Crunchy Cole Slaw is crisp and flavorful, with a tangy-sweet dressing that highlights the crunch of cabbage, carrots and fennel. This slaw works beautifully alongside hearty mains or as a bright side at gatherings.
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Ingredients to Have on Hand
- cabbage
- green and yellow pepper
- carrots
- fennel
- Greek yogurt
- horseradish sauce
- sour cream
Serve Crunchy Cole Slaw with other homemade sides for a well-rounded meal.
Special Cole Slaw Ingredient
Fennel adds a pleasant crunch and a hint of sweetness. While its aroma can be reminiscent of licorice, when thinly sliced and combined with the other vegetables it provides a fresh, delicate flavor that elevates this slaw.
Recipe FAQs
Most grocery stores carry fennel in the produce section. Look for the distinctive white bulb with feathery green stalks; availability can vary by season and store.
Yes. Fennel adds texture and a mild sweetness, but the slaw is still delicious without it.
Fennel as Garnish
The feathery fennel fronds make a lovely garnish. Save a few sprigs to sprinkle on the finished slaw for a pretty, aromatic touch.
Cole Slaw Equipment
- A mandolin or slicer works well to achieve thin, even slices; use a blade wide enough for cabbage.
- Protective, cut-resistant gloves are recommended when using a mandolin to avoid injury.
How to Serve Cole Slaw
This slaw is great served immediately, but it also keeps its crisp texture in the refrigerator for several days. The vegetables retain crunch without becoming soggy, making it convenient for make-ahead meals or potlucks.
Substitutions
I prefer dried onion flakes in this slaw to avoid big bites of raw onion, but if you like fresh onion, use about 1/4 cup finely diced. You can also swap a red pepper in place of the yellow pepper if you prefer a sweeter note, though the green pepper keeps a milder flavor balance.
Other Side Dishes to Enjoy
Pair this slaw with a variety of sides for potlucks or family meals. Some complementary options include pasta salads, mashed potatoes or baked beans—choose a few to round out your spread.
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Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
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Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
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Easy Franks and Beans
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Cranberry Apple Stuffing (Baked)
If you make Crunchy Cole Slaw, please leave a star rating and a comment — I’d love to hear how it turned out!
Recipe
Crunchy Cole Slaw
Ingredients
Slaw Ingredients
- 1 head cabbage – grated
- 1 green pepper – grated
- 1 yellow pepper – grated
- 2 large carrots – peeled and grated
- 1 fennel bulb – sliced very thin
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried chopped onion flakes
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Slice the cabbage into large chunks and shred into a large bowl. A mandolin creates a great texture—wear a cut-resistant glove for safety.
- Shred the green and yellow peppers with a grater, saving their juice to help the dressing blend. Grate the carrots. Slice the fennel very thinly (reserve fronds for garnish).
- Place all the vegetables in a large bowl with the cabbage.
- In a measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sour cream, horseradish sauce, dried onion flakes, sugar, pepper and salt until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and stir gently to combine. Garnish with fennel fronds if desired.
- Cover and refrigerate until serving. The slaw is delicious immediately and stays crisp for days.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note: nutrition details are estimates from a food database and should be used as a guideline.