15-Minute Creamy Pineapple Coleslaw with Cilantro
Bright, tropical coleslaw combining shredded red cabbage with fresh pineapple, cilantro, and a tangy yogurt-lime dressing. The creamy base balances the fruit's sweetness and the cabbage's crunch, while fresh herbs add complexity. Serve as a refreshing side dish at summer barbecues, picnics, or alongside grilled fish and tacos. This version skips heavy mayo for a lighter, probiotic-rich yogurt dressing that keeps the dish feeling fresh and modern.
Ingredients
- 3 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 ½ cup pineapple, diced
- ¼ cup red onions, minced
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoon lime juice, fresh
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Toss cabbage, pineapple, red onions, and cilantro together in a medium bowl.
- 2
Whisk yogurt, lime juice, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until combined.
- 3
Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- 4
Top with fresh parsley.
- 5
Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 3 days.
Tips
Prepare components ahead but dress only 1-2 hours before serving to keep cabbage crisp and prevent excess liquid accumulation.
Swap fresh pineapple for canned (drained well) in winter or when fresh isn't available without affecting flavor significantly.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container up to 3 days. Cabbage softens and excess liquid pools after 2 days; drain before serving.
Shred cabbage, dice pineapple, and mince onions up to 1 day ahead in separate containers. Make dressing up to 4 hours ahead. Combine 1-2 hours before serving.
Serve chilled as a side dish alongside grilled fish, pork, or chicken. Works well at summer cookouts, picnics, potlucks, and as a taco topping.
Common Mistakes
Do not dress more than 2 hours ahead to avoid mushy cabbage and excess liquid.
Do not skip draining canned pineapple to prevent a watery coleslaw.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this ahead for a party?
Prepare all components separately up to 1 day ahead. Combine and dress 1-2 hours before serving for best texture. Undressed coleslaw keeps 2 days refrigerated.
What if I don't have fresh pineapple?
Use canned pineapple chunks, drained thoroughly, or frozen pineapple (thawed and drained). Fresh mango works as a substitute with similar sweetness and texture.
Can I freeze this coleslaw?
Not recommended. Freezing damages cabbage cell structure, resulting in mushy texture upon thawing. Best served fresh or refrigerated within 3 days.