Vegan Chipotle Coleslaw - an Easy Gluten-free Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

Behold – delicious vegan chipotle coleslaw that’s made from easy to find ingredients, is naturally gluten-free, and comes together in no time! In case you already have a go-to vegan coleslaw recipe, give this one a try when you’re looking for a spicier kick.

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Honestly, this chipotle coleslaw recipe is so simple that even though I’ve been making it for years, I never thought of it as of something serious enough to be posted here on the blog. (That’s a recurring story with a lot of my recipes on Vegan Runner Eats – my vegan balsamic pasta is an example 😃 )

But since my goal on this website is to share easy plant-based recipes, recently I decided to give it a go.

With all the summer cookouts coming up (hello 4th of July barbecue parties!), this chipotle coleslaw is one of the perfect vegan-friendly dishes that both vegans and omnivores would enjoy. Check out my Italian-style vegan macaroni salad and my easy vegan poppy seed coleslaw that are always welcome at summer BBQ parties too.

By the way, if you’re looking for more summer party-friendly vegan foods, check out my list of 36 vegan summer recipes that are perfect for BBQ parties, potlucks, etc.

Why did I decide to make chipotle coleslaw, you may ask? I don’t remember the exact moment I got an idea for this recipe, but I’m sure it had something to do with taco nights that regularly happen at our home.

Other fillings I made might have turned out a bit bland, so I must have decided to mix my creamy vegan chipotle dressing with some shredded cabbage to brighten up the flavors. And this is (probably) how the legend was born.

Watch me make a delicious vegan BBQ tofu sandwich using this chipotle coleslaw recipe on my live-streamed vegan cooking show on YouTube:

This vegan chipotle coleslaw is:

• delicious
• creamy
• crunchy
• spicy
• smoky
• slightly tangy
• quick to make
• made with easy to find ingredients
• great as a standalone side dish, or as a topping for tacos, fajitas, veggie sandwiches, wraps, etc.

How to Make Vegan Chipotle Coleslaw

My vegan chipotle coleslaw recipe is quite easy. First, you shred some cabbage, carrots, and red radishes (radishes are optional). See the exact proportions in the recipe card below.

Next, you mix the shredded vegetables with the creamy chipotle dressing in a large bowl. Serve right away, or refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

How to Make a Dressing for Vegan Chipotle Coleslaw

For this recipe I use my creamy chipotle dressing that’s made from vegan mayo, good chipotle powder, smoked paprika, a dash of liquid smoke, and some lemon juice. The exact proportions can be seen in the recipe card below.

I find that different liquid smoke brands can lead to different results flavor-wise. I’ve tried a few, and this one is my favorite liquid smoke brand today (Amazon link).

I use this chipotle dressing in lots of other ways. It makes a great creamy salad dressing for my chili taco salad, or an aioli for veggie burgers. It can be used as a deliciously spicy crema sauce to add a flavorful kick to tacos or burritos.

What to Serve with Chipotle Coleslaw

I love serving this chipotle coleslaw alongside my vegan fajita filling with soy curls or my crispy vegan taquitos with Instant Pot pinto bean filling and some delicious ripe avocado slices. Wrap all these in a warm tortilla, and feel your taste buds doing a happy dance 🙂

If you’re in the mood for homemade tacos but are pressed for time and/or ingredients, this chipotle coleslaw will work great served alongside canned chickpeas. To assemble your tacos, put some drained and rinsed chickpeas on a small tortilla, top with my spicy vegan coleslaw, and voilà!

Of course, this coleslaw can be served as a standalone side dish for any of your comfort food favorites: burgers, hot dogs, homemade BBQ seitan, roasted BBQ chickpeas, and even vegan mashed potatoes!

How to Store Vegan Chipotle Coleslaw

This chipotle coleslaw can be refrigerated in an air-tight container for 2-3 days. You may notice that cabbage and radishes might release some juices over time. In this case, just toss everything together right before serving.

I hope you enjoy my vegan chipotle coleslaw recipe as much as we do in our family!

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