads, store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Other summer BBQ recipes to try
- Easy Creamy Coleslaw with Grapes
- Classic Waldorf Salad
- Layered Cobb Salad Trifle
- Summer Berry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
🍂 Celebrate Autumn with this easy salad!
Mixed Green Salad with Apple and Goat Cheese
This delicious green salad with apple and goat cheese is filled with flavor from apples, raisins, goat cheese, and toasted walnuts. It’s easy to make in under 30 minutes for an easy weeknight side dish your whole family will love.
MAKE THIS SALAD → Mixed Green Salad with Apple and Goat Cheese
Hawaiian Coleslaw with Pineapple Recipe
This Pineapple Coleslaw because it's so full of flavor - it's the perfect side dish for cookouts, backyard BBQs or pulled chicken and pulled pork sandwiches. It's a tropical twist on a favorite summer cookout side dish, it's sweetened with pineapple and gets an extra bit of tang from apple cider vinegar. Your fork is waiting!
Ingredients
IngredientsFor the Salad
- 3 cups shredded red cabbage
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Ingredients for the Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss together the red cabbage, green cabbage, carrots, pineapple tidbits, and cilantro.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving. Toss again before serving.
Notes
How to Store
As with most salads, store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Substitutions
See the full Hawaiian Inspired Coleslaw recipe post for tips, tricks and substitutions.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 126Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 169mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g
The provided nutrition information is an estimate and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information.
Feel free to look through the rest of my recipes and if you can’t find the recipe you’re looking for let me know and I’ll do my best to create it for you.
👋 Hello there!
I’m Janice, and I LOVE salads!! I’m also passionate about cooking EASY, healthy meals. Join me as I share healthy and easy salad recipes and my family friendly recipes!
Shar
Monday 22nd of August 2022
This has way to much vinegar, an to runny, tried to add little more brown sugar to take vinegar taste away, still not good. pineapple didnt help sour taste either. Sorry.
Janice - Salads for Lunch
Monday 22nd of August 2022
I am so sorry to hear that this recipe didn't turn out for you Shar. I will make this again to test it and let you know the adjustments and will update the recipe card accordingly. Thank you so much for letting me know.