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Get a taste of the tropics with this creamy pineapple coleslaw. It comes together quickly and makes an easy side dish recipe.

I love to vacation in Anna Maria Island, Florida. It’s our home away from home. The first time I visited the island, we had fish & chips at a restaurant at the end of the city pier. Although that restaurant is no longer there, I remember their pineapple coleslaw being so, so good.

I took our homemade coleslaw recipe and tweaked it slightly to be coleslaw with pineapple. This classic side dish is delicious served with battered fish & chips, but makes a great picnic side dish for backyard bbqs.

a bowl of pineapple coleslaw with pineapple slices

About this Pineapple Coleslaw Recipe:

Flavor: This coleslaw has a slight sweetness to it, although it is not overbearing because the sweetness comes from pineapple. I added a jalapeño pepper for just a little kick. Although I don’t like super hot, spicy flavors, I loved the little bit of heat that the jalapeño gave. Just because it has pineapple doesn’t make it a Hawaiian coleslaw, but you will feel like you are in the tropics!
Texture: The dressing on this coleslaw is extra creamy, thanks to the sour cream. Coleslaw itself has a little bit of a crunch. It’s a cool, creamy salad!

Ingredients

What is coleslaw mix made of?

Keep this recipe quick and easy by using a bag of slaw mix. It has shredded cabbage (often green cabbage with red cabbage mixed in) and carrots.

If you want, you can shred your own cabbage mixture. Either works.

Did you know?

The word “coleslaw” is derived from the Dutch term “koosla,” translating to “cabbage salad.”

Pineapple Coleslaw Dressing

This is the creamiest coleslaw I’ve ever had, and it’s thanks to the mayo and sour cream combination. Can you use Greek yogurt instead of coleslaw? If you want, but it will change the flavor. I prefer sour cream.

The pineapple juice and sugar add a touch of sweetness. Other than that all that flavors the dressing is salt and pepper. It’s tempting to buy a jar of Marzetti’s slaw dressing, but this homemade dressing is really very easy.

How to Make Pineapple Coleslaw

Prepare the pineapple. Drain the can of pineapple tidbits, but drain the juice into a bowl so that you can use 2 tablespoons of the juice in the dressing. Set aside.
Mix the dressing. In another small bowl, combine the mayo, sour cream, sugar, pineapple juice, pepper and salt. Whisk until smooth.
Coat the slaw. Place coleslaw mix in a large bowl. Pour over coleslaw mix and stir to coat.
Add pineapple and jalapeno. Add in the pineapple tidbits and jalapeño pepper.

How to Serve Coleslaw

Coleslaw is traditionally served as a side dish at summer cookouts such as pulled pork sandwiches, fried chicken, hot dogs or brats and loaded burgers cooked on the grill.

Coleslaw is also fun to throw on top of tacos, baked nachos or shredded chicken sliders.

pineapple coleslaw, fries and sliders on parchment paper

an overhead view of pineapple coleslaw with jalapeno peppers

Pineapple Coleslaw Recipe

4.96 from 23 votes

Get a taste of the tropics with this creamy pineapple coleslaw. It comes together quickly and makes an easy side dish recipe.

Servings 8

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

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Ingredients

20 ounces pineapple tidbits in juice drained but reserve two tablespoons of juice
14 ounces coleslaw mix
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons pineapple juice (reserved from draining canned pineapple)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 jalapeño pepper finely diced

Instructions

Drain the can of pineapple tidbits, but drain the juice into a bowl so that you can use 2 tablespoons of the juice in the dressing. Set aside.
Place coleslaw mix in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine the mayo, sour cream, sugar, pineapple juice, pepper and salt. Whisk until smooth.
Pour over coleslaw mix and toss to coat.
Add in the pineapple tidbits and jalapeño pepper.
Cover and store in the refrigerator until serving.

Video

Notes

If all you have is pineapple chunks, cut them in fourths so that they are smaller. If you use crushed pineapple, drain them well before adding them to the coleslaw.

Recipe variations:

Add green onions, diced shallot or sprinkle of freshly snipped cilantro.
Other veggies such as small broccoli florets are good added into this as well.
Decorate with fresh pineapple.

Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 8, with 1 serving being ⅛ of the coleslaw. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Author Julie Clark

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 231

Keyword easy side dish, picnic salad

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