Thai Peanut Slaw (Paleo, Vegan)

Thai Peanut Slaw – This colorful veggie slaw with peanut dressing is the perfect blend of colors, flavors, and textures. Fresh, crunchy, creamy, and gorgeous, it’s a perfect healthy side dish. (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

What’s colorful, crunchy, and the new fresh side dish you maybe didn’t know you needed?

This Thai-inspired Peanut Slaw!!!

It’s the kind of side dish that’ll totally steal the show. Loaded with colorful veggies & finished with our signature peanut dressing, it’s got it ALL–crunch, color and creaminess, plus salty, sweet, savory, and umami flavors.

It’s a total delight + perfect whether you’re making it for a weeknight or bringing it to a party, potluck, or barbecue.

Here’s what you need to get started…

Here’s What Goes Into Our Peanut Slaw Recipe:

• Green & Purple Cabbage. I use a mix of cabbage for gorgeous color & texture. Feel free to use bagged coleslaw mix in place of the green cabbage if that’s easier for you! Some stores also carry pre-shredded purple cabbage in the salad section, which can save time.
• Grated Carrots. Next, we bring in some orange with shredded carrots. I love that they add a touch of sweetness, and the color is so gorgeous!
• Julienned Red Bell Pepper. Now, you’ll add red with some thinly sliced (julienned red bell pepper). The thinner you can slice it, the better! (This tutorial is great for learning to julienne!)
• Green Onion. A bit of green onion adds a savory note without being too sharp. I love it here!
• Fresh Cilantro. An absolute must for me! I love the brightness and the fresh flavor it adds. If you absolutely hate cilantro, you can use a mix of basil + mint instead.
• Salted Roasted Peanuts. Crunchy, salty peanuts add a terrific crunch to this peanut slaw. I like to add them right before serving so they’re at their crunchiest.
• Our Creamy Peanut Dressing. I could drink peanut sauce or eat it like soup with a spoon. I LOVE IT! Our peanut dressing recipe strikes a balance between creamy, savory, sweet, salty, tangy, and umami. It’s a total revelation. Yum!

How To Make Peanut Slaw, Step By Step:

1. Start By Making The Peanut Dressing. In a jar or small bowl, combine peanut butter, coconut milk, tamari, syrup, and lime juice. Whisk or blend to combine. (An immersion blender makes this extra easy!)
2. Next, Build Your Slaw. In a large bowl, combine green cabbage, purple cabbage, grated carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, peanuts, and sesame seeds.
3. Drizzle With Dressing. Add about half of the peanut dressing to the veggie & cabbage mixture and toss the slaw to coat well in the peanut dressing. Let it sit 10-15 minutes, and add additional dressing, if desired.
4. Garnish. To serve, add a few more chopped peanuts, cilantro, or sesame seeds, as desired.

Yummy Ways To Serve Peanut Slaw:

As A Side Dish With Chicken Satay. The flavors in our grilled chicken satay are PERFECT next to this easy peanut slaw. A taste match made in heaven!

Next To Grilled Chicken. Serve this Thai peanut slaw as a simple side dish to your favorite grilled chicken. Lots of marinades pair well–try a teriyaki or sesame ginger marinade to pair nicely with the slaw!

At Your Summer BBQ. Next time you’re asked to bring a salad or side dish to a potluck, picnic, or barbecue, try bringing this peanut slaw! It’s PACKED with flavor and color, and really stands out.

With Rotisserie Chicken Mixed In. Turn it into a full main dish salad by mixing in some cooked and cubed or shredded rotisserie chicken or a drained can of chickpeas to the slaw. This protein boost makes it main dish worthy, for sure! (You could also try marinated crispy tofu!)

FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The BEST Peanut Slaw:

Save Some Peanuts For The End. I love reserving a few peanuts for the end to use as garnish. They stand out and it helps make sure everyone gets some of that tasty crunch in their serving!

Try Serving It With The Dressing On The Side. For a really pretty presentation, build the slaw more like a salad on a platter, with each element grouped separately so guests can choose just the elements they want and dress it themselves. This works well for picky eaters, too!

Can I Make This In Advance? Yes! Once the slaw is dressed, it’ll begin to soften, but the vegetables are all on the hardy side, so it’ll last well 2-3 days. I recommend making it the same day you plan to serve it for best results.

Would This Work With Other Nut Butters? I haven’t made this slaw without the peanut element, but cashew would be my top suggestion. You can swap the peanuts for cashews, and the peanut butter in the dressing for cashew butter!

More Flavor Boosts To Try. Want to add a flavor spin? Try adding garlic or ginger to the dressing, or a few drops of toasted sesame oil.

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