This quick and easy healthy Artichoke and Red Bell Pepper Coleslaw, a unique, creamy, and tangy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar, caraway seed, and jarred artichokes and roasted red bell peppers. It is gluten-free and Weight Watchers friendly (@ 1 WW point), and sure to spruce up your plate! I don't ever recall getting excited about coleslaw. Don't get me wrong - I love the stuff, but it can also be boring. It's one of those dishes that is always just there, on the side of your plate, non-threatening and reliable. But sometimes you don't want boring old coleslaw. I wanted a unique healthy coleslaw, so that's why I came up with this healthy, something different from the usual..
My Mom makes a pretty darn good coleslaw, and her magic ingredient is caraway seed. So I've incorporated that yumminess into this Artichoke and Red Bell Pepper Slaw recipe. It changes things up nicely. Okay, now you can get excited about coleslaw!
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If you're looking for more coleslaw to get excited about, try my Weight Watchers Slaw Recipe! With yummy asian- inspired flavors, it's 0 ww points!
🥘 Ingredient Notes
Although coleslaw is typically healthy, the creamier recipes can be high in calories and fat. That's why apple cider vinegar coleslaw is a great choice for making a healthy coleslaw dressing! This recipe also contains a little low-fat mayonnaise, so you don't miss the creaminess.
For this healthy coleslaw recipe, you'll need:
- Mayonnaise. I use Hellman's ½ the fat because it tastes great!
- Coleslaw Mix. You can also use broccoli slaw, regular coleslaw, or rainbow salad. (I use rainbow salad and regular coleslaw in the photos) .
- Caraway seed. Caraway seed has an intense, bittersweet flavor often described as a combination of anise, dill, and fennel, which adds a great flavor to this coleslaw! You can sprinkle a TINY bit of caraway seed on for a garnish as well, but more is less when it comes to caraway seed. The flavor can really overwhelm, so be careful not to use too much!
- Roasted red pepper (from a jar). I use Mezzetta brand because they taste great! But you can use any brand of roasted red bell peppers (also known as roasted red sweet peppers).
- Marinated artichoke hearts (from a jar). You can use any brand from a can or a jar.
*Please see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Caraway seeds - Celery seed is a good substitute.
- Roasted Red Peppers - You could make your own roasted red peppers.
🔪How to Make Artichoke and Red Pepper Slaw
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, apple cider vinegar, and light mayonnaise.
- Step 2: Add coleslaw mix, artichokes, red pepper, caraway seeds, and dressing to the bowl.
- Step 3: Stir until combined.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Make It Ahead for Better Flavor: This coleslaw actually tastes better after it sits in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. The dressing has time to soak into the veggies, enhancing the overall flavor. Just be sure to stir it well before serving.
- Dry Your Veggies Well: After draining the artichokes and roasted red peppers, pat them dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can water down the dressing and make the coleslaw soggy.
- Don't Overdo the Caraway Seed: A little goes a long way-caraway has a strong, distinct flavor that can easily overpower the salad. If you're unsure, start with half the amount and taste before adding more.
- Use Pre-Shredded Slaw for Convenience: Bagged slaw mixes (like rainbow salad or broccoli slaw) save time and are a great way to get a variety of textures and colors without extra prep.
- Customize the Texture: If you prefer a finer texture, give the mix a few pulses in a food processor. This can help the slaw work better as a sandwich topping (especially on burgers or pulled pork).
- Brighten It Up: For an extra pop of freshness, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or dill just before serving.
- Serve It More Than One Way: This slaw is delicious not only as a side dish but also as a topping for sandwiches, burgers, tacos, or grilled proteins like chicken or fish.
🥗What to serve with Artichoke & Bell Pepper Slaw
Coleslaw is all fine and well on the side of your plate, but in the last couple of years, I have discovered even yummier uses for it, like on my Pulled Pork on a Bun, on Air Fryer Salmon Burgers, on this Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, (shown) and in my Healthy Fish Tacos (with broccoli slaw)!
