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    Home / Recipes / Vegan Salads

    Vegan Pineapple Coleslaw

    Published: Jun 26, 2025 · Modified: Jun 26, 2025 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This vegan pineapple coleslaw recipe combines the natural sweetness of pineapple with crisp cabbage to complement any BBQ dish. Enjoy it as a side dish, sandwich topper, or as an entrée salad with grilled tofu.

    Vegan pineapple coleslaw recipe ina bowl on the table.

    What do you get when the natural, sweet taste of pineapple and the crunch of crispy cabbage come together? Vegan pineapple coleslaw. Pineapple coleslaw is a perfect side dish,  salad for lunch, or topping for a Pulled Pork Sweet Potato Sandwich. Regardless of how you eat coleslaw with pineapple, it ends with sweet and savory satisfaction. 

    Since so many coleslaw variations exist, this vegan pineapple coleslaw recipe is unique, with an exciting combination of simple ingredients. Although sweet, the tangy dressing and crunchy texture create magic with every bite.

    Jump to:
    • Pineapple Coleslaw Ingredients
    • Pineapple Coleslaw Ingredient Substitutions
    • Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients
    • Coleslaw Dressing Ingredient Substitutions
    • How to Select Cabbage for Coleslaw
    • How to Select Ripe Pineapple 
    • How to Cut Pineapple Without Waste
    • Adding Fruit to Salads
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips
    • More Delicious Vegan Salads
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Pineapple Coleslaw Ingredients

    Slaw ingredients in bowls n the counter: white cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, pineapple, red bell peppers, parsley, and green onions.
    • Green Cabbage: Green cabbage is one of the most popular cabbage varieties. It is so named for how its leaves wound tightly over one another in a dense, compact fashion, with the final product resembling a cannonball.
    • Purple Cabbage: Purple cabbage is a great source of antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds that help protect against cellular damage.
    • Carrots: Carrots are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are also a good source of antioxidants.
    • Red Bell Pepper: Red bell peppers are the sweetest of the bell pepper varieties
    • Green Onions: Green onions (also known as scallions) are long and thin, typically no wider than a finger, and are bright white at the bottom with dark green tops. They taste different than most onions as they're mild and not very pungent.
    • Pineapple: Pineapple is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals and a variety of health benefits.
    • Parsley(garnish optional): Parsley is particularly rich in vitamins A, C, and K. The vitamins and beneficial plant compounds in parsley may improve bone health, protect against chronic diseases, and provide antioxidant benefits.
    Salad ingredients in a bowl on the table.

    Pineapple Coleslaw Ingredient Substitutions

    • Substitute red or white onion for a stronger onion presence in the coleslaw.
    • To add more color, add green or yellow bell pepper to complement the diced red bell pepper.
    • Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy combination.
    • If looking for a nut-free option for the dressing, choose silken tofu, white beans, or sunflower seeds to replace the raw cashews.
    • Store-bought vegan mayonnaise is a shortcut to making the homemade dressing.
    • Purchase shredded carrots instead of dicing the carrots as another possible shortcut.
    • Buying a prep shredded coleslaw mixture is a quick and easy way to avoid chopping the cabbage and carrots.

    Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients

    Dressing ingredients in bowls: raw cashews, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and water.
    • Raw Cashews: Raw-soaked cashews (drained) supply the creaminess of this vegan pineapple coleslaw recipe.
    • Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener instead of using refined sugar.
    • Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar balances out the saltiness in the dressing while adding a bit of sweetness that lifts the dressing up
    • Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard adds a sweet and spicy flavor that's great in salad dressings. In a nutshell, dijon mustard tastes like a smooth, slightly salty, complex tang
    I am pouring the dressing into the bowl with the salad ingredients.

    Coleslaw Dressing Ingredient Substitutions

    • Instead of raw cashews, choose sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, or another type of nut, such as almonds.
    • For a nut-free option, choose silken tofu or white beans.
    • Substitute date syrup, agave nectar, or pineapple juice for maple syrup.
    • Champagne vinegar or rice vinegar often substitutes apple cider vinegar.
    • Stone-ground mustard is very close in texture and tase to Dijon mustard.
    Coleslaw recipe in a dish on the table.

    How to Select Cabbage for Coleslaw

    1. When choosing a cabbage, heavy is best.
    2. Ensure the leaves are tight and firm, as loose leaves indicate an older cabbage.
    3. You can store cabbage in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. I always buy organic cabbage.
    4. Before using cabbage, strip away a few outer leaves to get to the freshest part of the cabbage.
    5. When making coleslaw, I always use green and purple cabbage. Their contrasting colors are vibrant in a  bowl regardless of what you add.
    6. Spicy, sweet, or tangy, whatever flavors you choose to enhance the cabbage brings out the freshness of the cabbage.
    7. The dressing absorbs wells and coats the cabbage, which will maintain its crunchy texture.

