This Whole30 Zesty Purple Cabbage Slaw is an excellent side for roast meats—try it with my Mojo Roast Pork Shoulder—or with grilled dishes. It keeps well and actually benefits from resting: prepare it a day ahead so the flavors meld and the cabbage softens slightly in the refrigerator.
This recipe is intentionally simple—just combine the ingredients and toss. Slaw should make life easier, leaving you time for other kitchen tasks like seasoning your cast-iron skillet or sharpening knives.
A Japanese mandoline makes shredding cabbage quick and consistent, producing the fine texture that works best in this slaw. If you have one, use it; if not, a very sharp chef’s knife will do, though slicing by hand requires a bit more effort.
If you aren’t following Whole30, a small drizzle of honey in the vinaigrette will help balance the cabbage’s natural bitterness. I personally enjoy the bright, tart profile of this vinegar-based slaw—it’s a refreshing alternative to mayonnaise-based coleslaws and helps cut through the richness of fatty meats like roast pork.
The ingredient list below makes enough for half a large cabbage. You can easily double everything to use a whole cabbage if you’d like more—leftovers hold up well.
Give it a try and share your thoughts in the comments!
Cheers,
Ronny
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Whole30 Zesty Purple Cabbage Slaw
Ingredients
- ½ purple cabbage — finely shredded (mandoline recommended)
- ½ cup red onion — finely minced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro — finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño — deseeded and finely chopped
- ¼ cup toasted almonds — roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- zest of one lime
- juice of ½ lime
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Whisk together the orange juice, lime juice and zest, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper until combined. Set the dressing aside.
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In a large bowl, combine the shredded purple cabbage, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour so the flavors meld and the cabbage softens. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
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Just before serving, sprinkle with the chopped toasted almonds for a crunchy finish.