However, this Weight Watchers Coleslaw stands alone just as nicely and makes a great side for this Fried Chicken (without buttermilk), Tuna Burgers (with canned tuna), and Turkey Sloppy Joes!
👪 Serving Size
This healthy broccoli slaw recipe serves 6. However, you can cut it in half (if you have a smaller group) or double or triple it for a larger group. Simply click on the blue serving size in the recipe card, select the number of servings, and the recipe amounts will adjust accordingly.
🔢WW Points
This low-fat coleslaw recipe is Weight Watchers friendly at 1 ww point!
🌡️Storing
You can store this healthy coleslaw recipe for up to 3 days (in a sealed container) in the fridge.
❔ Recipe FAQs
Although it's evolved over time, nowadays, the word slaw is no longer limited to just coleslaw and pretty much includes any type of dressed salad with shredded vegetables. However, the term originally came from the Dutch term koolsla, meaning cabbage salad. Kool is the Dutch word for cabbage, and the sla part is a Dutch abbreviation of the word salade. If you are interested, you can read more about the history of coleslaw HERE.
Yes, you can make this coleslaw up to a day in advance. In fact, allowing it to sit in the fridge for a few hours helps the flavors meld beautifully. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
If you're not a fan of artichokes, you can substitute them with chopped hearts of palm, zucchini ribbons, or even extra roasted red peppers for a different twist.
So, if you're looking for healthy artichoke recipes or you just want to get excited about coleslaw, then make this tangy Artichoke and Red Pepper Coleslaw! Healthy coleslaw is also a great side dish for a picnic.
And if you love this artichoke and roasted red bell pepper combination, try my Prosciutto Eggs Benedict (with Artichoke & Red Pepper Hollandaise Sauce)
🥗More Healthy Side Salads!
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📋 Artichoke and Red Bell Pepper Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. light mayonnaise * I use Hellmann's light
- 340 g (12 oz. pkg) of broccoli slaw, coleslaw or rainbow salad
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon caraway seed
- 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup roasted red peppers from jar, well-drained, patted dry and finely chopped (I use Mezzetta brand)
- ⅔ cup marinated artichoke hearts from jar, well- drained, patted dry and finely chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, apple cider vinegar and light mayonnaise.
- Mix broccoli slaw, artichoke, red pepper and caraway seed together, then mix in dressing and stir until combined.
Garnish:
- You can sprinkle a TINY bit of caraway seed on for a garnish, but more is less when it comes to caraway seed. The flavor can overwhelm, so be careful not to use too much!
Notes
- Make It Ahead for Better Flavor: This coleslaw actually tastes better after it sits in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. The dressing has time to soak into the veggies, enhancing the overall flavor. Just be sure to stir it well before serving.
- Dry Your Veggies Well: After draining the artichokes and roasted red peppers, pat them dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can water down the dressing and make the coleslaw soggy.
- Don't Overdo the Caraway Seed: A little goes a long way-caraway has a strong, distinct flavor that can easily overpower the salad. If you're unsure, start with half the amount and taste before adding more.
- Use Pre-Shredded Slaw for Convenience: Bagged slaw mixes (like rainbow salad or broccoli slaw) save time and are a great way to get a variety of textures and colors without extra prep.
- Customize the Texture: If you prefer a finer texture, give the mix a few pulses in a food processor. This can help the slaw work better as a sandwich topping (especially on burgers or pulled pork).
- Brighten It Up: For an extra pop of freshness, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or dill just before serving.
- Serve It More Than One Way: This slaw is delicious not only as a side dish but also as a topping for sandwiches, burgers, tacos, or grilled proteins like chicken or fish.
Barbara Garmon
Coleslaw is often provided at restaurants as a side dish for Fried chicken. But we feel bored by it tasting same always. You have made it very tasty with your recipe. It's the first time I have seen someone experimenting with coleslaw recipe. I hope this recipe would give an interesting taste to coleslaw. All the wishes for your new recipes!
Terri Gilson
Thanks Barbara! I hope you enjoy it?