My warm red cabbage coleslaw is an easy side dish that you’ll want to make on repeat. It’s loaded with flavor, texture, and totally addicting!
My obsession with coleslaw is real, y’all. I’ll take it any way I can get it, but the first time I had a warm “slaw”, it changed my life. I just loved the crunchy, warm textures in contrast to the cool, creamy sauce – and I’ve been making every variation I can think of since. Give my warm red cabbage coleslaw and try and thank me later!
Bacon makes everything better!
The dressing is what makes it! Think warm bacon dressing – but better. Cook the bacon until it’s crispy (or not – for those of you who like it chewy), and use the fat left in the pan to wilt the veggies and flavor the dish.
The entire recipe can be done in about 15 minutes. You’re not fully cooking the cabbage and kale. This is a coleslaw, so a few minutes of cooking is all that’s required. While the bacon is cooking, chop the veggies, give them a quick sauté, add the dressing, pine nuts, and blue cheese, and serve it up!
We love it alongside grilled steak, chicken, or on its own. There’s plenty of protein from the bacon, blue cheese, and pine nuts to make a quick and tasty low-carb meal! If you’re following a keto lifestyle, you’ll love this dish. One of the things I missed the most when I was eating super low carb was texture. You won’t miss that a bit with this dish – promise!
Red cabbage coleslaw is the perfect summer side dish!
I prefer to use red (purple) cabbage for both color and texture, but you could also use green or Napa cabbage. Keep in mind that they will wilt much quicker, so the cooking time will be even less.
The blue cheese adds a deliciously creamy, pungent layer of flavor to the slaw, but feel free to leave it out if you’re not a fan. Goat cheese would be a great substitution!
Pine nuts add a buttery, rich flavor that I can’t get enough of. I can’t stress enough how important it is to take a few extra minutes to toast them. It intensifies their flavor and makes them even more delicious!
I use apple cider vinegar, but balsamic would also work if you want it a little sweeter.
To prep the kale, cut out the middle rib, slice the leaves in half, stack them up, and cut into 1/2″ wide strips.
Serve this with:
Did you try this recipe?
- Leave us a comment or rating below!
- Tag and hashtag us on Instagram @nashvillemade #nashvillemadefood
- Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook
- Sign up here to receive our weekly roundup in your inbox.

Warm Red Cabbage Coleslaw with Bacon & Blue Cheese
Plain Everything Recipe IndexIngredients
- 1/2 head small purple cabbage very thinly sliced
- 12 large Lacinato dinosaur kale leaves, sliced into ribbons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided order here
- 1-2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar order here
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts order here
- Chopped chives optional
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together one tablespoon of the olive oil, the vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Add the remaining olive oil to a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the cabbage and cook it for approximately 4-5 minutes.
- When the cabbage is wilted but still crunchy, add the kale and stir for about 1 minute.
- Remove the pan from the heat and drizzle on the dressing.
- Stir to combine and taste. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with the blue cheese, pine nuts, and chives just before serving.