Tangy Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw Recipe

Tangy Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw Recipe for Picnics

Summer picnics demand a refreshing salad that brightens tangy pineapple walnut raisin coleslaw recipe with unexpected flavor combinations.

Crisp cabbage mingles with sweet, juicy pineapple chunks and crunchy walnuts.

Plump raisins add bursts of natural sweetness to this vibrant side dish.

The creamy dressing ties everything together with a zesty punch that makes taste buds dance.

Colorful and nutritious, this coleslaw breaks free from traditional bland recipes.

Each forkful offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes that will impress everyone at your next gathering.

Prepare to elevate your summer meal with this delectable, crowd-pleasing salad.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need For Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw

For Crunchy Base:
  • Green Cabbage: Provides crisp, fresh foundation with light peppery undertone perfect for coleslaw texture.
  • Purple Cabbage: Adds vibrant color, extra crunch, and subtle earthy flavor with powerful antioxidant benefits.
  • Carrot: Brings natural sweetness, bright orange color, and additional nutritional boost to the salad.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Crushed Pineapple: Delivers tropical sweetness, tangy moisture, and helps bind ingredients with its juicy consistency.
  • Raisins: Introduces chewy texture, natural concentrated sweetness, and complementary fruity notes.
  • Walnuts: Contributes rich, buttery crunch, nutty depth, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
For Creamy Dressing:
  • Mayonnaise: Creates smooth, rich base that helps coat ingredients evenly and provides luxurious mouthfeel.
  • Greek Yogurt: Adds protein-rich creaminess, lightens traditional mayo, and introduces subtle tangy undertone.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Brings bright acidity that balances sweetness and helps tenderize vegetable mixture.
  • Honey: Provides natural sweetness, helps emulsify dressing, and offers smooth, rounded flavor profile.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps balance sweet and tangy elements.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle spiciness to complete dressing complexity.

Utensils For Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining and tossing all coleslaw ingredients together.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending dressing ingredients smoothly and eliminating lumps.
  • Grater: Needed to shred fresh carrots for the coleslaw mix.
  • Cutting Board: Useful for chopping walnuts and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Required for precise ingredient preparation.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

Making Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw Step By Step

  • Chop and Mix Crisp Veggies

Grab a big mixing bowl and roughly chop fresh green and purple cabbage. Toss in grated carrots for extra crunch and vibrant color.

  • Sprinkle Sweet and Nutty Textures

Scatter juicy crushed pineapple chunks over the veggie blend. Add a handful of golden raisins and roughly chopped walnuts for unexpected bursts of sweetness and richness.

  • Whip Up Creamy Dressing

In a separate bowl, blend tangy mayonnaise with creamy Greek yogurt. Splash in apple cider vinegar and a drizzle of honey. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper, whisking until smooth and silky.

  • Combine and Chill

Pour the luscious dressing over the veggie mixture. Gently fold everything together, ensuring each piece gets perfectly coated. Cover the bowl and let it hang out in the refrigerator for half an hour, allowing all those amazing flavors to dance and mingle.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Give the coleslaw a final gentle toss before transferring to a beautiful serving dish. This fresh, zesty side is ready to steal the show at your next meal!

Smart Tips For Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw

  • Perfect Texture Tip: Drain crushed pineapple thoroughly using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to prevent watery coleslaw and maintain a crisp, fresh texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this coleslaw up to 24 hours in advance, storing it in an airtight container to enhance flavor development and save time before serving.
  • Dietary Flexibility: Swap mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise and Greek yogurt with dairy-free coconut yogurt to create a completely plant-based version of this coleslaw.
  • Crunch Booster: Toast walnuts lightly in a dry skillet before adding to the salad to intensify their nutty flavor and provide an extra layer of crispness to the dish.
  • Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or plant-based protein like chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete and satisfying meal.

How To Present Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw

  • Summer Picnic Delight: Pack this vibrant coleslaw in mason jars for a colorful outdoor meal that's sure to impress friends and family.
  • Tropical Taco Topper: Spoon this zesty slaw over grilled fish tacos or pulled pork sandwiches to add a sweet and crunchy dimension to your main dish.
  • Protein Power Bowl: Use the coleslaw as a fresh, tangy base for a protein-packed bowl featuring grilled chicken or shrimp for a light and satisfying lunch.
  • Potluck Showstopper: Bring this unique coleslaw to gatherings as a crowd-pleasing side that stands out from traditional mayo-based slaws with its fruity and nutty twist.

Plan And Store Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw

  • Flavor Harmony: Let the coleslaw sit in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before serving to enhance the taste blend of pineapple, walnuts, and cabbage.
  • Quick Container Storage: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, which keeps the coleslaw fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Smart Moisture Control: Place a paper towel inside the storage container to absorb excess liquid and maintain the salad's crisp texture.
  • Prep-Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and mix dry ingredients separately from the dressing to prevent sogginess, combining just before serving for maximum crunch.
Print
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Tangy Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw Recipe

Tangy Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw Recipe


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4.6 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Classic pineapple walnut raisin coleslaw brings tropical sweetness to summer gatherings. Crisp cabbage and tangy dressing blend with nutty walnuts and sweet raisins for a refreshing side dish you’ll savor at picnics and potlucks.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup (240 ml) shredded purple cabbage
  • 1 medium carrot, grated
  • 1 cup (240 ml) crushed pineapple, drained
  • ½ cup (120 ml) raisins
  • ½ cup (120 ml) chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey or sugar
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Combine shredded green and purple cabbage with grated carrot in a large mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and colorful vegetable base for the coleslaw.
  2. Add Texture: Incorporate crushed pineapple chunks, roughly chopped walnuts, and plump raisins, distributing them evenly throughout the vegetable mixture to enhance flavor and provide contrasting textures.
  3. Dressing Creation: Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a separate bowl, creating a creamy and balanced dressing with a harmonious blend of tangy and sweet notes.
  4. Seasoning: Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper into the dressing, carefully adjusting to elevate the underlying flavor profile.
  5. Mixing: Gently pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable blend, folding carefully to ensure each ingredient receives a luxurious and even coating.
  6. Chilling: Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and develop a more complex and refined taste experience.
  7. Serving: Give the coleslaw a final, gentle toss just before serving to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the crisp vegetable textures.

Notes

  • Prevent Watery Coleslaw: Drain crushed pineapple thoroughly using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove excess liquid and maintain the salad’s crisp texture.
  • Enhance Nut Crunch: Toast walnuts lightly in a dry skillet before chopping to intensify their nutty flavor and provide an extra layer of depth to the coleslaw.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap mayonnaise with vegan mayo or Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt to create dairy-free and vegan-friendly versions of the recipe.
  • Balance Flavor Intensity: Add fresh herbs like mint or parsley to brighten the taste profile and introduce a subtle herbal note that complements the sweet and tangy elements.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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