20 Recipes That Start With a Bag of Coleslaw Mix (2024)

When you buy a bag of coleslaw mix, the question isn't whether to whip up vinegar- or mayo-based slaw. The question is whether you'll make coleslaw at all. Trust us, we're very much Team Coleslaw here. (Take our hundreds of recipes as proof.) But we relish new ideas for those ever-convenient bags of shredded cabbage. From hearty stews to zippy salads, here are our favorite ways to use coleslaw mix.

01of 20

The Best Chicken Salad Ever

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20 Recipes That Start With a Bag of Coleslaw Mix (1)

When you have about 1/4 cup of coleslaw mix left, make the most of it by making The Best Chicken Salad Ever. You can't beat the crunch.

02of 20

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

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Who knew broccoli slaw mix could be the secret to stir fry? Don't let this easy recipe's 50-minute cook time discourage you from making it. A 30- to 45-minute chunk of that is the squash baking in the oven until it's tender enough to shred into spaghetti-like strands.

03of 20

Keto Beef Egg Roll Slaw

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"Delicious! I used pork and topped it with a tiny bit of fried wonton strips, which I know isn't Keto," Cheryl Leary says. "But it was very tasty. It was just the right amount of spicy, and I will make this again."

04of 20

Bacon Okonomiyaki

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Recipe creator Whitney calls this an Americanized take on okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake filled with veggies: "It can be customized to your liking, but I prefer to keep mine simple." Since you're shredding the cabbage anyway, you might as well use a bag of coleslaw mix here.

05of 20

Broccoli and Ramen Noodle Salad

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When you're craving crunch, this salad delivers with slaw mix, ramen, unsalted peanuts, and sunflower seeds. A sweet vinaigrette tops it off.

06of 20

Portable Chinese Chicken Salad

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"This is my middle son's very favorite salad -- so much so, he requested that it be served at his graduation open house last June where it went over famously! The only change I made was substituting white vinegar and sugar for the called for items. No difference noted," Susan Sunderman says.

07of 20

Chicken Mango Salsa Salad with Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette

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"A delicious, colorful, sweet, and spicy salad with diced chicken, mango pico de gallo salsa, blue cheese, and cranberries in a wonderful chipotle-lime vinaigrette. It's almost too pretty to eat. Almost," says recipe creator Occasional Cooker.

08of 20

Thai Chicken Broccoli Slaw

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Sesame oil and peanut sauce lend this skillet dinner a toasty, Thai-inspired flavor. You can use cabbage or broccoli slaw here.

09of 20

Beefy Cabbage Stew

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"I tried this recipe since I'd never thought to make a stew with coleslaw mix. I liked the different textures of beans, beef, and cabbage," Denise Y. says. "I added additional spices to perk it up, and my hubby really enjoyed it."

10of 20

Catfish Po Boy

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"Quick and easy just the right amount of heat," San says. "The fish was crispy, and adding coleslaw gave it that pop and sweet crunch. Yummy!"

11of 20

Timesaver Kale Slaw

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True to its name, this salad takes just 15 minutes to make. You can thank the coleslaw mix.

12of 20

Golompke (Beef and Cabbage Casserole)

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"Delicious and easy recipe that has the taste of cabbage rolls! A bag of slaw mix from the produce section, some ground beef along with several other ingredients and you have a fabulous dinner," Debby Allen says.

13of 20

Thai Shrimp and Cabbage

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"This spicy shrimp is absolutely wonderful served over shredded cabbage. When I'm in a hurry, I use packaged coleslaw mix instead," says recipe creator Beth Malchiodi. "It's a welcome change from rice."

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14of 20

Weeknight Crack Slaw

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"When you get home from work, you hardly want a big production for dinner. That's when this recipe can be your standby. Cook your ground turkey, then add veggies, coleslaw mix, and sauce and in 10 minutes you've got a hearty meal for everyone to enjoy," Matt Wencl says.

15of 20

Pittsburgh Football Sunday Pasta Salad

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Slaw mix, tomatoes, cucumber, canned tuna, and cheese turn pasta salad from a side to a balanced meal.

16of 20

Grilled Cheese and Veggie Sandwich

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"In a million years, I never would have thought to put coleslaw mix on my grilled cheese," says Sondran. "I figured I would give it a shot, and I am so glad I did! I liked the creaminess of the cheese then the crispness of the slaw mix. I will definitely be adding it to my grilled cheeses from now on!"

17of 20

Thai Chicken Slaw Burgers

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Sweet, tangy slaw complements spiced chicken sandwiches. Season with red pepper flakes for extra heat, recommends reviewer Linda T.

18of 20

Kai's Chicken Potstickers

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Replace 1 cup finely shredded carrots and 3/4 cup finely shredded cabbage with a bag of coleslaw mix, and you're golden. Just like these potstickers.

19of 20

Sweet and Crunchy Salad

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With mandarin oranges, water chestnuts, and slaw in the mix, this salad tastes light but satisfying. "It was heaven from the first bite," Mari Boyd says. "Adding fresh cilantro really gives it a wonderful flavor."

