Creamy Papaya Cole Slaw

Creamy Papaya Coleslaw is a delightful and vibrant side dish that adds a burst of flavor and freshness to any meal. This coleslaw is a fusion of crisp vegetables and a creamy papaya dressing, resulting in a colorful and refreshing salad that’s perfect for warm weather gatherings, picnics, or as a zesty accompaniment to grilled meats, seafood, or sandwiches.

A Tropical Twist: At the heart of this coleslaw is the tropical allure of ripe papaya. The papaya’s vibrant orange hue and sweet, tropical flavor infuse every bite with a burst of sunshine. It’s the star of the show, bringing a unique twist to the classic coleslaw recipe.

Creamy Papaya Dressing: The creamy papaya dressing is the secret behind the coleslaw’s irresistible flavor. Made by blending ripe papaya with mayonnaise, honey, fresh lime juice, and a hint of lime zest, the dressing offers a delicate balance of sweetness and citrusy zing. It’s a marriage of creamy richness and tropical brightness that coats each ingredient with lusciousness.

Crisp and Colorful Vegetables: This coleslaw is not just about the dressing; it’s also about the crisp and colorful vegetables that make it a visual and gastronomic delight. Finely shredded green cabbage provides a sturdy and satisfying base, while grated carrots add a sweet crunch. Thinly sliced red bell peppers bring a mild, slightly fruity note to the mix. The combination of these vegetables creates a symphony of textures and flavors.

A Touch of Zing: To elevate the coleslaw’s flavor profile, fresh cilantro and thinly sliced red onion are added to the mix. The cilantro adds a burst of freshness and herbaceousness, while the red onion contributes a touch of zing and vibrant color. These ingredients harmonize with the papaya dressing, creating a well-rounded and dynamic coleslaw.

Chilled Perfection: After tossing all the ingredients together and ensuring they are well coated with the creamy papaya dressing, the coleslaw is chilled in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This short resting period allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a coleslaw that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

Versatile Pairing: Tropical Papaya Coleslaw is an incredibly versatile side dish. Its bright and refreshing character makes it a fantastic complement to grilled chicken, shrimp, or fish, especially a dish like Crispy Beer-Battered Cusk. It’s equally at home next to a pulled pork sandwich or as a topping for tacos. The coleslaw’s ability to balance flavors and textures means it can enhance a wide range of main courses.

Visual Appeal: Aside from its delightful taste, this coleslaw also boasts visual appeal. The vibrant orange of the papaya dressing contrasts beautifully with the green cabbage, red bell peppers, and red onions, creating a rainbow of colors on your plate. It’s a feast for the eyes that’s as inviting as it is delicious.

In every spoonful of Tropical Papaya Coleslaw, you’ll experience the perfect marriage of creamy and crispy, sweet and zesty, tropical and tangy. It’s a coleslaw that elevates any meal with its unique blend of flavors and a refreshing twist on tradition. Whether enjoyed at a summer picnic or served alongside your favorite dishes, this coleslaw is a testament to the magic that happens when fresh ingredients come together in perfect harmony.

Creamy Papaya Cole Slaw

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: SidesCuisine: New AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

40

minutes

Creamy Papaya Coleslaw is a refreshing salad that combines crisp green cabbage, sweet papaya, vibrant red bell peppers, zesty red onions, and fresh cilantro, all coated in a creamy, tangy papaya dressing.

Ingredients

• 1 head of cabbage, finely shredded

• 1 large carrot, grated

• 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 small red onion, diced

• 1/4 cup cilantro, freshly chopped

• 1 cup ripe papaya, diced

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 1 teaspoon lime zest

• to taste, salt and ground black pepper

Directions

• Prepare the Creamy Papaya Dressing:
  In a blender or food processor, combine the pureed papaya, mayonnaise, honey, fresh lime juice, and grated lime zest. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This will be your tropical papaya dressing.
• Combine the Vegetables:
  In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely shredded cabbage, grated carrot, thinly sliced red bell pepper, chopped cilantro, and diced red onion.
• Toss and Coat the Coleslaw:
  Pour the creamy papaya dressing over the coleslaw mixture. Toss everything together until the vegetables are well coated with the dressing.
• Chill:
  Cover the coleslaw and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Serve:
  Serve your Tropical Papaya Coleslaw chilled as a refreshing side dish or as a complement to grilled meats, seafood, or sandwiches. It’s wonderful with Crispy Beer-Battered Cusk.