    How to Select Ripe Pineapple 

    Pineapple cut up on a cutting board.
    1. A pineapple tastes best at its peak of ripeness. So underripe, unfortunately,  is so sour-tasting and tough in terms of texture. 
    2. First, smell a fresh pineapple to see if it smells fragrant, like a pineapple. If a pineapple has no fragrance, it is not yet ripe.
    3. On the other hand, if a pineapple smells fermented and sharp, it is overripe. 
    4. Second, ripe pineapple has leaves that, when pulled, come out directly without much effort.
    5. Contrarily, if the leaves are brown and the body of the pineapple is soft, it is overripe. 
    6. But, if you plan to use the pineapple later, reach for an unripe one, which will ripen upon standing in room temperature conditions.
    7. Once ripe, a pineapple will only last a couple of days on the countertop, so make sure you cut it and refrigerate it. 

    How to Cut Pineapple Without Waste

    1. Place the pineapple on its side on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, slice off the top green crown and about a half-inch of the top of the pineapple.
    2. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut away the outer peel, from top to bottom, following the contours of the pineapple.
    3. Do not cut so deep as to cut away the eyes. The outer edge of the pineapple has the sweetest flesh, so you want to retain that if you can.
    4. Cut off the bottom half-inch or so of the pineapple.
    5. Now remove the pineapple dotted with eyes. You can use a small paring knife to carve each one carefully, but there is an easier way.
    6. Notice that the eyes all line up on a diagonal! Make a diagonal cut across the side of the pineapple, like a V-shaped trench, and more easily cut out all of the eyes on that diagonal.
    7. Continue to work your way around the pineapple. You do waste a bit of good pineapple this way, but not much, and it is much faster than cutting out each eye carefully.
    8. Next, identify the center where the tough core is located. Cut four straight cuts around the core. Discard the core. 
    9. Cut the pineapple into bite-sized pieces. 

    Adding Fruit to Salads

    Salad served in a dish on the table.

    For me, pineapple naturally goes with BBQ. The natural, sweet flavors of fresh pineapple complement the tangy BBQ sauce. Even when BBQ sauce is spicy, pineapple tones down the heat, enhancing the spices.

    If you don't like pineapple, apples are also a great fruit addition to any coleslaw, like my vegan Waldorf salad. Also, I make Asian coleslaw with mandarin oranges. As a result, I suggest you experiment with the ingredients to meet your tastes or give pineapple a try. Any fruit added to a salad or slaw brings an extra dimension to a salad or any recipe.

    Recipe FAQs

    How many calories are in homemade coleslaw with pineapple?

    My vegan pineapple coleslaw has 157 calories, 2 g fat (unsaturated), 0 mg Cholesterol, 155 mg sodium, 18 carbohydrates (10g sugar, 4g fiber), 3g protein compared to traditional coleslaw with pineapple, which has 170 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 114 mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 

    How much pineapple do you put in coleslaw?

    One cup of fresh chopped pineapple is the perfect amount for sweetness without overpowering the coleslaw.

    Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

    Canned pineapple is generally much sweeter and is packed in syrup. Although I strongly recommend fresh pineapple, choose canned pineapple in natural juices over the kind packed in syrup if you don't have fresh pineapple. 

    Tips

    • To avoid soggy coleslaw, toss the cabbage with a Tablespoon of salt and allow it to sit in a colander, then rinse and shake. The salt helps remove the excess water and keeps the cabbage crispy.
    • f using canned pineapple, choose the type in natural juices rather than syrup. Drain and pat teh pineapple pieces dry before cutting into bite-sized pieces. This will reduce the amount of liquid in the coleslaw.
    • Coleslaw tastes better the longer it sits. If you can prep ahead a day or longer, the flavor will be worth the wait. 
    • Another way to keep cabbage crispy is to place shredded cabbage in a tightly sealed plastic bag or air-tight container. Store in the coldest part of your fridge. Shredded cabbage should stay fresh for 2-3 days when stored properly.
    • If your dressing is too thin,  mix a little xanthan gum with the dressing to thicken it. Xanthan gum doesn't require heat to thicken, so it works great in dressings.
    • Distilled white vinegar is another substitute for apple cider vinegar in coleslaw recipes.
    • Refrigerate your coleslaw salad in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.

    If you enjoy this vegan pineapple coleslaw recipe, share this coleslaw recipe with your friends.

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    If you love this vegan pineapple coleslaw recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    pineapple coleslaw

    Vegan Pineapple Coleslaw

    Kathy Carmichael
    The natural, sweet taste of pineapple and crispy cabbage come together to compliment any BBQ dish or enjoy as a side dish and sandwich topper, or an entree salad with grilled tofu.
    4.75 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 138 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Coleslaw Salad

    • ½ head Green Cabbage shredded
    • 1 cup diced Carrots
    • 5 Green Onions sliced thin
    • ½ cup red bell pepper chopped
    • ½ fresh pineapple or 1 cup chopped
    • 1 cup purple cabbage shredded
    • 2 Tablespoons parsley garnish optional

    Dressing

    • ¼ cup raw soaked cashews Drained or substitute Silken Tofu for a nut-free option
    • 3 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup date syrup, or fresh pineapple juice
    • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
    • 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard

    Instructions
     

    Prepare Coleslaw Salad

    • Shred the cabbages and place them in a large bowl.
    • Add shredded carrots, red bell pepper, and sliced green onions.
    • Add bite-sized pieces of pineapple..

