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."

20of 20

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? ›

Enhance coleslaw with a spicy kick

Seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, dried ginger, and dry mustard can add a good amount of spice for those who prefer less heat.

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.

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.

Why did Chick-fil-A get rid of coleslaw? ›

"But as our sales volumes grew, it just wasn't feasible to keep adding to the menu without taking anything away." Chick-fil-A cut cole slaw from the menu in January to make room for a new "superfood" side of kale and broccolini in a maple vinaigrette dressing.

How do you pimp up shop bought coleslaw? ›

Minced red bell pepper, minced dill pickle or cornichon, minced parsley, some sour cream, white balsamic and a little lemon juice to cut through the often way-too-sweet storebought stuff.

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.

Does bagged coleslaw go bad? ›

First off, let's tackle the store-bought variety. 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? ›

Refrigeration Guidelines

Homemade coleslaw: Consume within 3-4 days. Unopened store-bought coleslaw: Use by 2-3 days past the printed date. Opened store-bought coleslaw: Eat within 3-4 days.

Can you freeze bag coleslaw mix? ›

You can freeze your coleslaw in a freezer-safe bag or container like a lunchbox. I like to use bags as it's easier to squeeze the air out, which is an important step. When ready, scoop your shredded veg or prepared coleslaw into pre-labelled freezer bags. Writing on the bag before you fill them is a good idea!

Should you wash bagged coleslaw? ›

Bagged or ready-to-eat, fresh-cut produce

If the product is not labeled "washed," "triple washed," or "ready-to-eat," it must be washed before eating.

Why does my coleslaw taste weird? ›

Cabbage Core:Issue: The core of the cabbage can be bitter, especially if it's not removed before shredding. 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.

Why does coleslaw smell weird? ›

It's absolutely normal for cabbage to have a sulfur smell—they store sulfur compounds in their leaves. Just like eggs, the smell can be concentrated when they are sealed in a container. I've found that coleslaw mixes (in the tightly packed air-free bags) always have an odor just after opening.

What is Chick-fil-A secret ingredient? ›

That ingredient is monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG. While many people think MSG is only found in Chinese (or Americanized Chinese) cuisine, it's prevalent in dozens of all types of food items, including snacks like Doritos and powder mixes like Hidden Valley's ranch dressing.

Why did Chic Fil A change their name to Chick-fil-A? ›

The capital 'A' stands for Grade A top quality, and it feeds into everything we do. It all began with our founder, S. Truett Cathy, naming his restaurants after his famous signature Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich (also known as the Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich).

What can I add to store coleslaw? ›

It's the dressing that makes it so bad. Buy the bags without dressing and add, walnuts or pecans, grated cheese, pineapple, apple, sultanas, asian fried noodles.

How far in advance should you dress coleslaw? ›

Then you add vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. A bit of salt and pepper finishes off a classic, creamy, tangy dressing. When should you dress coleslaw? For the ideal coleslaw, add dressing to coleslaw no more than 30 minutes 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.

What to add to bitter coleslaw? ›

You could also add grated apple, finely diced pineapple, or even a sprinkle of sugar. Just be careful not to be too heavy-handed — a little sweetness goes a long way. Bitterness is another common problem with coleslaw. Sweeteners like honey and fresh fruit should also help to counteract even a stubborn bite.

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