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Spicy Veggie Cabbage Soup

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"Just love this soup. I developed it to use up small quantities of veggies, and we fell in love with the flavors. For a less spicy soup, use regular Italian sausage. For more heat, add some cayenne pepper and/or crushed red pepper flakes," Phyllis Trinke Funk says.

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20 Recipes That Start With a Bag of Coleslaw Mix (2024)

FAQs

How do you jazz up store bought coleslaw? ›

The contrasting textures will intensify it. You can add many things to it as well for taste, if it is vinagry and tangy, then add sweet to it i.e- diced apples, raisins, craisins (my favorite), mandarin oranges, currents.

What is KFC coleslaw made of? ›

There are only 3 vegetables: You can buy a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw and finely chop that, if you prefer. But keep in mind that true KFC Coleslaw only contains green cabbage, carrots, and onions, so don't use the packaged cabbage that has red cabbage or any herbs.

Can you freeze raw coleslaw mix? ›

It is perfectly safe to freeze coleslaw. You can freeze coleslaw without risk as long as the slaw hasn't been left out before freezing and it's thawed slowly in the fridge. Now, will your coleslaw be just as good once it's thawed? No, most definitely not.

What is the best pre made coleslaw? ›

Reser's Coleslaw

Our forks just kept coming back to this tub of creamy goodness. The slaw is extra tangy, well salted, and still packs a satisfying crunch. If you want to give all the dads at the potluck something to gossip about, you have to serve up Reser's coleslaw. Flavor-wise, it's the best coleslaw we tried.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

What is Popeyes coleslaw made of? ›

Popeye's Famous Coleslaw Recipe

Made with cabbage, red pepper, carrot and onion, this awesome recipe for coleslaw has all of the ingredients you love about traditional coleslaw and is topped with a slightly sweet dressing that sets it apart from many other coleslaw recipes…

How to make coleslaw jamie oliver? ›

Peel the onion and shallot, and slice as finely as you can, along with the cabbage, if using. Add these to the bowl of veg. In a separate bowl, mix half the lemon juice, a lug of extra virgin olive oil, yoghurt and mustard. Pick the herb leaves and chop, then stir into the dressing.

Is KFC still using cabbage? ›

KFC outlets, excluding those in the Northern Territory and South Australia, currently uses a 60/40 blend of lettuce and cabbage – but this will soon no longer be necessary, O'Malley said. “The crop got decimated. We do think it's short term in nature,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Does bagged coleslaw go bad? ›

When stored properly, coleslaw will stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days. Store it in an airtight container and keep it in the coldest part of the refrigerator, preferably pressed toward the very back. If you see signs of spoilage such as a sour or off smell or visible mold, discard the mixture immediately.

Can you eat coleslaw 2 days out of date? ›

When you grab that tub of coleslaw from the supermarket, it's going to have a best-by date. That's your North Star. As a general rule of thumb, once opened, you should consume it within three to five days.

How long does bagged coleslaw last in the fridge? ›

Shelf Life and Storage Tips

Generally, coleslaw can last in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days if it is kept in an airtight container and the fridge maintains a consistent temperature between 35°F and 38°F. The presence of mayonnaise in coleslaw can affect its shelf life.

Should you wash bagged coleslaw? ›

Even if the bag says "prewashed" or "triple-washed," wash the greens yourself. Rinsing won't remove all bacteria but may remove residual soil. Prevent cross contamination by keeping greens away from raw meat.

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Solution: Ensure that you remove the core of the cabbage before shredding it. Cut the cabbage in half, then cut out the triangular core from each half. Old Cabbage:Issue: Older cabbage may develop a bitter taste. Solution: Use fresh cabbage for your coleslaw.

Why does my homemade coleslaw go watery? ›

Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.

How far in advance should you dress coleslaw? ›

Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and carrots. Toss gently to combine, making sure all the shreds are coated evenly. (If you're making this more than an hour or two ahead of your party, save a little dressing to toss with the salad just before serving.) Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Can you freeze store-bought bagged coleslaw mix? ›

Trying to freeze store-bought coleslaw probably isn't a good idea as most of them have a mayonnaise-based dressing. So it's best to freeze homemade slaw or coleslaw with no dressing or, at a push, yoghurt-based dressing. Yoghurt (especially low-fat) can still split, just not as much as mayonnaise.

Why is my coleslaw bland? ›

Neglecting to add enough spices or seasoning

Perhaps the recipe you followed is just inherently bland. If your dressing is already applied, you only have one choice left to turn your coleslaw around. You've got to add some seasoning or spice. Start by adding salt and pepper to taste.

Is store-bought coleslaw good? ›

Most importantly of all, the flavor of store-bought coleslaw just doesn't compare with what you can whip up at home. Besides the uncertain freshness of what you're getting from the store, pre-made coleslaw is usually a bland mixture of basic ingredients with no flair or character.

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