    Coleslaw Dressing

    • In a high-speed blender, add all ingredients.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Pour into a bowl with cabbages, carrots, red bell pepper, onions, and pineapple.
    • Toss to coat the coleslaw ingredients.
    • Cover until ready to serve.
    • Garnish with parsley (optional)

    Serving suggestions:

    • Top a barbecued tempeh sandwich, barbecue jackfruit sandwich, or pulled pork sweet potato sandwich.
    • Serve as a side dish for sandwiches, burgers, or carrot dogs.
    • Serve as an entree salad and add grilled tempeh or tofu

    Video

    Notes

    • Substitute white beans, silken tofu, or sunflower seeds for cashews in the dressing for a nut-free option. 
    • Soaking the cashews overnight in water makes blending them easier.
    • For a quick way to soften cashews, boil the cashews for 10 minutes, drain, and then blend with other ingredients. 
    • Make vegan pineapple coleslaw ahead of time so the flavors enhance in the refrigerator. 
    • Serve pineapple coleslaw with your favorite BBQ meals. To avoid soggy coleslaw, toss the cabbage with a Tablespoon of salt and allow it to sit in a colander, then rinse and shake. The salt helps remove the excess water and keeps the cabbage crispy.
      Coleslaw tastes better the longer it sits. If you can prep ahead a day or longer, the flavor will be worth the wait. 
    • Another way to keep cabbage crispy is to place shredded cabbage in a tightly sealed plastic bag or air-tight container. 
    • Store in the coldest part of your fridge. Shredded cabbage should stay fresh for 2-3 days when stored properly.
    • If your dressing is too thin,  mix a little xanthan gum with the dressing to thicken it. Xanthan gum doesn't require heat to thicken, so it works great in dressings.
    • Distilled white vinegar is another substitute for apple cider vinegar in coleslaw recipes.
    • Refrigerate your coleslaw salad in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 93mgPotassium: 445mgFiber: 5gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 4452IUVitamin C: 93mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.75 from 12 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jetta

      July 01, 2025 at 7:42 pm

      5 stars
      Love it, very tasty

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        July 02, 2025 at 6:37 am

        Hi Jetta! I'm so glad you liked the coleslaw. Thanks for the feedback; I appreciate it.

        Reply
    2. Margot lane

      May 30, 2025 at 11:34 pm

      4 stars
      The first time I tried making this, I accidentally reversed the amt of purple to white slaw, and used canned pineapple and it was absolutely delicious. I confess I ate most of it then and there, myself.

      Then I got too cocky and tried for fresh pineapple…which doesn’t exist where I am, it just doesn’t— it really does have to be RIPE. When I used more white cabbage than purple I found that my Dijon mustard kind of yellowed the white slaw. Much preferred it the “purple” way. I also snuck in a teeny bit of canned chopped mandarin slices too. I’ll definitely make this again, but unless I live in Hawaii I’ll never use uncanned pineapple.

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        May 31, 2025 at 3:35 am

        Hi Margot, I love the Mandarin addition. I like fresh pineapple only because it's less juicy and doesn't water down the pineapple. Canned pineapple works very well. If I use it, I generally drain it and let it sit on a paper towel for a short time to remove some of the moisture. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
      • Adi

        June 27, 2025 at 3:13 am

        5 stars
        So good! I skip the onions (we don't eat onions or garlic) and add roasted sliced almonds.

        Reply
        • Kathy Carmichael

          June 27, 2025 at 4:39 am

          Hi Adi, I'm os glad you enjoyed the coleslaw. The almonds sound like a fabulous addition. I will have to try that. Thank you for taking the time to rate the recipe and comment. OI appreciate it.

          Reply
    3. Miranda Edison

      May 14, 2025 at 2:19 pm

      4 stars
      The fresh pineapple is a wowser! I removed the onion and added in a bit of apple as it gave me onion breath. Dressing is great & as mentioned tastes SO GOOD the next day. I tried canned organic pineapple in a batch and that works fine too. Fresh parsley is a game changer.

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        May 14, 2025 at 6:25 pm

        HI Miranda! So glad you liked teh recipe. Thanks so much for the feedback. I appreciate it.

        Reply
    4. Melody

      August 10, 2023 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      Kathy Yet another hit made the sauce with dairy free yogurt instead of cashews or soy allergic to both YIKES deeeelish yet again love it was craving Cole slaw!!!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        August 10, 2023 at 3:46 pm

        Hi Melody, I'm so glad you liked it. And I'm happy you tried the vegan yogurt option. It's a great way to stay nut and soy free! Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
    5. Jetta

      May 25, 2023 at 11:21 pm

      I'm going to try a while bean instead of nuts or tofu

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        May 26, 2023 at 5:59 am

        Hi Jetta, let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    6. Polly

      June 19, 2022 at 3:49 am

      We love this salad, Kathy! The dressing is delicious! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        June 19, 2022 at 6:00 am

        Hi Polly, I'm so glad you enjoyed the salad and the dressing. We use the dressing for other salad combinations at our house. Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it.

        Reply

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