When I create a recipe or a dish, I like to create something that appeals to a wide audience. Sometimes though, people get stuck in one box with food. They fall back on old favorites because it’s easier than venturing out and trying something new.
I’m guilty of this. I sometimes won’t order things at a restaurant if I think a dish won’t be worth the calories and will just stick with my mundane, ordinary favorite.
That said, I’m always 100 percent in favor of trying something new, especially if it’s bright and beautiful. 
My whole philosophy for this colorful Caribbean Coleslaw (and really every dish) was to create something that tastes incredible, visually be drool-worthy and surprise and delight people with something they might not have tried before.
I love to be inspired by cultures around the world and the Caribbean culture has so many dishes that are perfect for summer and the warmer months.
This Colorful Caribbean Coleslaw is a mayo-free coleslaw that’s fruity, fresh and will taste a little decadent. It’s made with all fresh foods and ingredients and combines some of the most tropical fruits around with just a little bit of tang and sweetness.
The fact that you don’t have to turn on the oven, stove or grill to make it is also nice. Its flavors are a perfect companion on hot summer nights or for weekend barbecues.
Grab the full recipe below and make it this weekend! I served it will grilled, Jerk Chicken Skewers and Basmati Rice.
For more summer recipes, click here.
Caribbean Coleslaw
Ingredients
Slaw Ingredients
- 3 cups green cabbage
- 3 cups purple cabbage
- 2 large mangos, seeded and chopped into small cubes
- 2 large papayas, seeded and chopped into small cubes
- 1 pineapple, cored and chopped into small cubes
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 3 green onions, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Red Wine
- 1-1.5 tsp. hot sauce
- 1 tsp garlic, pureed or minced
- 1/2 a jalapeno, diced Leave seeds in or keep them out at your discretion. I always take mine out.
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients and mix thoroughly. Chill until you’re ready to use.
- Slice your cabbage into thin strips and combine together.
- Cut your mango, papaya and pineapple.
- Mix 1 ½ cups of your fruit with your cabbage and mix well. Set the other ½ of each aside.
- Just before serving, add your dressing to the coleslaw and mix.
- Sprinkle your green onion over the salad.
- Top your salad with the additional fruit, parsley and almond slices to serve. Mix again to combine and get dressing on all ingredients.
I love all of the colors in this dish! I made homemade coleslaw recently, but it was classic coleslaw. Now I want to try this one!
That looks so good! I love the flavors here, and eating lots of color is the best way to stay healthy. I can see serving this as a side for our backyard barbecues.
It looks like such a yummy summer salad, so delicious!
That looks so good! I love home-made coleslaw so will have to give your yummy recipe a try…
What a great recipe for a summer bbq, so colorful! 🙂
I love a really light meal when it’s super hot out (like it currently is in Dallas) and this looks perfect!
This looks very good! I have never had anything like this, but will be making it soon!
I really love how colorful this is! I know I would love it with some chicken on the grill as well!
This looks delicious! And the colors make it perfect for summer get together.
It looks so colorful and delicious! I can’t wait to try to make it!
I love this! Looks really good!! Love those fresh flavors!
I love this colorful salad. It looks really appetizing! Oh and those tropical fruits would make this salad really delicious. I will make this on the weekend!
Mmmm, I gotta try this recipe someday. I love how colorful it is but how nutritious it is, even the dressing.
This is beautiful. I love all the colors you put in there. Having a challenge to share a food you can’t cook would be hard but yours looks awesome!
I LOVE colorful food so this recipe has THAT going for it # 1. Secondly I adore cabbage marinated in a delicious olive oil dressing, so YUM and the second reason why I would chow this baby down too!
My coleslaw has never been colorful. The ingredients are all ones I enjoy, so I can’t wait to mix this up for the family.
I love food that’s bright and colourful. It’s so healthy too. Going to try this soon!
Love this colorful plate! So summery and fresh and delicious I guess. And the ingredients look healthy, that’t a plus.
This cole slaw looks like it would be so amazing. I definitely want to give this a try.
Ah this looks so pretty and yummy! Ill have remember this one
look so colorful and tasty! The stick meat looks amazing as well perfect for the summer
That looks amazing! I love coleslaw, especially in the summertime. Looks so good paired with that wine!
My mom used to say the more colorful the food, the better it is for you! I can’t wait to make this and try it for myself!
What a lovely salad to serve that is especially nice for outdoor dining this summer! Loving the colorful vibes and looks so delish too!
I have never been a slaw fan. But this looks to good not to try!
The colors sure do remind me of all the time I’ve spent in the Caribbean. The coleslaw is so colorful and looks fresh and tasty. This is a winner and I can’t wait to make it.
I’ve had a similar dish to this before, but I never got the recipe. It was delicious. I can’t wait to try this in my kitchen.
Now this is most definitely one colourful coleslaw recipe. I bet it tastes absolutely incredible as well. I may just have to make some for myself.
This looks so good! I love all the colors. I know my family will love this for the summer.
What a beautiful festive coleslaw recipe! I love everything about it! And I love that you’ve paired it with Woodbridge Wine. The next time I’m at the market I’ll need to pick up bottle!
This recipe looks so yummy. It would be perfect to make for my next girls night in. Looking forward to giving this a try.
This is a beautifully colorful and healthful salad! Plus, I love that it has the added heat from the jalapenos! I can’t wait to try it.
Yummm this looks so tasty! I love a good fresh salad. I must try making this.
This would be perfect for our upcoming BBQ party that we’re hosting for hubby’s birthday. I need to make it and perfect it!
This would be perfect for our upcoming cookout party that we’re having for the long weekend. Such a colorful salad!
That coleslaw looks so enticing. And I love how colorful it is. It makes my mouth water, trust me. Nom!
This is perfect for summer! I can totally see myself using this at bbqs with friends!
I love all the colors! I love having a dish to serve my vegan friends. I am going to make this over the weekend!
This recipe looks so amazing. I love that there are a variety of colors too. That is always a great thing. I will have to give your recipe a try. I do love coleslaw!
This salad is so colorful and flavorful! I should make it for dinner tonight! Looks amazingly delicious!
I’m definitely going to try this salad. Colorful food is my favorite!
I love some color and this is perfect for the summer. I put cole slaw on my hot dogs I might make this over the weekend
I love to try new recipes or twist to an old one. This cole slaw looks delicious enough for me to try this recipe!
What a pretty dish! This sounds perfect for summertime. And it’s nice to have such a healthy recipe too!
This recipe looks so good. I love all the bright colors and added ingredients. Thank you for sharing!
Oh man this looks delicious and sounds so refreshing for Summer!
This looks delicious and the colors are stunning. What a great summer dish. Perfect for nights on the patio.
Looks like a good recipe to try, and it’s beautiful too perfect for summer.
I’m loving how colorful this dish is. Perfect Caribbean coleslaw recipe for the summer events.
My friend made this when she had us over for dinner recently! It was outstanding. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It tastes so refreshing! Love it!