The Best Homemade Coleslaw (Brazilian-Style)

Brazilian Homemade Coleslaw (kale slaw) is a fresh, colorful salad made with kale, onions, and coleslaw mix, tossed with a lime-garlic vinaigrette. A must for all year round, including as a side for barbecued meats and sandwiches. 

A salad that you can toss quickly and serve the whole year round? Well, how about making it a Homemade Coleslaw?

Coleslaw is nothing more than a “cabbage salad,” and there is a cabbage type for every season of the year. Do ya see?!

As Wikipedia explains, coleslaw comes the Dutch term koolsla (meaning ‘cabbage salad’). Also known as cole slaw or slaw, it consists primarily of finely-shredded raw cabbage tossed with either a vinaigrette or mayonnaise.

Of course, one encounters variants in many different countries.

In America, coleslaw typically consists of a mix of cabbage and carrots tossed with a buttermilk or mayo dressing.

If Brazil had its own version, it would no doubt include one of its most popular leafy vegetables, kale, which is a close relative of cabbage! 

This Brazilian coleslaw (kale slaw with bacon) mixes finely-shredded kale (just as in Couve a Mineira) with cabbage, carrot, and red onions… all tossed with a lime-garlic vinaigrette. 

The vinaigrette makes this slaw lighter and grants it a longer lifespan.  Plus, the acidity aids digestion when served as a side for Brazilian barbecue. 

But if you prefer to, serve this kale slaw with a mayo-based dressing instead.

Homemade coleslaw is a side dish that usually accompanies fried chicken (an all-season dish) and barbecued meats (summer season).

It is also used in sandwiches such as the Rachel (a variant of the Reuben) and on hot dogs. 

Well, let’s learn how to prepare this Brazilian coleslaw!

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE COLESLAW (BRAZILIAN-STYLE)  

Combine finely-shredded kale, chopped red onion, coleslaw mix (with red cabbage and carrots), and bacon if desired in a large bowl.

Add olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, minced garlic cloves, honey or sugar, salt, and pepper in a jar. Seal and shake until well combined.

Toss salad with vinaigrette and serve in sandwiches, on hot dogs, or with barbecued meats. 

HOW TO CLEAN AND CUT KALE

Wash the kale (or collard greens) under cold running water. Shake to remove the excess water.

With a sharp knife or your hands, cut off the leaves from their tough stems. Gather the leaves together into piles. Take each pile and roll it tightly.

Cut them into thin strips crosswise (about 1/4-inch strips).

PIN & ENJOY!

5 from 2 votes

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The Best Homemade Coleslaw (Brazilian-Style)

Brazilian Homemade Coleslaw is a fresh, colorful salad made with kale, onions, and coleslaw mix, tossed with a lime-garlic vinaigrette. A must for all year round, including as a side for barbecued meats. 

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Brazilian

Keyword Brazilian coleslaw, homemade coleslaw

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 8

Calories 146 kcal

Author Denise Browning

Ingredients

• 1/2 bunch kale, thinly sliced (about 8 large leaves)
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 12 oz coleslaw mix (green and red cabbage plus carrots)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley (whole leaves)
• 4 precooked bacon strips, chopped (and brushed with honey) (optional)
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 TBSP fresh lime juice
• 2 TBSP red wine vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 TBSP honey or sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Combine finely-sliced kale, red onion, coleslaw mix, cilantro/parsley, and bacon if desired in a large bowl.

    

2. Add olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, minced garlic cloves, honey or sugar, salt, and pepper in a jar. Seal and shake until well combined. Toss salad with vinaigrette. Serve in sandwiches, on hot dogs, or with barbecued meats. 

Recipe Notes

• HOW TO CLEAN AND CUT KALE: Wash the kale (or collard greens) under cold running water. Shake to remove the excess water. With a sharp knife or your hands, cut off the leaves from their tough stems. Gather them together into piles. Take each pile and roll it tightly. Cut them into thin strips crosswise (about 1/4-inch strips).
• If you prefer a mayonnaise-based dressing instead, replace olive oil for a good-quality mayo (1/2 cup) and skip the red wine vinegar. Follow the rest of the recipe whisking all the ingredients for the dressing very well.   
• Love greens? Try our warm Pan-Fried Collard Greens. 

Nutrition Facts

The Best Homemade Coleslaw (Brazilian-Style)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 146 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Sodium 157mg7%

Potassium 121mg3%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 885IU18%

Vitamin C 27.1mg33%

Calcium 31mg3%

Iron 0.4mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.