• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • ALL RECIPES
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Pumpkin Recipes
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Self Proclaimed Foodie
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT ME
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Purple Cabbage Citrus Coleslaw

    Published: January 24, 2020 · Updated: December 5, 2020 · By: Krissy · 7 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This light and fresh Purple Cabbage Citrus Slaw made without mayonnaise is is a delicious and vibrant coleslaw perfect for topping pulled pork sandwiches!

    There are a few tricks to get the cabbages shredded really fine. Much of the liquid from the cabbage is released prior to tossing in the lemon vinaigrette, making this coleslaw perfect

    pile of purple coleslaw with a no mayo dressing on white plate

    Why I prefer purple cabbage:

    I just thought this head of cabbage was stunning.  Only nature could provide such an amazing thing as a head of cabbage.  I'm being totally serious.

    Have you ever cut into a head of cabbage and studied how each leaf fits perfectly with the next?  If you've ever shredded a head of cabbage, you know what I mean.  How else can a tiny little head of cabbage produce so much cole slaw?

    I also think the colors are spectacular.  Different shades of purple and green on the outside, and when you shred it, all you see is purple and white.  How does that happen?

    To me, purple cabbage, or red cabbage, is much like a red onion is to a yellow onion. Same great flavor, but much more mild and definitely more vibrant to look at.

    head of purple cabbage

    How to finely shred cabbage:

    I think cabbage tastes best when shredded (not chopped) really fine. With my Angel Hair Coleslaw made with green cabbage and a mayonnaise dressing, the finely cut cabbage perfectly absorbs the light dressing.

    • My preferred method these days to shred cabbage as thin as possible is to use a mandolin. I remove the outer leaves, quarter the head, and then shred on the thinnest setting leaving only the core (which I happily feed to my chickens).
    • You can also use a spiral cutter to shred cabbage, as well as to make things like pesto zoodles. This method can be tricky because the cabbage can fall apart.
    • Finally, you can use a food processor, but I find that only really high quality food processors can get the job done right.

    pile of shredded red cabbage on brown cutting board

    Releasing the liquid:

    The trick to this wonderful purple cabbage citrus slaw is to let it sit, coated in sugar and a bit of salt, to allow some of the liquid to extract.

    This is how you get a delicious coleslaw and not something that resembles coleslaw soup.

    top of purple cabbage slaw with lemon vinaigrette

    What to serve with this slaw:

    We served up this amazing slaw on top of the most delicious slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches, topped with my favorite whiskey BBQ sauce. Oh dear, now I'm hungry.

    pulled pork sandwich topped with purple cabbage slaw and bbq sauce

    purple coleslaw with lemon dressing

    Purple Cabbage Citrus Slaw

    This light and fresh Purple Cabbage Citrus Slaw made without mayonnaise is is a delicious and vibrant coleslaw perfect for topping pulled pork sandwiches!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Sit time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Hover to scale: 8
    Chef: Krissy Allori

    Ingredients

    • 1 head purple cabbage (outer leaves remove and finely shredded)
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 3 tablespoons lemon juice (or lime juice)
    • ½ teaspoon celery seeds
    • freshly ground pepper (to taste)

    Instructions

    • Toss cabbage with sugar and half of salt and allow to sit in colander for 1-4 hours. Discard any liquid that is created.
    • Whisk oil, lemon (or lime, if using) juice, celery seeds, remaining salt, and fresh ground pepper (if desired) in large bowl. Add cabbage and toss to coat. Chill 1 hour or up to 3 days.

    Notes

    • To finely shred the cabbage, use a mandolin, spiralizer, or food processor
    • As the cabbage sits in the sugar and salt, toss it every so often to help distribute the ingredients and release the liquid quicker
    • Coleslaw is best served, in my opinion, on the first day as it will continue to release liquid until consumed

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 610mg | Potassium: 261mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1170IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg
    SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTERSign up to have my recipes emailed to you. Free!

    This post was originally created in September 2014 and was recently updated for your reading pleasure.

    This light and fresh Purple Cabbage Citrus Slaw made without mayonnaise is the perfect healthy side dish. Its delicious and vibrant.
    « Spicy Ranch Chicken Wings
    Jalapeno Popper Chicken Flautas »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon Benton

      January 13, 2022 at 7:10 am

      This is super good and simple! I love the the cabbage is salted to release juice before hand - it's such a nice texture. Will be eating it on pork sliders tonight!! Thanks for a quick and easy recipe!

      Reply
    2. Beth

      January 28, 2020 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      We love using cabbage in a slaw or salad! The citrus on this is so good!

      Reply
    3. Jas

      January 28, 2020 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      Oil and lemon juice is my favorite salad dressing so I know I'll love this purple cabbage slaw! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    4. Taylor Kiser

      January 28, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      5 stars
      Looks so fresh and delicious! A must make for sure!!

      Reply
    5. Jayne

      January 28, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe the purple cabbage and the citrus are perfect together. I add it to my pulled pork sliders.,

      Reply
    6. Mirlene

      January 28, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is ONE RECIPE I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING. This is the type of coleslaw to add to the table at outdoor gathering.

      Reply
    7. Becca from ItsYummi.com

      September 30, 2014 at 8:11 pm

      I adore purple cabbage and just got a head of it from the organic farmer's market. I can't wait to use it for a batch of this slaw!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Krissy

    A close up of a woman

    I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make. more about me...

    SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter

    Strawberry Recipes!

    • How to Make Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
    • Old Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream
    • Classic Strawberry Shortcake
    • Strawberry Pretzel Salad {Strawberry Pretzel Dessert}
    online publications that have featured self proclaimed foodie

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Salmon Patties (Salmon Cakes)
    • Granny's Monkey Bread Recipe
    • Beef and Noodles
    • Cajun Shrimp Pasta
    • Country Sausage Gravy
    • Absolutely Perfect Filet Mignon
    • Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe
    • Granny's Classic Meatloaf Recipe

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Check Out Ten Acre Baker

    Meet Krissy

    Social

    Pinterest

    Facebook

    Instagram

    You Tube

    Sign Up for free emails

    Recipes

    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks
    • Appetizers

    Self Proclaimed Foodie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 SELF PROCLAIMED FOODIE®