Cowboy Coleslaw – Plain Chicken

Cowboy Coleslaw Recipe – a bold and zesty twist on a classic! Packed with crunchy cabbage, black beans, sweet corn, jalapeños, and a tangy lime dressing, it’s the perfect side for BBQ, tacos, burgers, or grilled chicken. Light, fresh, and full of flavor—this coleslaw is a must-try for your next cookout!

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Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe

Cowboy Coleslaw is a bold, zesty twist on the classic, packed with crunchy veggies and a punch of smoky, tangy flavor. The crisp cabbage, sweet corn, and black beans create the perfect texture, while a tangy dressing with a kick of lime and a touch of spice ties everything together. Fresh cilantro and jalapeños add a little heat. It’s the perfect side for barbecue, tacos, or burgers—light, fresh, and loaded with flavor in every bite!

How to Make Cowboy Coleslaw

This side dish is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, pureed chipotle in adobo sauce, taco seasoning, and cumin in a large bowl. Add shredded coleslaw mix, black beans, corn kernels, red bell pepper, and jalapeno peppers and stir to combine. Add chopped cilantro and green onions and toss to coat—season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• I use a bag of store-bought coleslaw mix with chopped green cabbage, carrots, and red cabbage.
  • You can substitute shredded cabbage and carrots.
• Here is our recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning made with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/
• Make sure to use a high-quality mayo such as Duke’s or Hellman’s in the coleslaw dressing.
• Get creative with the veggies in this dish:
  • pinto beans
  • yellow onion
  • diced green chilies
  • diced tomatoes
• Store leftover slaw in an airtight container in the fridge.

What to Serve with Cowboy Coleslaw

This easy coleslaw recipe is a staple at all of our cookouts and potlucks. Everyone gobbles it up! Cowboy Coleslaw is the perfect side for anything hot off the grill! 

• It pairs perfectly with smoky barbecue ribs, juicy burgers, or grilled chicken, adding a fresh and zesty crunch to balance out all that hearty goodness. 
• It’s also a great match for tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, or even a big plate of nachos. 
• If you’re keeping it simple, serve it alongside baked beans, cornbread, or roasted sweet potatoes for a full, flavor-packed meal. 
• And if you want to take it up a notch, try topping it on a BBQ brisket sandwich for an extra kick of crunch and tang!

Steph