Fun & Delicious South African Purple Cabbage Coleslaw

Raise your hand if you knew that purple cabbage is one of the healthiest veggies you can eat. I didn’t know until a few years ago, which is when I happily switched from light and bright green coleslaw to the dark side: purple cabbage coleslaw.

Just kidding about the dark side.

Don’t assume that because the color is more outrageous and exciting that the taste is going to be too crazy for traditional coleslaw. Taste-wise, I can barely tell a difference between the two – purple adds a tiny bit more peppery bitterness, but the South African touch of adding raisins adds sweetness to balance it out.

Especially once carrots and a yummy mayo dressing are in the mix, too. 

Purple Cabbage Coleslaw Ingredients

Pretty much all the same as regular coleslaw, for purple cabbage coleslaw you will need:

• Purple cabbage
• Carrots
• Mayonaise
• Apple cider vinegar (or whatever vinegar you have on hand except balsamic)
• Mustard
• A pinch of sweetener like sugar or stevia
• Salt and pepper

The optional (and South African) addition here are raisins. Green or purple, coleslaw in SA usually comes with raisins sprinkled it.

How To Make Purple Cabbage Coleslaw

Salt The Cabbage

Chop cabbage and add it to a bowl. Mix in salt and let sit for about an hour. Put the cabbage in a strainer and rinse off the water, then squeeze and pat dry.

Make The Dressing

Add apple cider vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper to a large bowl (your serving/storage bowl) and whisk. Add in mayo and mix well until combined.

Chop The Cabbage and Carrots

Grate the carrots with a cheese grater or food processor.

Assemble

Add the cabbage, carrots, and raisins (if desired) to the dressing and mix until everything is coated. 

Store in the fridge in an airtight container for about 5 days.

We love a good side around here! If you’re looking for more sides, try these:

• Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
• Sweet Potato Green Salad
• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
• Homemade Hummus
• Greek Tzatziki

Need A Main Dish For Your Slaw?

Purple cabbage coleslaw goes with many dishes you may not think of! Try our delectable plant-based crowd-pleasers, like this chickpea buddha bowl or peanut noodle salad with tofu.

View Chickpea Buddha Bowl

View Peanut Noodle Salad with Tofu

Purple Cabbage Coleslaw

This colorful purple cabbage coleslaw will make a splash at your next barbecue: it’s bright, crunchy and super delicious with sweet and tangy balanced just right. 

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Course Sides & Salads

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbs Dijon mustard
• 2-4 tbs sugar start with 2 then try dressing to see if you need more
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1.5 cup mayo
• 1 purple cabbage
• 4 medium carrots
• 1 cup raisins

Instructions

• Add apple cider vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper to a large bowl (your serving/storage bowl) and whisk. Add in mayo and mix well until combined.
• Using a knife or a food processor, finely chop the cabbage and carrots. 
• Add the cabbage, carrots, and raisins (if desired) to the dressing and mix until everything is coated.
• Store in the fridge up to 5 days.