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Summer Slaw

Jul 1, 2023 · 5 Comments

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Collage with a silicone spoon picking up a scoop of summer slaw on top, a large glass bowl full of the same slaw on bottom, and the words "summer slaw" in the center.

This Summer Slaw takes our family favorite southern coleslaw recipe and adds fresh summer vegetables, including cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and green onions, and tosses it in a creamy, tangy dressing. Easy to make and a perfect summer side!

Summer slaw in a large glass bowl with a bunch of fresh parsley and linen napkin behind,

Summer Slaw

This summer slaw is creamy and tangy and packed with fresh vegetables such as shredded cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, and green onions, all tossed in a homemade creamy dressing.

It's quick and easy to whip up, and it makes a perfect summer side for grilling and picnics. Serve it with burgers and hot dogs, pulled pork, sloppy joes, grilled chicken, smoked brisket or so much more!

What is the Difference Between Summer Slaw and Coleslaw?

This summer slaw recipe is pretty close to our family favorite coleslaw (passed down from my husband's great grandma!). The main difference is that this one features some fresh summer favorite vegetables, like cherry tomatoes and green onions.

Overhead view of summer slaw next to fresh parsley and a linen napkin.

What Makes Slaw Different than a Salad?

Slaw is a type of salad featuring raw vegetables tossed in some sort of dressing. What usually classifies a salad as a slaw is the fine shredding of the vegetable, such as cabbage, carrots, or broccoli.

This summer slaw features shredded cabbage and carrots, like a classic coleslaw.

Summer Slaw Variations

I love this summer slaw recipe as written, but here are some ideas to add variety or make it your own.

  • Fresh Veggies - If you have some extra veggies from your garden or in your fridge, go ahead and chop them up and throw them in. Adding stronger flavored vegetables like bell peppers will alter the orginal flavor significantly. Lighter flavored vegetables such as zucchini or radishes can be added without changing the flavor much.
  • Broccoli Slaw- use half shredded cabbage and half broccoli slaw (shredded broccoli).
  • Olive oil - You can use plain extra virgin olive oil instead of mayo. A high quality (low bitter) olive oil will work best. My favorite olive oil is Garcia de la Cruz premium because it has no bitterness and features a full fruity flavor and beautiful rich color.
  • Yogurt - you can also use plain yogurt instead of sour cream.
  • Fresh Herbs - add garden fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, or oregano for some added color and flavor.
  • Nuts or Seeds- Sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, chopped walnuts, chopped cashews, or chopped pecans all make delicious additons to this summer slaw.
  • Beans- Adding beans, such as white, cannelini, pinto, kidney, or black beans can add extra protein and fiber to this salad making it more filling.

More Summer Salad Recipes You'll Love

  • Best Southern Potato Salad - a classic favorite potato salad with tender potatoes and hard boiled eggs in a creamy, spicy dressing.
  • Pizza Pasta Salad - Pasta salad with all of your favorite pizza toppings including pepperoni, bell peppers, and tomatoes tossed in a zesty, tangy Italian dressing.
  • Jicama Slaw - shredded jicama, cabbage, and carrots tossed with fresh cilantro in a spicy-sweet dressing.
  • Dill Pickle Pasta Salad - the ultimate tangy pasta salad tossed in a tangy dill dressing with baby dill pickles.
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad - featuring the favorite flavors in the street food favorite with the addition of fresh summer vegetables to make a refreshing salad side dish.

Summer Slaw Video

Summer slaw with a creamy tangy dressing in a glass bowl with a silicone spoon taking a scoop out.

Summer Slaw

This Summer Slaw takes our family favorite southern coleslaw recipe and adds fresh summer vegetables, including cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and green onions, and tosses it in a creamy, tangy dressing. Easy to make and a perfect summer side!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Summer Coleslaw, Summer Slaw
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 114kcal
Author: Michelle
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 5 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 medium cucumber chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes quartered
  • ½ cup shredded carrot
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced
  • ½ cup mayo
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add shredded cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, and green onions. Toss gently to combine. Set aside.
  • In a second medium mixing bowl, add remaining ingredients to make the dressing. Whisk together until smooth.
  • Pour dressing over vegetables. Fold in until dressing fully coats the slaw.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Serve cool.

Notes

  • Do I Have to Chill? No. You can eat it right away like a salad. However, chilling is recommended to allow the flavors to meld and marry. This recipe will be okay served right away, but turns out better when chilled first.
  • Make Ahead: Make this summer slaw up to 2 days ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Stir before serving to incorporate dressing.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 209mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1207IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
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Gluten Free, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Summer, Vegetarian, Veggies Summer Slaw Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. veenaazmanov says

    November 06, 2023 at 1:52 am

    I just love the combination of this Healthy and crunchy Bowl. Perfect for Dinner time. Colorful and refreshing.

    Reply
  2. Anjali says

    November 06, 2023 at 2:17 am

    This is such an easy, flavorful and tasty slaw!! We served it with burgers for dinner tonight and it was delicious!

    Reply
  3. Kechi says

    November 06, 2023 at 4:47 am

    What a pretty looking slaw! I made this last week and I added apples and my kids were all over it. Such a fun and delicious side!

    Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    November 06, 2023 at 5:33 am

    The best slaw recipe I've made. The dish is loaded with veggies so it's a great side to serve with so many meals. Even the kids gobbled this up!

    Reply
  5. Dannii says

    November 06, 2023 at 5:57 am

    The flavours in this slaw were amazing. We had it on a burger and it was incredible.

    Reply

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Hello! I'm Michelle!
I'm a comfort food lover and self-taught cook with five amazing kids and a firefighter husband, surviving mostly on coffee. I love to create easy and delicious family recipes, and share creative family tips I've learned along the way.
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