20 Recipes That Start With a Bag of Coleslaw Mix

By Mary Claire Lagroue

Big Red

When you buy a bag of coleslaw mix, the question isn't whether to whip up vinegar- or mayo-based slaw. The question is whether you'll make coleslaw at all. Trust us, we're very much Team Coleslaw here. (Take our hundreds of recipes as proof.) But we relish new ideas for those ever-convenient bags of shredded cabbage. From hearty stews to zippy salads, here are our favorite ways to use coleslaw mix.

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The Best Chicken Salad Ever

Chris Slaughter

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When you have about 1/4 cup of coleslaw mix left, make the most of it by making The Best Chicken Salad Ever. You can't beat the crunch.

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Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

SunnyDaysNora

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Who knew broccoli slaw mix could be the secret to stir fry? Don't let this easy recipe's 50-minute cook time discourage you from making it. A 30- to 45-minute chunk of that is the squash baking in the oven until it's tender enough to shred into spaghetti-like strands.

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Keto Beef Egg Roll Slaw

Big Red

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"Delicious! I used pork and topped it with a tiny bit of fried wonton strips, which I know isn't Keto," Cheryl Leary says. "But it was very tasty. It was just the right amount of spicy, and I will make this again."

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Bacon Okonomiyaki

whitney

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Recipe creator Whitney calls this an Americanized take on okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake filled with veggies: "It can be customized to your liking, but I prefer to keep mine simple." Since you're shredding the cabbage anyway, you might as well use a bag of coleslaw mix here.

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Broccoli and Ramen Noodle Salad

SunnyDaysNora

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When you're craving crunch, this salad delivers with slaw mix, ramen, unsalted peanuts, and sunflower seeds. A sweet vinaigrette tops it off.

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Portable Chinese Chicken Salad

18868

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"This is my middle son's very favorite salad -- so much so, he requested that it be served at his graduation open house last June where it went over famously! The only change I made was substituting white vinegar and sugar for the called for items. No difference noted," Susan Sunderman says.

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Chicken Mango Salsa Salad with Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette

Occasional Cooker

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"A delicious, colorful, sweet, and spicy salad with diced chicken, mango pico de gallo salsa, blue cheese, and cranberries in a wonderful chipotle-lime vinaigrette. It's almost too pretty to eat. Almost," says recipe creator Occasional Cooker.

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Thai Chicken Broccoli Slaw

SunnyDaysNora

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Sesame oil and peanut sauce lend this skillet dinner a toasty, Thai-inspired flavor. You can use cabbage or broccoli slaw here.

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Beefy Cabbage Stew

lutzflcat

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"I tried this recipe since I'd never thought to make a stew with coleslaw mix. I liked the different textures of beans, beef, and cabbage," Denise Y. says. "I added additional spices to perk it up, and my hubby really enjoyed it."

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Catfish Po Boy

pelicangal

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"Quick and easy just the right amount of heat," San says. "The fish was crispy, and adding coleslaw gave it that pop and sweet crunch. Yummy!"

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Timesaver Kale Slaw

Phoebe

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True to its name, this salad takes just 15 minutes to make. You can thank the coleslaw mix.

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Golompke (Beef and Cabbage Casserole)

CookinCyn

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"Delicious and easy recipe that has the taste of cabbage rolls! A bag of slaw mix from the produce section, some ground beef along with several other ingredients and you have a fabulous dinner," Debby Allen says.

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Thai Shrimp and Cabbage

CookinBug

"This spicy shrimp is absolutely wonderful served over shredded cabbage. When I'm in a hurry, I use packaged coleslaw mix instead," says recipe creator Beth Malchiodi. "It's a welcome change from rice."

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Weeknight Crack Slaw

Matt Wencl

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"When you get home from work, you hardly want a big production for dinner. That's when this recipe can be your standby. Cook your ground turkey, then add veggies, coleslaw mix, and sauce and in 10 minutes you've got a hearty meal for everyone to enjoy," Matt Wencl says.

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Pittsburgh Football Sunday Pasta Salad

Molly

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Slaw mix, tomatoes, cucumber, canned tuna, and cheese turn pasta salad from a side to a balanced meal.

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Grilled Cheese and Veggie Sandwich

Allrecipes

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"In a million years, I never would have thought to put coleslaw mix on my grilled cheese," says Sondran. "I figured I would give it a shot, and I am so glad I did! I liked the creaminess of the cheese then the crispness of the slaw mix. I will definitely be adding it to my grilled cheeses from now on!"

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Thai Chicken Slaw Burgers

Sheila LaLonde

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Sweet, tangy slaw complements spiced chicken sandwiches. Season with red pepper flakes for extra heat, recommends reviewer Linda T.

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Kai's Chicken Potstickers

Soup Loving Nicole

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Replace 1 cup finely shredded carrots and 3/4 cup finely shredded cabbage with a bag of coleslaw mix, and you're golden. Just like these potstickers.

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Sweet and Crunchy Salad

MCabrera75

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With mandarin oranges, water chestnuts, and slaw in the mix, this salad tastes light but satisfying. "It was heaven from the first bite," Mari Boyd says. "Adding fresh cilantro really gives it a wonderful flavor."

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Spicy Veggie Cabbage Soup

Candice

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"Just love this soup. I developed it to use up small quantities of veggies, and we fell in love with the flavors. For a less spicy soup, use regular Italian sausage. For more heat, add some cayenne pepper and/or crushed red pepper flakes," Phyllis Trinke Funk says.

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